Vector editing mode in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Vector editing mode

Goal

Understand how to use vector editing mode in Figma to create and modify shapes for data visualization elements.

Sample Data

Month	Sales	Profit
January	100	30
February	150	50
March	200	70
April	180	60
May	220	80

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Displays total sales.
  Formula: Sum of Sales = 100 + 150 + 200 + 180 + 220 = 850
• Bar Chart: Shows monthly sales using rectangles.
  Vector shapes created and edited in vector editing mode to adjust bar heights proportional to sales values.
• Profit Line: A line shape created with vector editing mode connecting profit points over months.
• Legend: Vector shapes (circle and rectangle) edited to represent sales and profit colors.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      KPI Card        |      Legend          |
|  Total Sales: 850    |  ■ Sales (Blue)      |
|                      |  ● Profit (Green)    |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart (Sales)       |
|  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May                      |
|  █    ███  ████ ███  █████                     |
|                                              |
|               Profit Line Chart               |
|  ●----●-----●-----●-----●                      |
+----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filter by Month: Selecting a month updates the KPI card, bar chart, and profit line to show data only for that month.

Color toggle: Clicking legend shapes toggles visibility of sales bars or profit line.

Self Check

If you add a filter to show only March and April, which components update?

• KPI Card updates total sales to 200 + 180 = 380.
• Bar Chart shows bars only for March and April.
• Profit Line connects only profit points for March and April.
• Legend remains unchanged.

Key Result

A dashboard showing total sales, monthly sales bars, and profit line created and edited using vector editing mode in Figma.

Practice

1. What does Vector editing mode in Figma allow you to do?

easy

A. Move and adjust points and curves on shapes

B. Change the color of text layers

C. Add new pages to your Figma file

D. Export images in different formats

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Vector editing mode

   Vector editing mode is designed to let you change shapes by moving their points and curves.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the definition

   Only Move and adjust points and curves on shapes describes moving and adjusting points and curves, which matches the purpose of vector editing.

3. Final Answer:

   Move and adjust points and curves on shapes -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Vector editing mode = Move points and curves [OK]

Hint: Vector mode edits points and curves on shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing vector editing with color or text editing
• Thinking vector mode adds pages or exports files

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enter Vector editing mode in Figma?

easy

A. Right-click the canvas and select 'Vector mode'

B. Double-click the shape you want to edit

C. Press Ctrl + V on your keyboard

D. Click the 'Export' button in the toolbar

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to enter Vector editing mode

   You enter Vector editing mode by double-clicking the shape you want to edit.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   Only Double-click the shape you want to edit matches the correct method. Options A, C, and D do not trigger vector editing mode.

3. Final Answer:

   Double-click the shape you want to edit -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Enter vector mode = Double-click shape [OK]

Hint: Double-click shape to enter vector mode [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+V which pastes instead
• Looking for vector mode in right-click menu or export options

3. You double-click a star shape in Figma and drag one of its points. What happens?

medium

A. The point moves, changing the star's shape

B. The entire star moves on the canvas

C. The star's fill color changes

D. Nothing happens until you press Enter

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand double-clicking a shape

   Double-clicking enters Vector editing mode, allowing point adjustments.

2. Step 2: Effect of dragging a point in Vector mode

   Dragging a point moves that point, changing the shape's outline.

3. Final Answer:

   The point moves, changing the star's shape -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Drag point in vector mode = shape changes [OK]

Hint: Drag points in vector mode to reshape objects [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking dragging moves the whole shape instead of a point
• Expecting color changes from dragging points
• Believing changes require pressing Enter

4. You try to edit a shape's points but nothing happens. Which is the most likely reason?

medium

A. You are in Prototype mode instead of Design mode

B. You pressed Esc instead of double-clicking

C. You are editing a text layer, not a shape

D. You forgot to double-click the shape to enter Vector editing mode

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify why points don't move

   Points only move in Vector editing mode, which requires double-clicking the shape.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Pressing Esc exits vector mode, editing text layers doesn't allow point moves, and prototype mode disables editing but the main cause is not entering vector mode.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to double-click the shape to enter Vector editing mode -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   No vector mode = points don't move [OK]

Hint: Double-click shape first to edit points [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to edit points without entering vector mode
• Confusing Esc key as entry to vector mode
• Editing text instead of shapes

5. You want to customize a dashboard icon by reshaping it precisely. Which steps correctly use Vector editing mode?

hard

A. Right-click the icon, choose 'Edit Color', then drag points

B. Select the icon, press Delete, then redraw with the pen tool

C. Double-click the icon, drag points to reshape, then click outside to exit

D. Click the icon once, drag it to move, then press Esc

Solution

1. Step 1: Enter Vector editing mode correctly

   Double-click the icon to enter Vector editing mode for point editing.

2. Step 2: Modify points and exit properly

   Drag points to reshape, then click outside or press Esc to exit vector mode.

3. Final Answer:

   Double-click the icon, drag points to reshape, then click outside to exit -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Double-click + drag points + click outside = correct vector editing [OK]

Hint: Double-click, drag points, click outside to finish [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Deleting and redrawing instead of editing points
• Trying to edit color instead of shape points
• Dragging whole icon instead of points