Use this tool to create a mirror image of an element. |
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q Creating the mirror image of a 2D or a 3D element that is not lying on one of the three orthogonal planes
Amapi 3D surrounds the element in a box whose facets define the different planes of symmetry available.
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Usage:
1. Selecting the element or the part of the element you want to make a mirror image of.
Click with the Wand on the element you want to make a mirror image of.
Use the selection utilities (Lasso or Bullseye) beforehand if you want to make a mirror image of only a part of the element. (See chapter User Manual/Tools/Assistant Palette/Selection Tools).
You cannot make a mirror image of part of a curve.
2. Selecting the Symmetry tool.
Click on the icon depicting the Symmetry tool in the Tools Palette.
A white bounding box encloses the selection.
3. Moving the plane of symmetry, if necessary.
The default plane of symmetry is one of the faces of the bounding box.
You may want to choose a different plane of symmetry. Amapi 3D lets you specify a point which the plane of symmetry will go through This point must be set on an existing point of the scene. You may need to create a point specifically for the purposes of this operation.
To move the plane of symmetry:
Þ On PC: Click the right mouse button; On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button. The Wand cursor changes to a cross.
Þ Position the cursor and click.
4. Selecting the plane of symmetry.
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Click on a face of the bounding box to designate it as the plane of symmetry.
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5. Making additional mirror images.
Go back to step 3 to produce additional mirror images, changing the view if necessary.
6. Ending the tool action.
Validate or put the tool aside to end the tool action (depending on the interface). See chapter User Manual/Tools/Generic use of a tool/How do you end a tool action?
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Practical exercises:
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q Creating the mirror image of a 2D element lying on one of the three orthogonal planes.
Amapi 3D surrounds the element by a frame whose sides define the different axes of symmetry.
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Use
1. Selecting the element or the part of the element you want to make a mirror image of.
With the Wand click on the planar 2D element you want to make a mirror image of.
Use the selection utilities (Lasso or Bullseye) beforehand if you want to make a mirror image of only a part of the element. (See chapter User Manual/Tools/Assistant Palette/Selection Tools.)
You cannot make a mirror image of part of a curve.
2. Selecting the Symmetry tool.
Click on the icon depicting the Symmetry tool in the Tools Palette.
A white rectangle encloses the selection.
3. Designating the axis of symmetry.
You can either:
Þ Click on the icon button in the Assistant Palette corresponding to the chosen direction.
Þ Press the spacebar to toggle from one axis to the other.
4. Moving the axis of symmetry.
The possible axes of symmetry are positioned by default along the edges of the white rectangle.
Amapi 3D allows the axis of symmetry to go through a point not belonging to the edges of the white rectangle. This point must be set on an existing point of the scene. You may need to create a point specifically for the purposes of this operation.
To move the axis of symmetry:
Þ On PC: Click the right mouse button. On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button. The Wand cursor changes to a cross.
Þ Position the cursor and click.
5. Selecting the side where the mirror image will be made (if you did not move the axis of symmetry).
Click on the side of the rectangle where you want to see the mirror image created.
6. Creating additional mirror images.
Go back to step 3 to produce additional mirror images, changing the view if necessary.
7. Ending the tool action.
Validate or put the tool aside to end the tool action (depending on the interface). See chapter User Manual/Tools/Generic use of a tool/How do you end a tool action?
