Pen tool for custom paths in Figma - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding Anchor Points with the Pen Tool

When using the Pen tool in Figma to create a custom path, what does an anchor point represent?

A A fixed point that defines the start or end of a path segment

B A color fill applied to the shape

C A shortcut key to switch tools

D A layer style applied to the path

💡 Hint

Think about what defines the shape's outline.

An anchor point is a fixed point on the canvas that marks where a path segment begins or ends. It controls the shape's structure.

❓ dax_lod_result

intermediate

Calculating Total Length of a Custom Path

You created a custom path with the Pen tool in Figma and exported the coordinates. Which DAX measure correctly calculates the total length of the path assuming you have a table 'PathPoints' with columns 'X' and 'Y' ordered by 'PointOrder'?

Figma

PathPoints = 
DATATABLE(
  "PointOrder", INTEGER,
  "X", FLOAT,
  "Y", FLOAT,
  {
    {1, 0, 0},
    {2, 3, 4},
    {3, 6, 0}
  }
)

A TotalLength = SUMX(PathPoints, SQRT(POWER(PathPoints[X] - EARLIER(PathPoints[X]), 2) + POWER(PathPoints[Y] - EARLIER(PathPoints[Y]), 2)))

B TotalLength = SUMX(PathPoints, VAR PrevX = CALCULATE(MAX(PathPoints[X]), FILTER(PathPoints, PathPoints[PointOrder] = EARLIER(PathPoints[PointOrder]) - 1)) VAR PrevY = CALCULATE(MAX(PathPoints[Y]), FILTER(PathPoints, PathPoints[PointOrder] = EARLIER(PathPoints[PointOrder]) - 1)) RETURN SQRT(POWER(PathPoints[X] - PrevX, 2) + POWER(PathPoints[Y] - PrevY, 2)))

C TotalLength = SUMX(PathPoints, PathPoints[X] + PathPoints[Y])

D TotalLength = COUNTROWS(PathPoints)

💡 Hint

Think about how to calculate distance between consecutive points.

Option B calculates the distance between each point and the previous point, then sums these distances to get the total path length.

❓ visualization

advanced

Best Visualization for Custom Path Data

You have data points from a custom path created with the Pen tool. Which visualization best shows the shape and flow of the path in a BI dashboard?

A Bar chart showing X values only

B Pie chart of point counts

C Scatter plot without connecting lines

D Line chart connecting points in order

💡 Hint

Think about how to show a continuous shape.

A line chart connecting points in order shows the path shape clearly by linking points sequentially.

🔧 Formula Fix

advanced

Debugging a Broken Custom Path Visualization

You created a line chart to show a custom path but the shape looks broken with disconnected segments. What is the most likely cause?

A The points are not sorted by their order before plotting

B The color palette is incorrect

C The data contains duplicate X values

D The chart type is set to bar chart

💡 Hint

Think about how the line connects points.

If points are not sorted by their order, the line chart connects points in wrong sequence, breaking the shape.

❓ data_modeling

expert

Modeling Complex Custom Paths with Multiple Segments

You need to model multiple custom paths created with the Pen tool, each with several segments and anchor points. Which data model design best supports efficient querying and visualization?

A One flat table with only X and Y coordinates

B Separate tables for Paths, Segments, and Points without relationships

C One table with columns: PathID, SegmentID, PointOrder, X, Y

D Multiple tables with unrelated keys

💡 Hint

Think about how to organize hierarchical data for paths and segments.

A single table with PathID, SegmentID, and PointOrder allows clear hierarchy and easy filtering for visualization and analysis.

Practice

1. What does the Pen tool in Figma primarily allow you to do?

easy

A. Draw custom shapes by placing points and curves

B. Automatically generate charts from data

C. Import images into your design

D. Create text layers with different fonts

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the Pen tool's primary function

   The Pen tool is used to create custom shapes by placing points and curves. Options B, C, and D describe other Figma features unrelated to the Pen tool.

2. Final Answer:

   Draw custom shapes by placing points and curves -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Pen tool = Draw shapes [OK]

Hint: Pen tool = points + curves for shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Pen tool with text or image tools
• Thinking Pen tool auto-generates charts
• Assuming Pen tool only draws straight lines

2. Which action creates a curved point when using the Pen tool in Figma?

easy

A. Click once on the canvas

B. Right-click on the canvas

C. Click and drag on the canvas

D. Double-click on the canvas

Solution

1. Step 1: Determine how to create curved points with the Pen tool

   Clicking once places a straight point; clicking and dragging creates a curved point. Double-click and right-click do not create curves with the Pen tool.

2. Final Answer:

   Click and drag on the canvas -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Click+drag = curve point [OK]

Hint: Drag while clicking to curve points [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Clicking once expecting a curve
• Using double-click instead of drag
• Right-clicking to create points

3. What will happen if you use the Pen tool to place points at (0,0), (100,0), (100,100), and then close the path back to (0,0)?

medium

A. A square shape will be created

B. A triangle shape will be created

C. An open line will be drawn

D. A circle shape will be created

Solution

1. Step 1: Plot the points to determine the closed shape

   The points form corners at (0,0), (100,0), (100,100), and back to (0,0). This is three points forming a closed triangle shape, not a square.

2. Final Answer:

   A triangle shape will be created -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Closed path with three points = triangle [OK]

Hint: Close path with three points = triangle [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking three points make a square
• Assuming open path creates a shape
• Confusing square with triangle

4. You tried to create a curved path with the Pen tool but the curve looks sharp and not smooth. What is the most likely mistake?

medium

A. You closed the path before adding curves

B. You placed points too far apart

C. You used the wrong color for the path

D. You clicked instead of clicking and dragging to create curve handles

Solution

1. Step 1: Diagnose the cause of sharp curves

   Curves require clicking and dragging to create handles; clicking alone makes sharp corners. Closing path, color choice, or point distance do not affect curve smoothness directly.

2. Final Answer:

   You clicked instead of clicking and dragging to create curve handles -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   Click vs drag for curves = smoothness [OK]

Hint: Drag to curve, click only = sharp corner [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring drag for curves
• Blaming color or path closure
• Thinking point distance affects curve shape

5. You want to create a custom star shape using the Pen tool with smooth curves on each point. Which sequence of actions is best?

hard

A. Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment, finally close the path

B. Click and drag to place all points, then leave the path open

C. Click to place points and leave the path open for a star shape

D. Use the rectangle tool and then convert it to a star

Solution

1. Step 1: Outline the correct sequence for a smooth curved star

   Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment smoothly, finally close the path to complete the shape.

2. Final Answer:

   Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment, finally close the path -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Click + drag + close path = smooth star [OK]

Hint: Click points, drag curves, close path for shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Leaving path open for closed shapes
• Not dragging to create curves
• Using wrong tools for star shape