Why ProtoPie Genie is a must-try for designers

Great news for Figma users! If you've ever felt that your design prototypes lacked dynamic interactions, our new beta plugin, ProtoPie Genie, is here to help.

 is designed for designers who use Figma to prototype their work and want to add more realistic interactions. As a beta version, ProtoPie Genie offers an early glimpse into its powerful features, allowing you to enhance your prototypes with advanced interactivity directly within Figma.

In the initial release of ProtoPie Genie, the "Interactive Input Field" feature allows you to seamlessly input text into your Figma prototype using the device keyboard.

Here’s how to add an interactive input field to your Figma design:

Select a text object to designate as the input field.

Add the object to the "Interactive Input Field" interaction.

Assign text objects as output fields to display the entered text.

For more details on using the ProtoPie Genie plugin and exploring its features, refer to our 

Static prototypes can limit creativity, but ProtoPie Genie changes that. ProtoPie Genie makes adding dynamic interactions to Figma prototypes easy, creating a more realistic and engaging experience without limiting creativity or compromising tight deadlines.

Here’s why ProtoPie Genie should be a key part of your 

: With ProtoPie Genie, you can easily create advanced prototypes directly in Figma, saving time and eliminating the need to learn new tools.

: ProtoPie Genie allows for dynamic engagement with your prototype, enabling rapid testing and iteration of user experiences.

 ProtoPie Genie can boost efficiency by simplifying the creation of interactive prototypes.

: With ProtoPie Genie, you can deliver standout, interactive presentations that captivate your audience and impress stakeholders.

More than a plugin, ProtoPie Genie is a game-changing tool for Figma users who want to improve their designs.

Our team is dedicated to enhancing your design experience and making it more magical. Apart from the interactive input field, ProtoPie Genie will also support camera integration, speech-to-text functionality, and map integration in the near future.

If you have any feedback or want to suggest new features, let us know via the 

Experience the magic of ProtoPie Genie—where your Figma designs come to life, easy as Pie!

Static prototypes can limit creativity, but ProtoPie Genie changes that. Dive into the article to discover how.

What’s New? ProtoPie Genie Plugin for Figma

beta version of the ProtoPie Genie Figma plugin

, empowering designers to enhance their prototypes with advanced interactivity directly within Figma.

Since then, we've received invaluable feedback from our user community, which has guided us in refining the Figma Genie plugin.

Enhanced UX flow for a more intuitive experience

Check out the demo below to see these new features in action.

1. Improved UX flow for a more seamless experience

We've significantly improved this version to enhance the user experience with a more intuitive UX flow. Now, you can filter and apply interactions from a list and preview the interaction flows directly in the browser.

This update gives clear instructions on how interactions work, making the user experience smoother.

2. Add camera interactions for more realistic interactions

Take your prototypes to the next level by incorporating camera interactions using your mobile device's camera. When previewing the prototype on mobile devices with the Genie Player app, you can select the front or rear camera view. Also, you can include a shutter button to start and stop the camera view, adding a realistic touch to your prototypes.

3. Create voice interactions with Speech-to-Text

This feature allows your prototype to listen and transcribe spoken words using a listening button. Genie supports over 50 languages for Speech-to-Text, offering the same language options available in ProtoPie Studio for creating 

4. Integrate web-embedded content into your prototype

Enhance your design prototypes by including web-embedded content, such as videos from YouTube and Vimeo. Make sure the URL starts with "https://".

When embedding content from YouTube or Vimeo, you'll have extra control over video settings like Autoplay and Loop, which creates a more dynamic and interactive experience.

5. Add live Google Maps to your prototype for more usability

Incorporate live Google Maps into your prototype for real-time geographic context to enhance user interaction and usability.

You can customize the map's location, interact directly with the map, zoom in and out, and drag to explore different areas, making your prototype more engaging and functional.

6. Preview interactions on mobile devices with the ProtoPie Genie Player app

We're excited to introduce a major update in this new version: the ability to preview and test interactions directly on your mobile devices using the ProtoPie Genie Player app.

In the beta version, users could only test interactions in a web browser. With the new update, you can experience your prototypes on 

ProtoPie Genie 2.0 enables designers to create more engaging and realistic prototypes through camera and voice interactions, seamless web embeds, and live maps. The new Genie Player app allows for easy on-device testing, making it simpler to refine and showcase designs. 

 and take your Figma prototypes to the next level!

ProtoPie Genie 2.0 comes with exciting new features, including camera and voice interactions, web embeds, live maps, and the ProtoPie Genie Player app for mobile user testing.

What’s New in ProtoPie Genie 2.0? Camera, Voice, Web Embeds, and More

You asked, and we listened! After hearing your requests loud and clear, we’re thrilled to finally introduce one of our community's most highly requested features—

This marks the beginning of a multi-stage rollout of Auto Layout, with this first release launching in 

. In this phase, we focus on applying auto layout to design elements and importing auto layout properties from Figma. This addresses a significant user pain point, boosting productivity and enabling a more seamless Figma-to-ProtoPie export for a faster, more efficient design workflow.

Looking ahead, future releases launching next year will expand Auto Layout to 

, providing a fully integrated solution for your design and interaction needs. Read on to explore the details of this beta release and how it can elevate your design process.

Auto layout is a design feature that automatically adjusts and arranges elements within a container based on defined rules and relationships. It allows designers to create responsive designs by specifying an element’s properties, such as padding, gap, direction, resizing options, and alignment.

Here are some of the most typical use cases:

: Automatically adjusts spacing and alignment when content is added, removed, or resized, such as in text boxes, image frames, or form fields.

: Maintains consistent padding, spacing, and alignment across components, which is especially useful for creating standardized layouts for cards, lists, and grids.

: Auto Layout makes it easy to update individual components, like buttons or navigation bars, ensuring that component instances automatically adjust consistently throughout the design.

, Auto Layout helps you create responsive designs by automatically adjusting how elements are arranged within a container based on specific layout settings.

There are several ways to apply Auto Layout in ProtoPie:

Select any object (single or multiple), right-click, and choose 

. This will automatically move the object(s) into a container and apply Auto Layout.

Select any object (single or multiple) and press 

 option in the Property panel or right-click the container and select 

: Choose horizontal or vertical alignment in the Property panel.

: Arrange child items through the Layers panel, using keyboard arrows, or directly on the canvas.

: Allow child items to resize to fill the parent container automatically.

: Set a fixed gap or let items automatically adjust to fit the available space.

: The Auto Layout option does not appear in the Property panel if you’re working with a Mask layer, a single non-container layer, or an audio layer.

What are the supported Auto Layout properties in ProtoPie?

The properties that support applying Auto Layout to layers in ProtoPie Studio include:

Check out our documentation to explore the 

With this release, ProtoPie now supports most of Figma's core Auto Layout properties, ensuring that your primary Auto Layout settings are kept when importing designs from Figma. However, some advanced features—such as ‘strokes,’ ‘canvas stacking,’ and ‘align text baseline,’ along with max/min sizing options—are not yet supported in ProtoPie.

Keep Figma and ProtoPie open and visible on your desktop during the import for optimal performance.

When importing top-level frames from Figma into ProtoPie Studio, these frames are converted into scenes, which removes any original properties, including Auto Layout settings. So, if a top frame in Figma has Auto Layout applied, it won’t carry over into ProtoPie Studio and will be omitted from the scene.

Q. Can I use Auto Layout with interactions and preview them in the Preview window or the ProtoPie Player app?

Interactions are not supported in the initial 

 release of the Auto Layout feature. In this phase, Auto Layout is focused on design elements and imports from Figma to enhance your workflow efficiency. Although you can add triggers and responses to layers with Auto Layout applied, when a layer within an Auto Layout is moved or scaled in the Preview window, the other layers will not move or scale to adjust as they do on the canvas.

However, Auto Layout for prototyping & interactions is coming next year—stay tuned for updates.

Q. Why can’t I see the Auto Layout option in the Interactions panel?

The Auto Layout option is only available in the Property panel under specific conditions. Here’s when it will and won’t appear:

When selecting and applying it to a single container.

When selecting and applying it to a Main Component.

When selecting and applying it to two or more layers.

, as Auto Layout cannot be applied to audio.

If you don’t see the Auto Layout option, check if your selection falls into one of these unsupported cases. 

This is just the beginning. In this first 

 release, Auto Layout enhances design elements and Figma imports, streamlining your workflow by importing Auto Layout properties and allowing you to edit them directly in ProtoPie for greater productivity and faster exports. Looking ahead, the next phase—set to launch next year—will bring Auto Layout to prototyping, offering a more robust and seamless integration that enhances both your design and interaction workflows.

Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of Auto Layout. Join our 

 to share your thoughts, ask questions, and stay updated on upcoming updates.

Adjust dynamic layouts, import auto layout properties from Figma, or create your own with flexible controls like direction and wrapping. Now in beta.

What’s New? Improved Import & Design with Auto Layout

How ProtoPie Connect fits into the ProtoPie ecosystem

 is a game-changer for creating interactive, connected prototyping experiences. Whether you're working with multiple screens, integrating custom hardware, or tapping into APIs, ProtoPie Connect opens up a world of possibilities for dynamic prototyping. Dive into this article to discover how to unlock its full potential and enhance your workflow through seamless integrations and advanced features.

ProtoPie Connect is an advanced extension of 

 that enables designers to create experiences replicating real-world interactions across various devices, displays, hardware components, and APIs.

ProtoPie Connect functions as a powerful communication hub, using 

 technology to bridge various clients, such as:

Physical hardware systems like Arduino boards or Logitech G29 steering wheels;

External services like IFTTT webhooks and public APIs.

Discover more about ProtoPie Connect in our 

ProtoPie Connect is an integral part of the ProtoPie ecosystem, designed to integrate seamlessly with our other products:

: Our powerful prototyping application, available on both macOS and Windows, is where you create high-fidelity prototypes.

: A web-based platform that enables you to store, share, and hand off ProtoPie prototypes effortlessly.

: A free app that complements ProtoPie Studio, allowing you to view and test prototypes on iOS, iPad, and Android devices.

ProtoPie Connect has a range of built-in plugins that allow you to integrate your ProtoPie prototypes (Pies) with external hardware devices and services. These include the 

 plugins. Enterprise plan users can upload custom plugins, opening up even more possibilities for creating unique digital experiences.

In addition to these plugins, Connect offers various powerful features to enhance realism, interactivity, and dynamic user testing:

 content like 3D objects and maps via URL or iframe code.

: Easily connect your prototypes to databases and APIs through the 

 allows you to integrate Unity projects with ProtoPie for interactive prototyping and user testing. Unreal Engine 5 integration is also supported.

: Connect prototypes to hardware, APIs, or apps supporting 

: Prototype across multiple screens and devices, including 

, for a comprehensive testing experience.

: Integrate ProtoPie prototypes with custom layers such as web embeds, live cameras, and Unity projects and preview them in a 

 on various smart devices and desktop browsers using ProtoPie Connect.

Having explored the key features of ProtoPie Connect, let's take a look at some of the industries where they can be applied.

: Control prototypes that interact with APIs and driving simulators and integrate real signals from steering wheels, seats, and lights.

: Enhance game prototypes with increased interactivity using live data and 

: Streamline appliance and mobile app integration to emulate real-time device behavior for efficient user testing.

: Use camera feeds in applications like surgery robots and medical imaging systems.

: Prototype interactive TV interfaces with multi-screen support.

: Design realistic smartwatch experiences and cross-device interactions and test them on your Wear OS device.

Learn how to create software and hardware-integrated prototypes with our free Connect course from ProtoPie School. 

The ProtoPie Connect add-on is available in three tiers, each designed to meet different prototyping needs and budgets:

 This tier is perfect for large teams and organizations that require advanced integration and collaboration features. It is included with the Enterprise plan and offers the most comprehensive capabilities.

 Available as an add-on for Pro and Basic plan users, Connect Core is ideal for professionals and small teams seeking robust features without needing a full enterprise solution.

 A great starting point for individuals or newcomers to ProtoPie, this tier offers access to basic features at no cost.

For a detailed comparison of the features included in each tier, 

Experience the future of prototyping with ProtoPie Connect. Explore the possibilities and see how you can bring your ideas to life like never before.

Learn how ProtoPie Connect can boost your prototyping with easy integrations and powerful features for connected experiences.

Dynamic Prototyping with ProtoPie Connect: Features, Use Cases, and More

Improved cloud page layout for better storage visibility

Revision history control for optimized storage space

We are excited to share the latest updates to 

, giving you more control over your cloud storage management and Pie history revisions. These new features will help you make the most of your storage space and improve your overall sharing and collaboration experience.

Keep reading to find out more about these updates.

 page! This page lets you easily access and manage your ProtoPie Cloud storage data. The options and views available will vary based on your subscription plan and member type.

Users on the Free or Basic plan will see their personal space's storage capacity. The Pies will be listed in descending order by size so you can quickly identify the files taking up the most space.

Free plan users can store up to 50MB of Pie files, while Basic plan users have up to 500MB of storage. If you need more space, you can easily 

 page displays different views and management options based on the team member's 

: editor, viewer, team owner, or team admin. It shows the top two projects occupying the most space and the size of all interaction libraries. It also lists the Pies within each project in descending order by size, the editor’s name, and access to the revision history management menu.

Editors can manage revision history, while viewers have limited management capabilities. All team members with editing access can switch between teams from the dropdown menu.

Team admins and owners who are editors can upgrade the team space storage if needed by clicking on the 

The top section on the Enterprise Cloud Storage page displays the two teams occupying the most space. It also lists the projects within each team in descending order by size, includes the Pie creator’s name, and provides access to the revision history management menu.

We’re also releasing an update on how private projects are managed in Pro plan team spaces.

For team members without viewing permission, the names of private projects are displayed as "Private project." Similarly, the names of Pies and Pie creators are shown as "Private Pie" and "Private member," respectively, and the "Manage revision history" menu is disabled.

To help you make the most of your Pro plan’s team storage space, we released a revision history management feature in ProtoPie Cloud. This feature allows team editors to delete older versions of a Pie that are taking up too much storage, optimizing the team's storage space.

Here are the simple steps to manage a Pie’s revision history:

Go to the 'Storage' menu and select 'Manage revision history' from the Pie list.

Navigate to the revision history tab for the selected Pie.

The revision history feature is not available for Free and Basic plans. If you require more advanced tools for improved storage efficiency, consider 

You can also archive interaction libraries that are no longer needed to free up additional space in your cloud storage.

Q. How can I add more storage to my team space?

If you’re an editor on the Pro plan and need more storage space, you can email your team admin to request more storage. You’ll be able to copy their email address from the 

If you’re the team admin and your team needs more space, 

Q. How can I optimize my team’s storage space?

Here are some of the best ways to optimize your team's storage space:

Delete older versions of a Pie file that take up too much storage from the 

Archive interaction libraries that are no longer needed to free up additional space in your cloud storage.

Q. What are some best practices for optimizing a prototype’s size?

If your file takes a long time to load, it may be due to the images and videos included in it. Large files with many scenes can have performance issues.

We recommend the following to optimize a Pie file's size before uploading it to the cloud:

flattening layers that are not linked to any triggers/responses in your design tool and reimport them into ProtoPie

reducing the size of images/video layers as much as possible

reducing the number of triggers/responses by using components whenever possible

reducing the number of scenes in your Pie file

We hope you enjoy these updates. With an improved cloud page layout, better storage management, and optimized revision history, managing your projects is now more streamlined, enhancing your overall prototyping flow.

For more updates and to connect with others, 

Make the most of your ProtoPie Cloud storage space and get the best collaboration experience with these new features.

What’s New? Optimized Cloud Storage Experience

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to ProtoPie Connect: the Unity plugin! This powerful plugin closes the gap between 

 and Unity, elevating your projects' interactivity. Let's explore what this means for you and how you can make the most of this plugin in your workflow.

📣 Join us on June 4th at 10 AM CEST for an exciting livestream. We will introduce the ProtoPie Connect Unity plugin, demonstrate how it works, guide you through the setup process, and showcase several live demos. 

In ProtoPie Connect, you can embed Unity layers using 

 bridges ProtoPie and Unity, allowing for smooth communication and an interactive design experience.

The Unity plugin is free to download and install for all ProtoPie plans. However, integrating Unity interactivity within Connect is a feature exclusively available to our Connect Enterprise users. Please refer to the ProtoPie 

 to understand the features included in each tier.

 to download the ProtoPie Connect Unity plugin.

The Unity Plugin is designed to make integrating ProtoPie with Unity simple and seamless. Here’s a quick overview:

Add the plugin to your Unity project as a package. This will allow you to map ProtoPie messages with Unity events without writing code.

Configure message mappings through the "Message Interaction" script component. This setup allows you to specify the messages between ProtoPie and Unity, streamlining the interaction process.

Customize how messages are handled within your scene, including message directions, actions to be triggered in Unity, and values to be sent back to ProtoPie

For detailed explanations of how the Unity plugin works, please refer to the 

ProtoPie Connect's Stage Views feature enables you to integrate ProtoPie prototypes with diverse custom layers, including 

. This integration enhances the user testing experience and renders your designs more dynamic.

With Connect Core, you can integrate one Unity layer for all Stages, while Connect Enterprise has no limit to the number of Unity layers you can add.

Adding Unity scenes to your project is straightforward with the Unity layer. Here's how:

: Use WebGL as the target platform and archive the build folder or files into a zip file.

: In ProtoPie Connect’s Stage view, click add and select Unity.

: Click Insert to import the WebGL build zip file.

For more detailed instructions, check out the documentation on 

The Unity plugin enables various use cases across various fields that require interactive prototyping. Below are a few examples:

 Use Unity to develop game mechanics and environments, then bring your Unity project into ProtoPie to test menus, HUDs, and other interface elements.

 Prototype advanced automotive interfaces by integrating 3D car models and environments from Unity with interactive UI components in ProtoPie. This can be used for in-car entertainment, navigation, and control interfaces.

 Leverage Unity's VR capabilities to build VR experiences and seamlessly integrate them with ProtoPie for designing and testing user interfaces and interactions.

 Create prototypes for healthcare applications involving 3D anatomical models or simulations.

Create more interactive designs with ProtoPie Connect

ProtoPie Connect offers a wide range of features to enhance your prototyping and user testing experience. It supports multi-screen communication, hardware-software prototyping, API integration, and Unity and Unreal integration.

 and upgrade your prototyping toolbox today with the Connect add-on.

Bring Unity projects to ProtoPie for a more interactive prototyping and user testing experience.

What’s New? Unity Plugin for ProtoPie Connect

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to our product lineup - ProtoPie Connect add-ons. These add-ons are now available to both Basic and Pro plan subscribers, making it easier to integrate multiple devices, hardware, screens, plugins, and custom layers. In addition, our Free plan users can also experience Connect with the Free version.

Releases

What’s New? ProtoPie Genie Plugin for Figma

What’s New in ProtoPie Genie 2.0? Camera, Voice, Web Embeds, and More

What’s New? Improved Import & Design with Auto Layout

Dynamic Prototyping with ProtoPie Connect: Features, Use Cases, and More

What’s New? Optimized Cloud Storage Experience

What’s New? Unity Plugin for ProtoPie Connect

What’s New? ProtoPie Connect Add-Ons for Basic & Pro

What’s New? Web Embeds & Camera Feeds in ProtoPie Connect

What’s New? Improved Figma Import & More

What’s New? Self-Hosted Media, Time & Date Functions, and More

What’s New? API Plugin in ProtoPie Connect

What’s New? Custom Easing Presets, Barcode Scanner & Much More

What's New? Introducing Custom Fonts

What’s New? Volume Control for Audio & Video Files

What’s New? ProtoPie User Testing