Defining Symmetric Zones

You can define two zones of the same subdivision surface as symmetric zones.

Elements of the symmetric zones are constrained, therefore all operations performed on the mesh are automatically done on both sides of the mesh.

Before you begin: Create a shape containing a subdivision surface.
  1. From the Shape Sculpt section of the action bar, click Symmetric Zone .

    You can also access this command by pressing ALT+SHIFT+K.

  2. Select the surface.
  3. From the Tools Palette, click one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Reset All Resets all symmetric zone features.
    Select Zone 1 Lets you select a first zone.
    Select Zone 2 Lets you select the zone symmetric to the first zone.
    Select Whole Zone Lets you select the set of faces to constrain.
    Select Cutting Edges Frontier Lets you define cutting edges. Selecting one edge is enough, a propagation defines through the set of faces the symmetry on the right and on the left of the edge frontier.
    Note: The two selected zones must have the same number of faces and edges.
    Mesh Symmetry Performs a symmetry on the whole mesh. When you click this command, the following five options appear:
    Robot Definition Modifies the origin and orientation of the Robot and exits to the previous function.
    Reset Robot Resets the orientation of the Robot to the model axis.
    Plane Selection Activates the plane selection.
    Plane Translation Translates the plane.
    Plane Rotation Rotates the plane.
    Symmetrize Selected Faces Performs a symmetry on the selected faces. The Switch Symmetry Side icon appears and lets you select the side to keep.
    Apply Mean Symmetry Performs a symmetry at the mean plane between the selected elements.
    Note: Symmetrize Selected Faces and Apply Mean Symmetry are available when the two selected zones have the same number of faces and edges.
    All Elements Selection Selects all elements.
    Apply (Enter) Validates the command.
  4. Select the elements to constrain.
    No vertex is modified and the subdivision surface remains unchanged.

  5. To constrain two zones, do the following
    1. Click Select Zone 1 and select a first zone.


    2. Click Select Zone 2 and select a second zone.


      The selected zones are indicated in red.



    3. Click Apply (Enter) .
      The SymmetricZone.x feature is created within the Subdivision Surface.x node in the tree.
  6. To translate a vertex and its symmetric element, do the following:
    1. From the Shape Sculpt section of the action bar, click Shape Sculpt .
    2. From the Tools Palette, click Translation .
    3. Select a vertex of the previously selected symmetric zone and drag the pointer.
    The selected vertex and its symmetric element are both translated.

  7. To symmetrize a whole mesh, do the following:
    1. From the Shape Sculpt section of the action bar, click Symmetric Zone .
    2. Click Mesh Symmetry .
    The whole mesh is symmetrized.

    You can click Switch Symmetry Side to invert the side to keep.



  8. Select several elements and click Symmetrize Selected Faces .
    All the selected elements of the mesh are symmetrized.

    You can click Switch Symmetry Side to invert the side to keep.