Build a Collaborative Figma Clone with Figma-like Features

Overview

• Build and deploy a Figma clone with live collaboration features including multi-cursors, cursor chat, reactions, active users, and comments bubbles.
• Create different shapes, upload images, modify properties, free-form drawing, undo/redo, check history, move/scale/delete/clear elements, and export the canvas.
• All operations are done in real-time and sessions are stored for collaboration.
• Built using Next.js and Tailwind CSS.

Application Features

User Interface

• Top right: Shows active users with their cursor activities.
• Shapes Creation: Create varied shapes like rectangles, circles, triangles, add text, and upload images with custom sizes.
• Customization: Allows color, dimension modifications, and free drawing mode.
• Left Sidebar: Displays real-time history of created elements.
• Right Sidebar: Options for drawing, moving, and deleting elements, and exporting canvas.
• Chat and Reaction: Right-click or press '/' for chat and 'e' for reactions.
• Comments: Add comment bubbles for suggestions and discussions.

Core Technologies

• Next.js: Frontend framework for React.
• Tailwind CSS: For styling.
• Fabric.js: Framework to work with HTML5 canvas elements for creating interactive objects.
• Liveblocks: For enabling real-time collaboration features.
  • Presence: See what people are doing in real-time.
  • Broadcast: Broadcast events and comments.
  • Rooms: Virtual spaces for collaboration.
  • Avatars Stack: Display active users.

Setup

Project Initialization

• Create a new folder and initialize it with Visual Studio Code.
• Set up Next.js project with TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and ESlint.
• Install dependencies:
  • Next.js
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Fabric.js
  • uuid for unique IDs
  • Liveblocks (client, react)
  • Shadcn for components (dropdown, button, etc.)

Project Configuration

• Use the Next.js CLI to set up a starter Next.js application.
• Configure Tailwind CSS settings in tailwind.config.js and add global styles.
• Add favicon and assets for UI.

Fabric.js and Liveblocks Integration

• Initialize Fabric.js for canvas manipulation.
• Set up Liveblocks client to handle real-time collaboration.
• Create a room and set up live.config.ts with API keys.
• Use custom hooks from Liveblocks (e.g., useOthers, useMyPresence, useBroadcastEvent).
• Implement event listeners for various canvas actions like drawing, moving, resizing shapes.

Features Implementation

• Live Cursors: Show real-time cursor movements and messages of other users.
• Cursor Chat: Real-time chat messages appearing near cursors.
• Reactions: Use Emojis to react in real-time; triggered by E key.
• Real-time History: Display layer history in the left sidebar.
• Comment Bubbles: Add comments with Emoji support and threading.
• Undo/Redo: Implemented with Liveblocks hooks for undo/redo actions.
• Context Menu: Custom context menu for additional actions (chat, undo, redo, reactions).
• Grids and Guides: Implement snapping and alignment.

Debugging and Optimization

• Set up global error handling and SSR optimization.
• Use useCallback and other React hooks to optimize re-renders.
• Memomize components to handle cursor color issues.

Deployment

• Push the code to GitHub.
• Configure GitHub Repo.
• Use Vercel for deployment ensuring client-side rendering.
• Configure Vercel for Next.js SSR issues.

Conclusion

• Successfully created a Figma-like collaborative design tool.
• Implemented with real-time features supporting multiple users.
• Application optimized for deployment and real-world usage.

Additional Resources

• Explore further functionalities in Liveblocks documentation.
• Check Next.js and Tailwind CSS advanced features to enhance the app.