Symmetry vs Mirroring

Two functions, "Symmetric editing" and "Mirroring", are provided as the methods to create bilateral symmetric objects which are very effective in making like characters.

Symmetry

Symmetric editing becomes effective when you press the [Sym] button in the edit option group on command panel.

Be sure to know that this symmetric editing does not create the other side of the object in real time. When you operate with some command like [Create] [Move] [Scale] [Rotate] [Magnet], it searches the pairs of vertices or faces selected on the spot and it gives operations to the pair at the same time. Processing takes time if there are many vertices because it is to find symmetrical vertices for each operation.

When [Move non-symmetry vertex] in [Configuration > Edit] is set [Fix x=0], if you move a vertex that doesn't have a symmetrical vertex, the coordinates of the vertex are fixed at X = 0. This option support to place vertices on YZ plane easily.

Commands like [Knife > Saw] are not available with symmetric editing.

Mirroring

The mirrored face is shown in real time, when you set an object [Mirroring] in the dialogue of [Object property]. This means that only one side is saved in data and both sides are only shown when it is displayed. As only one side is saved in data, symmetry is maintained for all commands without fail.

You can make the other side of the datum with [Menu > Object > Freeze] and it is usually frozen automatically when you export it in the files other than MQO/MQOZ.