How Do You Mirror in SketchUp?

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In SketchUp, mirroring is a useful tool that allows you to create symmetrical designs and models. Whether you want to mirror a single object or an entire group of objects, SketchUp provides a simple and efficient way to achieve this. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to mirror in SketchUp.

Mirror Tool

The Mirror tool in SketchUp allows you to create a mirrored copy of an object across a selected plane. Here’s how you can use it:

  1. Select the object(s) you want to mirror by clicking on them.
  2. Go to the Tools menu and select “Mirror” or use the keyboard shortcut “M”.
  3. Click on the plane you want to mirror the object(s) across. You can choose any existing face or draw a new one.
  4. SketchUp will create a mirrored copy of the selected object(s) on the opposite side of the chosen plane.

Note: The original object(s) will remain intact, and only a mirrored copy will be created.

Flip Along

If you want to mirror an object along a specific axis, SketchUp provides the Flip Along command. This command allows you to flip an object along any of its three axes: red (X), green (Y), or blue (Z). Here’s how to use it:

  1. Select the object(s) you want to mirror by clicking on them.
  2. Right-click on the selection and choose “Flip Along” from the context menu.
  3. Select the desired axis (X, Y, or Z) along which you want to flip/mirror the object(s).
  4. The object(s) will be mirrored along the selected axis.

Note: The Flip Along command mirrors the object(s) along a specific axis, but it does not create a copy. Instead, it flips the object(s) in place.

Mirror Using Scale

Another way to achieve mirroring in SketchUp is by using the Scale tool. This method allows you to mirror an object by scaling it negatively along a specific axis. Here’s how:

  1. Select the object(s) you want to mirror by clicking on them.
  2. Activate the Scale tool from the Tools menu or use the keyboard shortcut “S”.
  3. Click on one of the corners or edges of the selected object(s) to set the base point for scaling.
  4. Move your cursor towards the opposite side of the selected base point along the desired axis (red, green, or blue).
  5. Type “-1” (minus one) and hit Enter on your keyboard.

Note: The Scale tool with a negative value mirrors/flips an object along a specific axis while keeping its original size intact. This method also doesn’t create a separate mirrored copy.

Tips for Mirroring Objects in SketchUp:

  • Grouping: Whenever possible, group your objects before mirroring them. This helps preserve their individual properties and prevents unintentional changes during mirroring.
  • Mirroring Components: If you want to mirror multiple instances of a component in SketchUp, edit one instance of that component and apply mirroring techniques mentioned above. All other instances will automatically update to reflect the changes.
  • Undo: In case you make a mistake while mirroring, you can always use the Undo command (Ctrl+Z) to revert the changes.

With these techniques at your disposal, you can easily mirror objects in SketchUp and enhance your design workflow. Experiment with different methods and explore the creative possibilities of symmetrical modeling!