While "mirroring a pose" can refer to flipping an existing drawing layer or a 3D model pose, a common way to achieve a mirrored pose effect while drawing is by using the Symmetry Ruler in Clip Studio Paint, a tool highlighted in discussions about drawing symmetrically and referenced in the provided video context about drawing "Symmetrically EASY".
Using the Symmetry Ruler is a "really neat tool" that allows you to draw one half of a pose or character, and Clip Studio Paint automatically mirrors your strokes on the other side, making it simple to create perfectly symmetrical poses. This method is effective for creating balanced character designs, illustrations, and various symmetrical patterns like "celtic. Knots" or other "Types of designs".
Using the Symmetry Ruler for Mirrored Poses
The Symmetry Ruler works by creating a central line (or multiple lines) on your canvas. Anything you draw on one side of the line is automatically duplicated and mirrored on the other side.
Here are the steps to use the Symmetry Ruler for drawing a symmetrical pose:
- Open Your Canvas: Start with a new or existing illustration canvas in Clip Studio Paint.
- Access the Ruler Tools: Navigate to the main menu at the top of the screen.
- Create the Ruler: Go to Ruler > Create Ruler > Symmetry ruler.
- Configure the Ruler:
- A dialog box will appear allowing you to set the properties of the ruler.
- For mirroring a pose, you typically only need a single line of symmetry. Set the Number of lines to
2. (Setting it to 2 creates one mirroring line, dividing the canvas into two mirrored sections). - You can also choose whether to enable Line symmetry (mirrors across the line) and Point symmetry (rotates around the center point). For a standard mirrored pose, ensure Line symmetry is checked and Point symmetry is usually unchecked.
- Place the Ruler: Click and drag on your canvas to draw the symmetry line. For a vertically mirrored pose, draw a straight vertical line through the center of your character's intended position. You can hold down the Shift key while dragging to constrain the line to perfectly vertical, horizontal, or 45-degree angles.
- Adjust the Ruler (Optional): Once placed, you can select the ruler with the Operation tool (usually the "Object" sub tool) to move it, rotate it, or adjust its properties in the Tool Property palette.
- Start Drawing: Select any drawing tool (Pen, Pencil, Brush, etc.). As you draw on one side of the symmetry line, your strokes will automatically appear mirrored on the opposite side. Draw your pose, focusing on one half, and the other half will be created symmetrically.
- Hide or Delete the Ruler: Once you've finished drawing the symmetrical pose, you can hide the ruler by going to View > Show/Hide Ruler. To remove it permanently, select it with the Operation tool and press the Delete key.
| Feature | Description | Use for Mirrored Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetry ruler | Tool for creating mirrored strokes while drawing | Creates perfect pose symmetry |
| Number of lines | Sets how many symmetry lines are created | 2 for a single mirror line |
| Line symmetry | Mirrors strokes across the ruler line | Essential for mirroring poses |
As demonstrated in resources discussing symmetrical drawing like the referenced video context ([0:00 - 0:54]), using the Symmetry Ruler is an easy and efficient way to ensure perfect balance when creating symmetrical designs and character poses in Clip Studio Paint. It acts as a powerful "neat tool" simplifying the process.
