The Mirror command in SolidWorks is a powerful feature that allows you to create symmetrical designs efficiently. This command is especially useful when you need to create components that are symmetrically opposite to each other, saving you time and effort in the design process.
How Does the Mirror Command Work?
The Mirror command in SolidWorks works by creating a mirrored copy of a selected feature, body, or component. It reflects the selected object across a specified plane, resulting in a symmetrical design. Let’s take a closer look at how this command can be used effectively.
Selecting Objects
To use the Mirror command, you first need to select the object or objects that you want to mirror. This can be done by simply clicking on the desired feature, body, or component in the SolidWorks graphics area. You can also select multiple objects by holding down the Ctrl key while making your selections.
Specifying the Mirror Plane
After selecting the objects, you need to specify the mirror plane. The mirror plane acts as an axis of symmetry for your design. You can choose from various options for defining the mirror plane:
- Selecting an Existing Plane: You can select an existing reference plane or planar face as your mirror plane.
- Create New Plane: If you don’t have an appropriate existing plane, you can create a new one by specifying three points or distance and angle measurements.
- Selecting Edges: Instead of using a traditional mirror plane, you can also select edges as your mirror line.
Mirror Options
Once you have selected your objects and defined the mirror plane, SolidWorks provides several options for controlling how the mirrored copy is created:
- Copy Geometry Only: This option creates a mirrored copy of the selected objects without any associativity to the original objects. Any changes made to the original objects will not affect the mirrored copy.
- Copy with Mates: If you want the mirrored copy to maintain its associativity with the original objects, you can choose this option. Any mates or relations applied to the original objects will be copied and updated for the mirrored copy.
- Instances to Mirror: You can choose whether you want to mirror all instances of a selected component or just specific instances.
- Delete Originals: If you no longer need the original objects after creating the mirrored copy, you can choose to delete them automatically.
The Benefits of Using the Mirror Command
The Mirror command in SolidWorks offers several benefits that make it an essential tool for designers:
- Time-Saving: By creating symmetrical designs efficiently, the Mirror command saves valuable design time.
- Ease of Use: The intuitive interface of SolidWorks makes it easy to select objects and define mirror planes.
- Associativity: The option to maintain associations between original and mirrored objects ensures design modifications are reflected accurately.
In Conclusion
The Mirror command in SolidWorks is a powerful feature that simplifies the creation of symmetrical designs. By selecting objects, specifying a mirror plane, and choosing from various options, designers can efficiently create mirrored copies while maintaining associativity with original components.
The time-saving benefits and ease of use make this command an invaluable tool in SolidWorks.