Built a Figma plugin for removing objects from images with AI. First version took 12 seconds. Nobody waited. Got it down to 2 seconds.
What was slow:
- Base64 conversions (Figma's image API is clunky)
- Wrong AI model (Stable Diffusion was overkill)
- Waiting for complete response before showing anything
What worked:
- Switched to LaMa model (faster, simpler)
- Show preview immediately, refine in background
- Better use of Replicate's streaming API
Figma plugin quirks:
- Can't edit pixels directly - export/import only
- Memory limits crash on large images
- Transparent PNGs break everything
Got 105 users in a week from 2 Reddit posts. Currently averaging 1.8 seconds per removal.
What was slow: - Base64 conversions (Figma's image API is clunky) - Wrong AI model (Stable Diffusion was overkill) - Waiting for complete response before showing anything
What worked: - Switched to LaMa model (faster, simpler) - Show preview immediately, refine in background - Better use of Replicate's streaming API
Figma plugin quirks: - Can't edit pixels directly - export/import only - Memory limits crash on large images - Transparent PNGs break everything
Got 105 users in a week from 2 Reddit posts. Currently averaging 1.8 seconds per removal.
Figma Plugin: https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/1576512610054427811/p...
Replicate Model: https://replicate.com/dpakkk/image-object-removal
Anyone else optimized plugins in sandboxed environments? What tricks am I missing?