How Do I Mirror a Line in SolidWorks?

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Mirroring a line in SolidWorks can be a useful technique when designing symmetrical parts or features. By mirroring, you can save time and effort by creating only one side of the part or feature and then automatically generating the mirrored side. In this article, we will explore how to mirror a line in SolidWorks using three different methods.

Method 1: Mirror Entities

One way to mirror a line in SolidWorks is by using the Mirror Entities tool. This method is especially useful when you want to mirror multiple entities such as lines, arcs, or sketch entities.

  1. Select the line that you want to mirror.
  2. Go to the “Sketch” tab in the Command Manager and click on “Mirror”.
  3. In the Mirror PropertyManager, select the plane or sketch entity about which you want to mirror the line.
  4. Click “OK”. The line will be mirrored according to your selection.

Note: Make sure that you have an appropriate symmetry plane or sketch entity created before using this method. Otherwise, you may need to create one first using tools like planes or centerlines.

Method 2: Convert Entities and Mirror Sketch

If you have already created a part or feature and want to mirror it along with its associated sketch entities, you can use the Convert Entities and Mirror Sketch method.

  1. Select the desired part or feature that contains the line you want to mirror.
  2. Right-click on it and choose “Edit Sketch” from the context menu. This will open up the sketch associated with that part or feature.
  3. In the sketch environment, go to “Tools” > “Sketch Tools” > “Convert Entities”.

    This will convert the selected line into a sketch entity.

  4. Exit the sketch environment by clicking on “Exit Sketch”.
  5. Go to the “Insert” tab in the Command Manager and click on “Mirror Part”.
  6. Select the part or feature you want to mirror.
  7. Select the plane or sketch entity about which you want to mirror the part or feature. The line and its associated part or feature will be mirrored as per your selection.

Note: The Convert Entities tool helps to create a separate sketch entity that can be used for mirroring. Make sure to exit the sketch environment before using the Mirror Part tool.

Method 3: Symmetry Relation

In some cases, you may not need to explicitly use the Mirror tool. SolidWorks provides a Symmetry relation that allows you to create symmetrical sketches without mirroring explicitly.

  1. Create a reference plane or use an existing symmetry plane if available.
  2. Create one side of the line or sketch entities that you want to mirror.
  3. Select both entities (the line and the reference/symmetry plane).
  4. In the PropertyManager, click on “Symmetry”.

Note: The Symmetry relation automatically mirrors any new entities added after applying it. It’s important to have an appropriate symmetry plane or reference created before using this method.

These are three different methods you can use to mirror a line in SolidWorks. Each method has its own advantages and can be selected based on your specific design requirements. Experiment with these methods to find the one that works best for your design needs.