In Solidworks, mirroring geometry that has already been mirrored is straightforward: you simply apply the Mirror command again to the features, faces, or bodies resulting from the previous mirror operation.
"Mirroring a mirror" in Solidworks typically refers to performing a subsequent mirror command on geometry that was created by a previous mirror command. You don't mirror the "mirror operation" itself, but rather the resulting shape or features.
The Solidworks Mirror Process
The core process for mirroring any geometry in Solidworks involves using the dedicated Mirror command. Whether you are performing the first mirror or a subsequent one on already-mirrored geometry, the steps are essentially the same.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Access the Mirror Command: You can usually find the Mirror command on the Features toolbar or under Insert > Pattern/Mirror > Mirror.
- Define the Mirror Plane: You must select a plane (like a standard plane - Front, Top, Right), a planar face on your model, or a construction plane to mirror the geometry across. This acts as the reflection line or plane.
- Select Geometry to Mirror: This is where you choose what you want to mirror. As the reference states: "We can select features or faces to the entire body to mirror. We will select the feature from the graphics area or the design tree." You have options:
- Features to Mirror: Select specific features from the graphics area or the Design Tree. This will mirror the geometry created by those features.
- Faces to Mirror: Select specific faces. This is useful for mirroring complex surfaces or parts of features.
- Bodies to Mirror: If your part has multiple solid or surface bodies, you can choose to mirror entire bodies. This is often the easiest way to mirror a whole section of a multi-body part or an entire part if it's a single body.
- Complete the Command: Once you have selected the mirror plane and the geometry, you review the preview (if shown) and then "hit the green check mark to complete the command," as mentioned in the reference.
Mirroring Already Mirrored Geometry
If you want to "mirror a mirror," meaning you want to perform a second mirror operation on geometry you just mirrored (e.g., mirroring something across the XZ plane, and then mirroring the result, including the original and the first mirror, across the YZ plane), you follow the exact same process:
- Select the Mirror command again.
- Select a new mirror plane (or potentially the same plane if that's the desired outcome).
- Select the features, faces, or bodies that include the geometry resulting from the first mirror operation. You can often select features from the Design Tree that were created by the first mirror command, or select the entire body if the mirrored geometry is part of it.
- Complete the command.
This allows you to create symmetrical geometry across multiple planes.
Practical Insight:
- When mirroring features, Solidworks adds a "Mirror" feature to your Design Tree. You can edit this feature later to change the mirror plane or the features being mirrored.
- Mirroring bodies can be useful for creating symmetrical multi-body parts or preparing parts for assembly modeling. You can choose to create a new mirrored body or merge the mirrored body with the original (if they intersect).
Essentially, the Mirror command is a tool you apply to geometry. Applying it multiple times to the resulting geometry is how you achieve "mirroring a mirror" in Solidworks.
