Smart Animate
Create smooth, automatic animations between frames by matching layer names and identical properties.
Prototyping
No shortcutAdvanced12 min readQuick Reference
Smart Animate
FigmaKeyboard Shortcut
N/A
Toolbar Location
Figma toolbar
Best Used For
- ▸Refer to the tutorial content for specific use cases
- ▸Practice with sample projects to build experience
- ▸Combine with other tools for advanced workflows
Advanced⏱ 1–2 hours to master
Key Settings
Name layers:Connect:Easing:Duration:
Smart Animate automatically animates changes between two frames by identifying layers with the same name. It interpolates position, size, rotation, opacity, and fill color for smooth transitions.
Where to Find It
Enable Smart Animate in the Prototype tab when creating a connection between two frames. Select Smart Animate from the Animation dropdown.
How to Use
- Name layers: Ensure both frames have layers with identical names for the animation to work.
- Connect: Create a prototype connection and select Smart Animate as the transition.
- Easing: Choose an easing curve — Ease In-Out for natural motion, Linear for mechanical movement.
- Duration: Set the animation duration in milliseconds (200-500ms for standard UI transitions).
Pro Tips
- Duplicate a frame and make changes — Smart Animate will animate the differences perfectly.
- Use Smart Animate for micro-interactions like button presses, tab switches, and card expansions.