# Choosing an animation method
Choose between Figma Motion, preset, multi-frame, prototype flow, and interactive state-machine export for a Figma scene.

Figma to Lottie has several ways to start. Think of them as different source structures, not just different export buttons.

## Method overview

| Method                    | Starting point                                          | Best for                                          | Output behavior                                        |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Figma Motion export       | One selected frame with Figma Motion timeline keyframes | Timeline motion authored directly in Figma Motion | Timeline-style animation from the authored keyframes   |
| Preset                    | One selected frame                                      | Icons, logos, simple micro-interactions           | Timeline-style animation from a preset                 |
| Multi-frame               | Multiple selected frames                                | Step-based motion or frame-by-frame transitions   | Timeline-style sequence                                |
| Prototype flow            | A Figma prototype flow starting point                   | UI transitions and longer flow motion             | Timeline-style playback based on prototype transitions |
| Interactive state machine | Prototype interactions such as click, hover, or press   | Interactive product states                        | dotLottie state machine                                |

## Choose Figma Motion export when

- You animated layers inside one frame with Figma Motion timeline keyframes.
- The motion is mainly position, opacity, size, corner radius, stroke weight, solid color, or similar timeline properties.
- You want the exported Lottie to follow the timing you authored in Figma Motion.

Preview the export before handoff when the animation uses partial-support features such as spring easing, rotation or scale pivots, gradients, complex layout changes, or text animation. See [Figma Motion export](/en/integrations/figma/04_figma-to-lottie/figma-motion-export) for the support table.

## Choose Preset when

- You have one simple frame.
- You want a quick animation without building a prototype.
- The frame is not a prototype flow starting point.

## Choose Multi-frame when

- Each frame represents one moment in the animation.
- Layers are consistent across frames.
- You want a predictable linear sequence.

## Choose Prototype Flow when

- Your Figma scene already has a flow starting point.
- Motion depends on prototype transitions.
- You want the export to follow a designed Figma flow.

## Choose Interactive State Machine when

- The prototype uses supported interaction triggers such as click, hover, press, mouse enter, mouse leave, mouse down, mouse up, or after delay.
- The final product needs to react to user input.
- You can ship `.lottie` and use a dotLottie runtime.

## If the plugin opens the wrong method

Check the selected content in Figma. A frame that is also a prototype flow starting point can route to Prototype Flow mode instead of Preset mode.

## Related

- [Figma Motion export](/en/integrations/figma/04_figma-to-lottie/figma-motion-export)
- [Preparing your Figma scene](/en/integrations/figma/04_figma-to-lottie/preparing-your-figma-scene)
- [Timeline vs state machines](/en/integrations/figma/04_figma-to-lottie/timeline-vs-state-machines)
- [Exporting interactive state machines](/en/integrations/figma/04_figma-to-lottie/exporting-interactive-state-machines)