How to use symmetry or mirror in sketchup ?

In SketchUp, there is no direct mirror or symmetry tool, but you can achieve this effect using the Scale tool and the Flip Along option. Below are two common methods to create symmetry or mirror objects in SketchUp.

Method 1: Using the Scale Tool

1. Select the Object:
   • Click on the object (group or component) that you want to mirror.
2. Activate the Scale Tool:
   • Go to the toolbar and click the Scale tool (or press the S key on your keyboard).
3. Scale in the Opposite Direction:
   • Once the object is selected, you’ll see a box with green handles around it.
   • Click on the handle in the direction you want to mirror (left, right, up, or down).
   • Start dragging the handle, and type -1 in the measurement box at the bottom right of your screen. Press Enter.
   • This will flip the object, effectively creating a mirrored version.
4. Position the Mirrored Object (if needed):
   • You may need to move the mirrored object into the correct position, depending on your design.

Method 2: Using Flip Along Axis

1. Select the Object:
   • Click on the object (group or component) that you want to mirror.
2. Create a Copy (Optional):
   • If you want to create a mirror duplicate, you can create a copy of the object first:
     • Press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (Mac) while using the Move Tool (M) to create a copy.
     • Position the copy at the location you want.
3. Use Flip Along:
   • Right-click on the object or its copy.
   • In the context menu, go to Flip Along and choose the axis along which you want to mirror the object:
     • Red Axis (mirrors along the X-axis).
     • Green Axis (mirrors along the Y-axis).
     • Blue Axis (mirrors along the Z-axis).
4. Adjust the Position:
   • If you made a copy, move the mirrored object into the correct location to achieve symmetry.

Tips:

• Group or Component: Before flipping or scaling, it’s a good practice to group the geometry or create a component to prevent distorting other parts of your model.
• Precision: You can use the Move Tool along with the mirror techniques to align the objects perfectly.
• Mirroring along multiple axes: If you need symmetry in multiple directions, you can repeat the mirror operation along different axes.

By using either the Scale Tool with -1 or the Flip Along method, you can easily create mirrored or symmetrical designs in SketchUp.