Recently, while browsing the design community, I noticed a particularly interesting phenomenon: many designers claim Figma is the GOAT, but when it comes to actually creating shadow effects, they all secretly open web-based CSS shadow generators. Isn't that strange? Figma is so powerful, why can't it handle shadows properly?
Actually, this isn't about designers being disloyal—it's because Figma really falls short when it comes to shadows. Figma offers only a few shadow parameters: angle, blur, opacity. No matter how you tweak them, you get the same limited effects. Want to create a slightly more complex multi-layer shadow? Good luck stacking effects layer by layer, adjusting one after another until your eyes glaze over.
But CSS shadow generators are a different story—they're practically tailor-made for modern design. Open a reliable generator like Neumorphism.io or CSS Shadow Generator, and the precision of parameter adjustment leaves Figma in the dust. X-axis offset, Y-axis offset, blur radius, spread radius, opacity, color—every parameter can be adjusted independently with real-time preview. Want a frosted glass effect? A few tweaks and it's done. Want a 3D floating button? Done in seconds.
When it comes to efficiency, CSS shadow generators output code directly—copy and paste, and you're done. With Figma, you have to export the design, then hand-write the CSS or use plugins to convert, wasting who knows how much time in between. In the AI design era, efficiency is everything—who wants to dawdle?
Another crucial point: modern CSS shadow generators support multi-layer shadow stacking, and some even support gradient shadows and dynamic shadows. Hover your mouse over an element, and the shadow moves with it. This kind of micro-interaction is a pain to create in Figma, but with a generator, it's a matter of minutes.
Some might argue that Figma is a design tool, not meant for front-end coding. That's true, but the problem is that design is getting closer to development—designers need to understand some code logic to communicate smoothly with developers. CSS shadow generators serve as the perfect bridge, allowing designers to produce production-ready code without deep CSS knowledge.
Moreover, many generators now integrate AI. You type a description like "soft outer glow effect," and the AI adjusts all the parameters for you, generating the corresponding CSS code. This experience is far more satisfying than dragging and dropping in Figma. Figma has AI features too, but they focus mainly on layout and components—shadows haven't kept up.
Of course, I'm not saying Figma is useless—it remains irreplaceable in the overall design workflow. But when you zoom in on the vertical scenario of shadows, CSS shadow generators are indeed better. Especially in today's fast-paced design environment, whoever saves time on details can focus on more important creative work.
So here's my advice: don't cling to Figma exclusively—use generators when appropriate. They're free, save time and effort, and produce better results. Instead of struggling in Figma to achieve the effect you want, try a different tool—you might just open the door to a new world. When it comes to tools, the right fit matters most; there's no need to hang yourself from one tree.