Displaying a 3D Shape Symmetrically

You can visualize a 3D shape symmetrically in relation to a plane, in a product context. This allows you to work on half of the geometry only, therefore with a smaller document size-wise, but to view the final element as a whole.

Before you begin: Open an existing 3D shape.
  1. Expand the tree down to the Part5, then double-click it.
  2. From the View section of the action bar, click Visual Symmetry .
  3. Select the 3D shape to be mirrored from the tree.
  4. Select the mirror plane.


    Important: The mirror plane can be a plane or any planar face that the system recognizes as a plane (a planar face of a pad, for example, and so forth).
    A part, symmetrical in relation to the selected plane, is displayed.

    • The 3D shape is also duplicated in the tree. However, even though it will be saved within the document, this 3D shape cannot be edited as geometry. It is modified only as the result of modifications performed on the initial part.
    • Indeed you are not even allowed to select the mirrored elements in the geometry. If you select a mirrored element in the tree, you will note that the highlighted geometry belongs to the initial part.
  5. From the Edition section of the action bar, click Control Points .
    The Control Points dialog box appears.
  6. Choose the adequate options and modify the initial 3D shape as needed.
    The mirrored 3D shape reflects exactly the modifications imposed on the initial part.

  7. Click OK in the Control Points dialog box.
    You can then save and close the 3D shape. The mirrored 3D shape is retained, and is present when you open these documents again.