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Question

Issue with Component Resizing – Constraints Not Working Properly

  • March 27, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 229 views
adamsmith

Hey everyone,

I’m running into an issue with component resizing in Figma. I’ve set constraints on child elements (e.g., left & right for buttons inside a container), but when I resize the main component, the elements don’t behave as expected. Sometimes they overlap, and other times they don’t scale proportionally.

I’ve checked:

  • Auto layout settings (both fixed and fill options)

  • Whether the frame is set to "hug contents" or "fixed width"

  • Nested component constraints

Has anyone else faced this? Any tips on getting constraints to behave properly when resizing?

Thanks in advance!

KennLucas
Aysar_Bening1
Alex_Rummel

2 replies

adamsmith
  • adamsmith
  • Author
  • New Member
  • March 28, 2025

This actually got me thinking about real-world applications of design constraints, particularly in packaging design. Just like in Figma, packaging elements (such as inserts or compartments inside a box) need to be properly structured to adapt to different product sizes while maintaining their integrity. If anyone here works with packaging prototypes or dielines, you’ve probably encountered similar challenges—ensuring all elements scale correctly without compromising the overall structure.

KennLucas
  • KennLucas
  • November 7, 2025

Thanks to @seni for reopening this!

There is absolutely no reason that basic functionality like this is not being addressed!

The word “constraints” is a thing. This is a key performance issue that I have been complaining about for years. Last night this came to a head as I am on a deadline and cannot build a component to function as it should.

With the advances in variables in the last year, this is crucial as it basically fights with the way Figma SAYS it is supposed to work.

In an avatar component, we have a status dot constrained to bottom right. HOWEVER with variables, we can create a collection to allow for resizing of the instance without having to create variants. HOWEVER, Figma does not follow its own rules on constraints.

When I resize a containing frame, the constrained object (bottom right) should stay where it is told to stay. Not break out of the frame or reposition. Ignoring the set constraints.

This is most definitely a bug. But not reported here as a bug in the forum. @seni , maybe we can move this over to a bug report?

 

 

KennLucas
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