Help Symmetry

Hi

I have created half my mesh and mirrored it to create the other half (with the weld option). Finally figured that out after much experimenting.

I then turn on symmetry and it doesn't work on verts, edges or polys.

What am I doing wrong ?

Looks like you tourned off symettry instead of enable it.

Nope, its on.

Its the little grey butterfly looking button (2nd from left) in the default Nvil layout.

Hi Kevjon,

Once the symmetry axis is set and symmetry enabled, use "Geometry >> Calculate Symmetry Topology"

(Customize tools >> Common Modeling Shortcut tools >> Calculate Symmetry Topology)

you could also try mirroring it using symmetry cut that's what I always use to mirror my models. If your symmetry is on, it would work instantly.

"Geometry >> Symmetry Cut >> negative or postive(depending on the axis of your object x or -x)"

-Arvin

@Steve
Thanks, Unfortunately that did not work with a simple object like a half box with 4 divisions each side.

@arvin
That looks like it works really well except for one problem. The positive or negative symmetry is based off the world x axis so it results in overlapping geometry because my symmetry line is not aligned with the world x axis.

Is there a way to overcome this ?

PS I don't want to have align all my mirrored geometry with the world x or y axis before mirroring

@Steve
Thanks, I'll come back to this suggestion if I can't figure out arvin's suggestion. I did not know there was a tool that can do both the mirror and symmetry at the same time.

@arvin
That looks like it works really well except for one problem. The positive or negative symmetry is based off the world x axis so it results in overlapping geometry because my symmetry line is not aligned with the world x axis.

Is there a way to overcome this ?

PS I don't want to have align all my mirrored geometry with the world x or y axis before mirroring

It is not based on world axis it is based on your objects pivot position, adjusting the pivot position will fix the symmetry cut without moving your object.

PS you could adjust the pivot here " Manipulation >> Pivot"

-Arvin

That doesn't work for me it just results in geometry that mirrors on itself

The first image shows the pivot aligned with cut line in object mode.

Second image shows the result after using "Geometry >> Symmetry Cut >> negative or postive

Hi Kevjon,

The first image shows the pivot aligned with cut line in object mode.

You need to set the object pivot, not manipulor position.

Use command "Object Shortcut tools >> object pivot" or "Streamline engine tools >> Object/Mesh Pivot". Once command active, with vertex snap enabled, RMB on vertex that is on symmetry line, then exit command.
You can check current symmetry plane with "Common modeling shortcut keys >> toggle symmetry plane visible"

Steve is right, what you have done there is that you just move your manipulator position not the pivot. You can adjust it here at " Manipulation >> Pivot", I haven't tried what Steve suggested but mine works enough.

-Arvin

Success !

Toggling on the symmetry plane helped to see what is going on.

Thanks for you help.

"Object Shortcut tools >> object pivot"

This is the same as Pivot under Manipulation->Pivot

"Streamline engine tools >> Object/Mesh Pivot"

This is the solution as it allows you to hold down the MMB to align the x and y axis with your vertices at the symmetry seam. It also makes the symmetry plane jump to the pivot location.

You need to set the object pivot, not manipulator position.

It is one and the same when pivot position is set to object?

I figured out why it wasn't working in the earlier posts. After you align you pivot you need to click on the button "Align all mesh pivots to base" Then the symmetry plane jumps to the pivot position.

"Object Shortcut tools >> object pivot"

This is the same as Pivot under Manipulation->Pivot

Sorry, I was looking at the pic you posted showing the window with "Orientation" + "Pivot position", which is to set manipulator.

Good to hear you found a solution.

Good to hear you found a solution.

Its certainly an overly convoluted way to mirror a mesh so you can work with symmetry. Once I learn how, hopefully I can turn all these steps into one simple tool.

It really should be as simple as mirror the mesh and turn on symmetry like every other program.

Thanks to you and arvin for your help, much appreciated.  I would never have figured it out otherwise.

Nvil tools always work in manipulator space...which is different to other programs.  This allows you to work comfortably with all tools without needing to have the model aligned to world coordinates.  I find this superior because i can model off center and all tools are still flexible.

Hi Mason

I don't really understand what you mean. Are you able to elaborate or give an example ?

Do you mean you need to align the objects Pivot Positon and rotation for tools in Nvil to give an expected result ?