Alright, let's get started! Open up a new Figma file or an existing one where you want to create your illustration. Grab the Pen Tool (shortcut P) from the toolbar. Click on the canvas to set your starting point. Each click adds a new node, and the lines between these nodes will form the skeleton of your vector network.

Keep using the Pen Tool to add more points. But instead of making separate paths, try to connect existing points to build a network. You can create some pretty intricate shapes by linking nodes in various patterns, forming complex structures without sticking to traditional stroke paths.

Switch to the Move Tool (shortcut V), and click on any node to move it around. To tweak the curves of the lines, use the Bézier handles that pop up when you select a node. Drag these handles to smooth out or sharpen the curves, depending on what your design needs.

To add more detail to your illustration, use the Split Paths option. Select a node, right-click, and find the Split Path option. This will let you break a line segment into multiple segments. On the flip side, you can merge two nodes by selecting them and choosing the Join Selection option from the right-click menu.

Once your vector network is set up, it's time to add some style! Use the Fill and Stroke properties to different segments. The Fill panel lets you add colors, gradients, or patterns to the enclosed areas. The Stroke panel is where you can change the thickness, color, and add dash patterns to your lines.

Take advantage of Figma’s vector networks to create complex shapes by adding and merging more nodes as needed. You can also use Boolean operations like Union, Subtract, Intersect, and Exclude to combine different vector shapes in more advanced ways.

Keep things tidy by naming and grouping your layers properly. Use the Layers Panel to give meaningful names to different parts of your illustration. Group related elements together by selecting multiple nodes or paths and pressing Ctrl+G (Cmd+G on Mac) for better organization and easier editing.

When you're happy with your illustration, it's time to export it. Select the entire vector network or individual components. Head over to the Export settings in the right-hand panel, pick the file format you want (like PNG, SVG, or PDF), and click Export to save your work.

By following these steps, you can use Figma’s vector networks to create detailed and advanced illustrations with a lot of flexibility and precision.