What is Exclude in Figma: Explanation and Usage

In Figma, Exclude is a boolean operation that removes the overlapping area between two shapes, leaving only the non-overlapping parts visible. It helps create complex shapes by cutting out the intersection of layers.

How It Works

Think of Exclude like cutting out the shared part of two overlapping stickers on a window. When you apply Exclude to two shapes in Figma, it removes the area where they overlap, showing only the parts that don't touch each other.

This is useful when you want to create a shape that looks like two shapes combined but with the middle part missing. It’s like having two puzzle pieces that fit together but you want to see only the edges without the center where they meet.

Example

This example shows how to use the Exclude boolean operation on two overlapping circles in Figma.

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1. Draw two overlapping circles on the canvas.
2. Select both circles.
3. Click the <strong>Boolean Groups</strong> dropdown in the top menu.
4. Choose <code>Exclude</code> from the options.

Result: The overlapping area between the two circles disappears, leaving only the outer parts visible.

Output

A shape showing two circles with the middle overlapping part cut out, creating a hollow intersection.

When to Use

Use Exclude when you want to create complex shapes by removing the overlapping parts of two or more layers. It’s great for designing logos, icons, or custom shapes where you want to highlight the edges or create hollow spaces.

For example, if you want to design a ring shape, you can overlap two circles and use Exclude to cut out the center. Or if you want to create a unique icon by combining shapes but removing their intersection, Exclude is the right tool.

Key Points

• Exclude removes the overlapping area between shapes.
• It leaves only the non-overlapping parts visible.
• Useful for creating hollow or cut-out shapes.
• Works on any vector shapes or layers in Figma.
• Can be combined with other boolean operations for complex designs.

Key Takeaways

Exclude removes the overlapping area between two or more shapes in Figma.

It helps create complex shapes by showing only the non-overlapping parts.

Use it to design hollow shapes, rings, or custom icons with cut-out areas.

You can combine Exclude with other boolean operations for advanced designs.