Can You Mirror an Assembly in SolidWorks?

The ability to mirror assemblies in SolidWorks can be a valuable tool for designers and engineers. Mirroring allows you to create symmetrical parts or assemblies quickly, saving time and effort. In this tutorial, we will explore how to mirror an assembly in SolidWorks step by step.

Step 1: Open the Assembly

To begin, open the assembly file you wish to mirror. This can be done by navigating to “File” > “Open” and selecting the appropriate file from your computer.

Step 2: Select the Mirror Components Feature

Once the assembly is open, locate the “Mirror Components” feature in the SolidWorks toolbar. This feature can be found under the “Assembly Features” dropdown menu.

Note: Ensure that you are in Edit Part mode before proceeding with the next steps.

Step 3: Select Mirror Plane

In this step, you need to select a mirror plane for your assembly. The mirror plane defines the axis along which your assembly will be mirrored. You can choose any of the available planes or even create a custom plane if required.

To select a mirror plane, click on one of the available planes displayed in your assembly window using your mouse cursor.

Step 4: Choose Components to Mirror

After selecting the mirror plane, it’s time to choose which components you want to mirror. You can either select individual components or select all components using a box selection or by pressing Ctrl + A on your keyboard.

Selecting Individual Components:

Select each component individually by clicking on them with your mouse while holding down the Ctrl key.
Continue selecting components until you have chosen all the desired parts for mirroring.

Selecting All Components:

Click and hold your mouse cursor in an empty area of your assembly window.
Drag your mouse to create a box selection that includes all the components you want to mirror.

Step 5: Configure Mirror Options

Once you have selected the components, it’s time to configure the mirror options. The options include:

Mirror Type: Choose between “Asymmetric” or “Symmetric” mirroring. The asymmetric option maintains the orientation of flipped components, while symmetric mirroring flips and mirrors each component.
Mirror Components in Subassemblies: Check this option if you want to mirror components within subassemblies as well.
Delete Original Components: Enable this option if you want to delete the original components after mirroring. Use with caution as it is irreversible.

Step 6: Click “Mirror”

With all the necessary configurations set, click on the “Mirror” button located at the bottom right corner of the Mirror Components feature window. SolidWorks will then mirror the selected components based on your configurations and display them in your assembly window.

You can now save your mirrored assembly by navigating to “File” > “Save” or by pressing Ctrl + S on your keyboard. Congratulations! You have successfully mirrored an assembly in SolidWorks!

Note: Remember to double-check and ensure that all mirrored components are correctly oriented and positioned before finalizing your design.

By using the Mirror Components feature in SolidWorks, you can quickly create symmetrical assemblies, saving time and effort in your design process. Experiment with different mirror planes and configurations to achieve the desired results for your specific project.