Symmetry

This geometrical operation allows to perform a symmetrical copy of your mesh or some of its elements.

To create a symmetrical copy:

1. From the Modification menu choose Transformation -> Symmetry item or click "Symmetry" button in the toolbar.

   

   Symmetry button

   One of the following dialogs will appear:

   It is possible to mirror a mesh or some of its elements through:

   

   a point

   
   

   

   an axis

   
   

   

   a plane (defined by a point and a normal to the plane)

2. In the dialog:

   • specify the elements for the symmetry operation:

     • Select the whole mesh, submesh or group activating this checkbox; or
     • choose mesh elements with the mouse in the 3D Viewer. It is possible to select a whole area with a mouse frame; or
     • input the element IDs directly in ID Elements field. The selected elements will be highlighted in the viewer; or
     • apply Filters. Set Filter button allows to apply a filter to the selection of elements.

   • depending on the nature of the mirror object:
     • if the mesh is mirrored through a point, specify the coordinates of the point, either directly or by picking a mesh node;

     • if the mesh is mirrored through an axis:

       • specify the coordinates of the start Point of the axis, either directly or by picking a mesh node;
       • specify the components of axis Vector, either directly or by picking a mesh node, in which case Vector is defined as a shift between the Point and the node;

     • if the mesh is mirrored through a plane:

       • specify the cooordinates of the Point lying on the plane, either directly or by picking a mesh node;
       • specify the components of plane Normal, either directly or by picking a mesh node, in which case Normal is defined as a shift between the Point and the node.

     • specify the conditions of symmetry operation:
       • activate Move elements radio button to change the location of the selected elements within the current mesh;
       • activate Copy elements radio button to duplicate the selected elements at the new location within the current mesh;
       • activate Create as new mesh radio button to create a new element in a new mesh; the new mesh appears in the Object Browser with the default name MeshName_mirrored (it is possible to change this name in the adjacent box);
       • activate Copy groups check-box to put new mesh entities into new groups if source entities belong to some groups. New groups are named by pattern "<old group name>_mirrored".
   • activate Preview check-box to show the result of transformation in the viewer;
   • click Apply or Apply and Close button to confirm the operation.

See Also a sample TUI Script of a Symmetry operation.