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 img in the toolbar.

    The following dialogs will appear, where you can choose a way to mirror:

    • through a point:

    _images/symmetry1.png
    • through an axis:

    _images/symmetry2.png
    • through a plane (defined by a point and a normal to the plane):

    _images/symmetry3.png
  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 Dialog 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 coordinates 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.