ProtoPie for Designers: Advanced Interaction Prototyping Without Code

ProtoPie is a prototyping tool for creating advanced interactions that go beyond simple click-through mockups. It handles physics-based animations, conditional logic, device sensors, variables, and multi-device experiences. Designers use ProtoPie when Figma’s built-in prototyping isn’t enough, like prototyping an Apple Watch app that responds to wrist rotation, or a mobile app with complex gesture-based navigation.

Key Specs

How Designers Use ProtoPie

ProtoPie handles prototyping scenarios that other tools can’t.

For Complex Gesture Interactions

Create prototypes with swipe gestures, drag interactions, pinch-to-zoom, and rotation. ProtoPie’s gesture recognition is more sophisticated than Figma’s. Build a photo gallery with realistic pinch-zoom, or a slider that responds to horizontal dragging with physics-based momentum.

For Conditional Logic and Variables

Store user input in variables and use conditions to change prototype behavior. Build a sign-up flow where the button only enables when all fields are filled. Create a prototype that remembers user selections across screens. This is impossible in most design tools but straightforward in ProtoPie.

For Sensor-Based Experiences

Access device sensors: tilt the phone to move objects, use microphone input to trigger animations, detect touch pressure for 3D Touch interactions. Prototype AR concepts, games, and innovative mobile experiences that react to the physical world.

For Multi-Device Prototypes

Use ProtoPie Connect to synchronize prototypes across devices. Build a smartwatch app that sends notifications to a phone, or a tablet dashboard that responds to mobile app actions. Test how experiences flow across device ecosystems.

For Realistic User Testing

ProtoPie prototypes feel like real apps. Test interactions with users before building in code. The high fidelity means user feedback is more accurate. “Users interact with ProtoPie prototypes like they’re real products” is common feedback from UX researchers.

ProtoPie vs. Alternatives

Choose ProtoPie if: You need advanced interactions, sensor access, conditional logic, or multi-device prototyping that other tools can’t handle.

Choose Figma if: You want design and prototyping in one tool and your interactions are simple (clicks, basic transitions, scroll).

Choose Principle if: You’re on Mac, want quick animation prototypes, and prefer a simpler tool for standard mobile interactions.

Choose Framer if: You want code-level control and are comfortable with React/JavaScript.

Getting Started with ProtoPie

Learn the core concepts in an afternoon.

Step 1: Import your Figma designs

Open ProtoPie and create a new pie (project). Select File > Import from Figma, or copy frames from Figma and paste into ProtoPie. Your layers and groups come over, ready to animate.

Step 2: Understand triggers and responses

ProtoPie’s interaction model: Triggers (user actions like tap, drag) cause Responses (animations like move, scale, opacity). Select a layer, add a trigger (e.g., Tap), then add responses (e.g., Move to X:100). Chain multiple responses for complex animations.

Step 3: Add variables for state

Create a variable (e.g., “isLoggedIn”) to store state. Use conditions to change behavior: “If isLoggedIn equals true, show dashboard; else show login.” Variables make prototypes dynamic and closer to real app logic.

ProtoPie in Your Design Workflow

ProtoPie sits between design tools and development.

• Before ProtoPie: Design screens and components in Figma
• During prototyping: ProtoPie for advanced interactions, user testing with realistic prototypes
• After ProtoPie: Hand off to developers with clear interaction specs, or use ProtoPie’s Interaction Recipes as documentation

Common tool pairings:

• ProtoPie + Figma for design in Figma, advanced interactions in ProtoPie
• ProtoPie + Maze for usability testing with high-fidelity prototypes
• ProtoPie + ProtoPie Connect for multi-device prototype testing
• ProtoPie + Developer handoff using recorded GIFs or Interaction Recipes

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“ProtoPie feels overwhelming compared to Figma”

Start with simple interactions before tackling variables and conditions. Build a basic tap-to-navigate prototype first. Once you understand triggers and responses, add complexity. ProtoPie’s learning curve pays off when you need its power.

“My Figma import looks wrong”

Flatten complex effects, expand text to outlines if fonts don’t transfer, and simplify auto-layout before importing. ProtoPie handles basic Figma structures well but complex constraints may not import perfectly. Sometimes rebuilding in ProtoPie is faster than fixing imports.

“Prototypes are laggy on my device”

Complex prototypes with many layers and animations can lag, especially on older devices. Optimize by reducing layer count, simplifying animations, and testing on the actual target device early. ProtoPie Player performs better than the web preview.

“I need to prototype for Apple Watch”

ProtoPie supports watchOS prototyping. Create a pie at watch dimensions, test on a real Apple Watch using ProtoPie Player, and use ProtoPie Connect to simulate watch-phone interactions. Not many prototyping tools support watches; this is a ProtoPie strength.

“My team doesn’t have ProtoPie licenses”

Share prototypes via ProtoPie Cloud (paid plans). Viewers don’t need a ProtoPie account. For presentations, export as video or GIF. The free tier allows limited sharing; paid plans remove restrictions.