How Do You Mirror a Part and Originally in SolidWorks?

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In SolidWorks, mirroring a part or an assembly is a useful feature that allows you to create symmetrical designs quickly. Whether you want to save time or simply design complex shapes, mirroring can be a handy tool in your SolidWorks toolbox.

What is Mirroring?

Mirroring is the process of creating a mirror image of an object. In SolidWorks, you can mirror individual parts or entire assemblies. When you mirror a part or assembly, the software creates a new copy that is an exact reflection of the original.

How to Mirror a Part in SolidWorks

Mirroring a part in SolidWorks is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps:

  1. Select the part you want to mirror from the FeatureManager Design Tree.
  2. Right-click on the selected part and choose “Mirror Part” from the context menu.
  3. A dialog box titled “Mirror Part” will appear. Here, you have two options: Mirror about Plane and Mirror about Face.
    • If you choose “Mirror about Plane,” you need to select a plane as the mirror plane. The part will be mirrored across this selected plane.
    • If you choose “Mirror about Face,” you need to select a face as the reference for mirroring. The part will be mirrored across this selected face.
  4. Select either “Mirror about Plane” or “Mirror about Face” and click “Next.

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  5. The next step allows you to modify settings such as position and orientation for the mirrored part. Make any necessary adjustments and click “Next. “
  6. Rename the mirrored part if desired and choose a location to save the new file. Click “Finish. “

How to Mirror an Assembly in SolidWorks

If you want to mirror an entire assembly in SolidWorks, the process is similar:

  1. Select the assembly you want to mirror from the FeatureManager Design Tree.
  2. Right-click on the selected assembly and choose “Mirror Assembly” from the context menu.
  3. The “Mirror Assembly” dialog box will appear. Select a plane or face as the mirror reference and click “Next. “
  4. In the next step, modify settings for position and orientation, if needed. Click “Next.

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  5. Rename the mirrored assembly if desired and choose a location to save the new file. “

Tips for Mirroring Parts and Assemblies in SolidWorks

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using mirroring in SolidWorks:

  • Avoid making changes to mirrored features or components directly. Instead, edit the original part or assembly, and any changes will be automatically reflected in the mirrored version.
  • If you need to make changes specific to the mirrored part or assembly, create derived configurations of both the original and mirrored versions.
    • You can then make modifications independently without affecting each other.
  • Remember that mirroring is not suitable for all designs.
    • If your design requires unique features or asymmetry, avoid mirroring.
  • Keep track of mirrored parts and assemblies by using clear naming conventions to avoid confusion in large projects.

By mastering the mirroring feature in SolidWorks, you can save time and effort while achieving symmetrical designs. Remember to experiment and practice with different mirroring techniques to gain a deeper understanding of this powerful feature.