Penpot: Free Open-source Alternative to Figma & AdobeXD

Elestio
19 Jul 202416:53

TLDRDiscover Penpot, a free open-source alternative to Figma and AdobeXD. This video explores its new features in version 2, guides you through setting up an account, creating projects, and utilizing design tools like layout options and component libraries. Learn how to collaborate and use templates for efficient design workflows.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Penpot is a free, open-source alternative to Figma and Adobe XD for designing and prototyping applications.
  • 📝 The platform has been updated to version 2 with many new features, which the video focuses on.
  • 🌐 Users can sign up for free on Penpot's website or opt for a self-hosted version with instructions provided.
  • 🔧 For self-hosting, Penpot offers options like Docker or a managed service platform for backup, updates, and maintenance.
  • 🔑 The video demonstrates how to deploy Penpot on a managed service platform and access the instance.
  • 👥 Penpot allows creating teams and inviting members to collaborate on projects.
  • 🎨 The interface of Penpot is similar to Figma but includes unique features for wireframing and design.
  • 📐 New to Penpot is the layout option on boards, enabling easy alignment and distribution of elements.
  • 🖼️ The platform supports creating image galleries with grid layouts that can be customized for different image sizes.
  • 🔄 Penpot offers a component feature, allowing designers to create reusable elements and update them across the project.
  • 👥 Collaboration tools in Penpot let team members comment and make changes visible to others in real-time.
  • 📚 The video also covers using templates in Penpot, providing a structured starting point for new projects.

Q & A

  • What is Penpot and how does it differ from Figma and AdobeXD?

    -Penpot is a free, open-source alternative to Figma and AdobeXD. It is a platform for designing and prototyping applications. The main differences lie in its open-source nature and the unique features it offers, such as the ability to self-host and its layout options on boards.

  • How can one sign up for Penpot?

    -To sign up for Penpot, you can visit their website through the link provided in the description and click on 'sign up for free'. Alternatively, for a self-hosted version, you can follow the instructions on the self-host page.

  • What is the process for deploying Penpot on a cloud provider using LSO?

    -To deploy Penpot on a cloud provider using LSO, you go to LSO, click on 'login', then 'deploy my first service', search for 'penpot', select the cloud provider, region, and service plan that suits your needs, adjust settings, and hit 'create service'. Once installed, you receive an email to notify you that it's ready.

  • How does the user interface of Penpot compare to Figma?

    -The user interface of Penpot is quite similar to Figma, making it easy for users familiar with Figma to adapt. However, Penpot has its own set of unique features and differences that set it apart.

  • What new features have been introduced in Penpot version 2?

    -In Penpot version 2, many new exciting features have been introduced, including layout options on boards, a more advanced grid layout for image galleries, and a component feature that allows for the creation and modification of reusable design elements.

  • How does Penpot handle text styling and positioning within a design?

    -Penpot allows users to style text with options such as font selection, boldness, and color. Positioning can be done manually by dragging and dropping, and with the help of layout options like Flex layout for alignment and centering.

  • What is the process for creating a team and inviting members in Penpot?

    -To create a team in Penpot, you need to provide a team name and then invite other members by adding their emails. Once the team is created, you can switch between personal and team projects within the platform.

  • How does Penpot facilitate collaboration among team members?

    -Penpot facilitates collaboration by allowing users to comment on designs and see the cursor of other team members in real-time. It also supports the creation of shared projects that can be accessed and edited by all team members.

  • What is the significance of the component feature in Penpot?

    -The component feature in Penpot allows users to create reusable design elements, which can be easily updated across all instances where they are used. This helps maintain consistency in design and streamlines the design process.

  • How can users utilize Penpot's grid layout for image galleries?

    -Users can utilize Penpot's grid layout by specifying the number of rows and columns, adjusting the size of each cell, and setting the images to take up the full width and height of their respective cells. This allows for a flexible and organized display of images.

  • What are the benefits of using Penpot's templates and how can they be accessed?

    -Penpot's templates provide a structured starting point for various design projects, saving time and ensuring a professional layout. They can be accessed from the dashboard and imported into a user's project for immediate use.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Penot Platform Overview and Setup

This paragraph introduces Penot as a free, open-source alternative to Figma for designing and prototyping applications. The video script details the process of signing up for Penot, either through their cloud service or by self-hosting with the help of LSO. It guides viewers on how to deploy Penot on the LSO platform, access their instance, and set up their first project. The script also covers initial setup questions and creating a team for collaboration within Penot.

05:02

📐 Exploring Penot's Design Features and Layout Options

The second paragraph delves into Penot's design features, comparing the interface to Figma but highlighting its unique capabilities. It demonstrates creating a board and adding text elements, adjusting styles, and using layout options such as Flex and Grid layouts to organize content. The script explains how to resize and center text, and how to manage image galleries with grid configurations, including adjusting row and column sizes for different image orientations.

10:03

🌐 Penot's Component Feature and Collaboration Tools

This section introduces Penot's component feature, allowing users to create reusable design elements for consistency across projects. The script shows how to create a button with styling options, convert it into a component, and use it across different pages. It also touches on Penot's collaboration tools, where team members can join projects, comment on designs, and see real-time cursor movements, enhancing the teamwork experience.

15:05

📚 Utilizing Penot Templates and Prototyping

The final paragraph discusses Penot's template feature, which allows users to start projects with pre-designed layouts. The script guides through importing a template, exploring its pages, and understanding the structure of a well-organized design system. It also covers the Prototype page, which enables users to create interactions and navigation between pages, giving a preview of the final project's user experience. The video concludes with a recommendation to read Penot's user guide for a deeper understanding of its features.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Penpot

Penpot is a free, open-source alternative to design tools like Figma and Adobe XD. It is designed for creating and prototyping applications. In the video, Penpot is introduced as the main subject, with a focus on its new features in version 2. The script guides viewers on how to sign up and use Penpot, highlighting its interface and capabilities.

💡Open Source

Open source refers to a type of software whose source code is available to the public for viewing, modification, and enhancement. In the context of the video, Penpot is an open-source platform, which means users can freely access and contribute to its development. This is a key aspect of the software's appeal, as it offers a community-driven approach to design tool development.

💡Designing

Designing is the process of creating the visual and functional elements of a product or application. In the video, the script explains how Penpot can be used for designing, suggesting that it offers tools and features that allow users to create aesthetically pleasing and functional designs, as demonstrated by the creation of a 'demo app'.

💡Prototyping

Prototyping is the creation of a preliminary model of a product or application to test and refine its design and functionality. The video script mentions Penpot's capabilities for prototyping, indicating that it allows users to create interactive models that simulate the user experience of their designs.

💡Self-hosted

A self-hosted solution refers to software that is run on a user's own servers or personal hosting environment. In the video, the script explains that users have the option to use a self-hosted version of Penpot, which provides more control over the software's installation, updates, and maintenance.

💡Cloud Version

The cloud version of a software refers to a service that is hosted remotely and accessed over the internet. The script mentions the cloud version of Penpot, which is an alternative to the self-hosted option, offering users the convenience of accessing the design tool from anywhere without the need to manage their own server.

💡Docker

Docker is a platform that allows developers to develop, deploy, and run applications in containers. In the script, Docker is mentioned as a method for setting up the self-hosted version of Penpot, suggesting that it is a flexible and portable way to deploy the design tool on various environments.

💡Layout Options

Layout options in design software refer to the features that allow users to organize and align elements within a design. The script highlights new layout options in Penpot, such as Flex layout and Grid layout, which provide users with more control over the arrangement and spacing of design elements.

💡Component

In design software, a component is a reusable piece of a design that can be applied consistently across a project. The video script discusses the component feature in Penpot, demonstrating how users can create and modify components like buttons, which can then be updated across all instances within a project.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration in the context of design tools refers to the ability for multiple users to work together on a project simultaneously. The script introduces the collaboration features of Penpot, such as team creation and the ability to leave comments on designs, which facilitates a more integrated and efficient design process.

💡Templates

Templates in design software are pre-designed layouts or elements that users can use as a starting point for their projects. The video script provides an example of using a 'plant app' template in Penpot, showcasing how templates can help users quickly create professional-looking designs by leveraging existing layouts and elements.

Highlights

Penpot is a free open-source alternative to Figma and Adobe XD.

Penpot has released version 2 with many new exciting features.

You can sign up for free on the Penpot website or use a self-hosted version.

Penpot can be self-hosted using Docker or with the help of a platform like LSO.

LSO can manage backup, updates, maintenance, and installation on your cloud provider.

To start using Penpot, you can deploy it as a service on platforms like LSO.

Penpot offers a user-friendly interface similar to Figma with unique features.

Creating a team in Penpot allows collaboration and project sharing with others.

Penpot provides layout options like Flex and Grid for designing elements.

Images can be easily resized and adjusted to fit within the grid layout.

Penpot's component feature allows for the creation of reusable design elements.

Changes made to the main component will reflect across all instances of that component.

Penpot includes collaboration tools for real-time editing and commenting.

Templates in Penpot can be imported to kickstart your design projects.

The Prototype feature in Penpot allows you to create interactions and navigation between pages.

Penpot's user guide is a valuable resource for discovering its features and getting started.

The video provides a comprehensive overview of Penpot's capabilities and how to get started.

Penpot is designed to cater to both individual and team-based design workflows.