Symmetry of objects

Introduction

The operation Symmetry of the objects allows for the duplication of the objects by symmetry with respect to:

  • a point
  • a line
  • a face
  • a reference plane

Structure of the operation Symmetry

The operation Symmetry of the objects is describe by:

  • A coordinate system for the creation of points (active coordinate system in the list available on the graphic View)
  • A list of objects on which the symmetry must be applied
  • The type of symmetry
  • The entity in relation with which the symmetry must be applied
  • The appearance of the resulting objects (color and visibility)
Dialog box Illustration

Symmetry types

The table below presents the available types of symmetry.

Symmetry in relation to … Description Illustration
Point

The point in respect to the symmetry which is defined can be :

  • An existing point belonging to an object that is not part of the objects to be turned symmetric
  • An existing point belonging to one of the objects to be turned symmetric
  • An isolated reference point
Line

The line in respect to which the symmetry is defined can be:

  • An existing line belonging to an object that is not part of the objects to be turned symmetric
  • An existing line belonging to one of the objects to be turned symmetric
  • An isolated reference line
Face

The face in respect to which the symmetry is defined can be:

  • An existing face belonging to an object that is not part of the objects to be turned symmetric
  • An existing face belonging to the objects to be turned symmetric
Reference plane

The plane in respect to which the symmetry is defined can be:

  • One of the predefined reference planes
  • One of the planes created by the user

Result

The creation of an operation of Symmetry has as results :

  • A geometric operation SYMMETRY _1.
  • As many geometric operations as the objects to turn symmetric SYMMETRY_1_1, SYMMETRY_1_2… (it permits to isolate each object turned symmetric and to use them independently then).
  • As many objects as the objects to turn symmetric OBJ_SYMMETRY _1_1, OBJ_SYMMETRY _1_2, …
  • The addition of the geometric operation SYMMETRY _1 in the list of geometric operations of each of origin objects
  • The addition of the geometric operations SYMMETRY_1_1, SYMMETRY_1_2… in each of the objects resulting from the symmetry (OBJ_SYMMETRY _1_1, OBJ_SYMMETRY _1_2, …)

Access

The different ways to access the operation Symmetry are:

  • By menu: Tools > Symmetry > New
  • By icon:

Creation of a symmetry of objects

The creation process of a symmetry of objects is presented in the table below.

Stage Description
1 Choice of the coordinate system of creation
2 Opening the dialog box Symmetry
3

Choice of the name of the generated Geometric operation

(by default: SYMMETRY_1)

4 Choice of objects on wich the symmetry must be applied
5 Choice of type of symmetry (in relation to a point, line, face, a reference plane)
6 Choice of the entity in relation to which the symmetry must be applied
7 Validation by clicking on OK

Limitations

In the modification only the originating entity in relation to the applied symmetry is modifiable.

The list of objects generated by the symmetry is not modifiable

The type of symmetry is not modifiable

Example of symmetry of the objects

By means of an example, here are the geometric operations and the objects that are created during the operation of symmetry of objects.

Studied example: symmetry of a block and a cylinder in relation with a reference plane

Before symmetry After symmetry
Data Tree
Objects
Geometric operations

2 geometric operations:

  • BLOCK_1: creation of the object OBJ_BLOCK_1
  • CYLINDER_1: creation of the object OBJ_CYLINDER_1

3 new geometric operations:

  • (Father) SYMMETRY_1: creation of the symmetry
  • (Son) SYMMETRY_1 _1: creation of the object OBJ_SYMMETRY_1_1
  • (Son) SYMMETRY_1_2: creation of the object OBJ_SYMMETRY_1_2
Building the origin tree of the object block
Building the origin tree of the object cylinder
Building trees of the resulting objects _
_