Smart animate in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Smart animate

Goal

Understand how to use Smart Animate in Figma to create smooth transitions between dashboard states, making data changes easy to follow.

Sample Data

Month	Sales Q1	Sales Q2
January	100	150
February	200	180
March	300	250

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Displays total sales for selected quarter.
  Formula: Total Sales = SUM(Sales Q1) or SUM(Sales Q2)
  Example: Q1 total = 600, Q2 total = 580
• Bar Chart: Shows monthly sales for selected quarter.
  Bars animate smoothly between Q1 and Q2 data using Smart Animate.
• Quarter Selector: A toggle button to switch between Q1 and Q2 views.
  Triggers Smart Animate transition on KPI and Bar Chart.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      KPI Card        |   Quarter Selector    |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart               |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

The Quarter Selector toggles between Q1 and Q2 data. When toggled:

• The KPI Card updates total sales number.
• The Bar Chart updates monthly sales bars.
• Smart Animate creates smooth transitions for number changes and bar heights.

This helps users see how sales changed from Q1 to Q2 without abrupt jumps.

Self Check

If you switch the quarter selector from Q1 to Q2, which components update and how?

• KPI Card: Updates total sales number from 600 to 580 with a smooth number transition.
• Bar Chart: Bars animate smoothly from Q1 heights to Q2 heights.
• Quarter Selector: Visual toggle changes state.

This confirms Smart Animate is working to create smooth, understandable changes.

Key Result

A Figma dashboard prototype demonstrating Smart Animate to smoothly transition sales data between Q1 and Q2 views.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Smart animate in Figma prototypes?

easy

A. To change the background color of frames instantly

B. To add sound effects to prototypes

C. To create smooth transitions by matching layers between frames

D. To export designs as images

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Smart Animate function

   Smart animate matches layers between frames to create smooth transitions.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Other options describe unrelated features like sound or export, not animation.

3. Final Answer:

   To create smooth transitions by matching layers between frames -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Smart animate = smooth layer transitions [OK]

Hint: Remember: Smart animate matches layers for smooth moves [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Smart animate with instant frame changes
• Thinking it adds sounds or exports files
• Ignoring the need for matching layer names

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enable Smart animate between two frames in Figma?

easy

A. Set the transition type to 'Smart animate' in the prototype tab

B. Rename all layers to random names

C. Disable all animations in the prototype settings

D. Export frames as PNG files

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate prototype transition settings

   In Figma, you enable Smart animate by choosing it as the transition type between frames.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Renaming layers randomly or disabling animations prevents Smart animate; exporting is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Set the transition type to 'Smart animate' in the prototype tab -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enable Smart animate via transition type [OK]

Hint: Choose 'Smart animate' in prototype transitions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not selecting Smart animate as transition
• Changing layer names randomly
• Confusing export with animation settings

3. Given two frames with a rectangle named 'Box' in both, what will happen if you use Smart animate between them and change the rectangle's position from left to right?

medium

A. The rectangle will jump instantly to the new position

B. The animation will fail with an error

C. The rectangle will disappear and reappear

D. The rectangle will smoothly move from left to right

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify layer matching

   Both frames have a rectangle named 'Box', so Smart animate matches them.

2. Step 2: Understand Smart animate effect

   Smart animate smoothly transitions properties like position between matched layers.

3. Final Answer:

   The rectangle will smoothly move from left to right -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Matching layers animate smoothly [OK]

Hint: Matching layer names enable smooth movement [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting instant jumps instead of smooth moves
• Assuming layers disappear if names match
• Thinking animation causes errors without reason

4. You set up Smart animate between two frames, but the animation looks jumpy and not smooth. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Smart animate is not supported in Figma

B. Layer names do not match between frames

C. You used the correct layer names

D. You disabled the prototype mode

Solution

1. Step 1: Check layer naming consistency

   Smart animate requires layers to have the same names to match and animate smoothly.

2. Step 2: Identify cause of jumpy animation

   If names differ, layers don't match, causing jumpy or instant changes instead of smooth animation.

3. Final Answer:

   Layer names do not match between frames -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Matching names = smooth animation [OK]

Hint: Ensure layer names match exactly for smooth animation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring layer name mismatches
• Believing Smart animate is unsupported
• Forgetting to enable prototype mode

5. You want to create a prototype where a button smoothly changes color and moves position when clicked. Which steps should you follow to use Smart animate correctly?

hard

A. Name the button layer the same in both frames, change its color and position, then set transition to Smart animate

B. Rename the button differently in each frame and use instant transition

C. Duplicate the button layer with different names and disable animation

D. Export the frames as images and link them without animation

Solution

1. Step 1: Ensure consistent layer naming

   Name the button layer exactly the same in both frames to enable matching.

2. Step 2: Modify properties and set Smart animate

   Change the button's color and position in the second frame, then select Smart animate as the transition.

3. Final Answer:

   Name the button layer the same in both frames, change its color and position, then set transition to Smart animate -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Consistent names + property changes + Smart animate = smooth effect [OK]

Hint: Keep layer names same and set Smart animate transition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using different layer names prevents animation
• Choosing instant instead of Smart animate transition
• Exporting frames instead of prototyping