Figma to Angular: 3 Methods Convert Guide
November 13, 2024•5 min read
With the rise of AI tools and converters after the release of ChatGPT, "AI-powered" has transformed from a trend to a must-have feature for any modern platform. Today, these tools even offer the ability to convert Figma designs directly into Angular code. But the question is — are they truly as useful as they seem?
In today's article, I will guide you through various methods for converting Figma designs to Angular, exploring both AI-driven tools and traditional coding approaches. We will discuss the pros and cons of each, mainly when applied to complex projects, so you can determine which option best suits your business needs.
By the end, you will understand which method offers the most value and sustainability for your project.
Let's explore the three methods to Convert Figma to Angular.
Method 1: Figmular
One of the fastest ways to convert Figma designs into Angular code is by using Figma plugins specifically designed for this purpose. One of them is Figmular, which aims to dramatically simplify and speed up converting Figma designs to Angular components with just a few clicks, allowing you to generate code directly from your design elements with minimal manual intervention.
How It Works
Figma plugins like Figmular enable you to select individual elements or entire frames within your design and export them as code snippets compatible with Angular. Here's a typical workflow:
- Install the Figmular Plugin: Add Figmular to your Figma account from the Figmular website. Note that the plugins are available in the Professional Figma Subscription.
- Prepare Your Designs: Ensure your Figma projects are well-organized with properly named layers and components.
- Select Elements: Choose the components or screens you want to convert.
- Configure Settings: Set your preferences for code output, such as styling options and component structures.
- Export Code: Generate the Angular code and import it into your development project.
Even though Figmular can save time during development, it often produces code that might not meet the quality standards required for larger, more complex applications. The lack of flexibility can hinder your ability to implement custom functionalities or optimize performance.
Tools like Figmular can be practical when you deal with a simple project or need to create a rapid prototype to visualize ideas. However, this method may not be the best fit where scalability, maintainability, and top-notch code are paramount.
Method 2: AI Exporters like Locofy to Convert Figma to Angular
Another way to convert Figma to Angular is by utilizing AI-powered exporters like Locofy. Locofy Plugin integrates with Figma, so you can seamlessly convert your designs right inside of Figma. You can also revise the decisions made by LocoAI to fine-tune the generated code to match your requirements.
Moreover, the AI engine can understand design patterns and user interactions, generating more sophisticated code than basic exporters.
How It Works?
LocoAI scans your design files and splits the code into reusable components with props enabling you to quickly generate modular code. It automatically detects similarly styled elements to combine classes and reduce redundancies, giving you cleaner CSS code. Here is how to implement Locofy:
- Access Locofy: Visit the Locofy website and sign up for an account. Note that access to certain features may require a subscription.
- Install the Locofy Plugin: Add the Locofy plugin to your Figma account from the Figma Community plugins library.
- Prepare Your Designs: Ensure your Figma projects are well-organized with properly named layers and components to help the AI interpret your designs accurately.
- Select Elements: Choose the components or screens you want to convert.
- Configure Settings: Set your preferences for code output, such as styling options, component structures, and Angular-specific configurations.
- Export Code: Use Locofy's AI capabilities to generate the Angular code and import it into your development project.
AI-powered tools like Locofy can accelerate the initial development by quickly converting Figma designs into Angular components. However, the generated code may lack the depth and structure needed to support a scalable architecture.
In large applications, clean, modular code is essential for managing multiple interconnected components and ensuring that future changes are easy to implement. AI-generated code may not meet these architectural standards, often resulting in code that is more rigid and harder to modify as the project grows.
AI exporters typically produce code for quick deployment rather than long-term performance. For enterprise applications, where high performance and efficiency are essential, manually optimized code is often necessary to avoid bottlenecks and ensure smooth user experiences.
Moreover, automated code generation tools like Locofy can create technical debt. As the code may not always adhere to best practices, developers might need additional time refactoring and optimizing it to ensure it aligns with project standards. Over time, this can complicate maintenance, making it more challenging to track bugs or implement new features without risking breakages.
Method 3: Crafting Angular Code from Scratch Using Figma Designs
As a developer, I know how painful it can be to work with automatically generated Angular components in complex projects.
When dealing with generated code from tools like Figmular or Locofy, developers often need to review and revise it to ensure it aligns with Angular's best practices. This additional step introduces errors and disrupts the flow of development. In my opinion, this is a major disadvantage of these types of tools. Instead of saving time, they can disrupt the development workflow and make the code less cohesive.
Writing Angular code from scratch may be time-consuming, but it leads to a far more efficient, maintainable, and performant application in the long run.
If you have a design project in Figma that you want to convert into Angular, the most effective option is to work with an experienced team of Angular developers who specialize in this process. Skilled developers can take your Figma design, translate it precisely, and build a solid, scalable architecture from scratch — without the pitfalls of automated code.
Additionally, when using AI exporters or converters in Figma, you often need to purchase multiple subscriptions with different plans. These beautifully wrapped tools may seem attractive, but they typically do not achieve the customization depth and quality that complex projects often require. Ultimately, you still need qualified developers to integrate and refine the generated code, turning the tools into an additional expense rather than a true solution. Most developers would appreciate the opportunity to code from scratch and do their job without the pieces of pre-generated code that don't align with Angular standards.
If you understand that your project needs the power and flexibility of Angular — the complex framework that is one of the hardest to learn — it's best to entrust the development to professionals rather than relying on AI-assisted tools.
Conclusion
Using tools like exporters or converters can be shot in the leg in large projects with complex structures, as they come with serious limitations that can slow down your business growth.
Writing Angular code from scratch is a more traditional and default method, where devs take a Figma design and manually code it into Angular, creating each component separately. This professional approach is reliable and effective, eliminating the need to purchase tools that do not contribute to the overall goal.
Automated code can help with basic elements, but when you need to build a complex structure, such tools can only complicate and slow down the development process.
To avoid these pitfalls, you need a reliable partner with strong Angular expertise who can adapt to different situations. The Frontend Company is one of the best Angular migration service providers. Our expert team crafts user interfaces that meet clients' needs, exceed users' expectations, and stay ahead of industry trends.
Contact us for a free consultation, during which our manager will analyze your project and recommend the best possible way to convert Figma to Angular.
FAQ
Can I fully rely on converters to move designs from Figma to Angular?
No. Converters can be helpful for basics or prototypes where speed is a priority over code performance and flexibility. However, relying solely on these tools can present issues for large, complex projects. The generated code often doesn't meet quality and architectural standards, making it challenging to maintain and scale the project over time. My advice is to work with a professional team of developers when you need to convert Figma to Angular.
What are the advantages of coding from scratch instead of using converters?
There are plenty of advantages. Writing code from scratch allows developers to create well-structured applications for long-term use. Manually written code reduces technical debt and simplifies maintenance. Converters, by contrast, don't provide the same level of control, what lead to a less adaptable codebase.
Alex Vasylenko is the founder of The Frontend Company, DBC and several other successful startups. A dynamic tech entrepreneur, he began his career as a frontend developer at Deloitte and Scandinavia's largest banking company. In 2023, Alex was honored as one of 'Top 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs' by USA Today.
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