How do I mirror block without mirroring text?

To mirror blocks without mirroring the text contained within them, you need to adjust a specific system setting, commonly known as MIRRTEXT. By setting its value to 0, you can ensure that text remains legible and unmirrored when its containing block is reflected.

Understanding Text Mirroring in Blocks

When you mirror an object or a block in design software, any text associated with that object or within the block typically mirrors along with it. This often results in unreadable text, which can be problematic for annotations, labels, or any textual information crucial for your design. The ability to mirror graphical elements while preserving text orientation is essential for maintaining clarity and professionalism in your drawings.

The MIRRTEXT System Variable

The primary solution to prevent text from mirroring is to control the MIRRTEXT system variable. This variable dictates whether text objects inside a block are mirrored along with the block itself.

Setting MIRRTEXT to 0 is the key to ensuring that text within mirrored blocks remains in its original, readable orientation.

How to Adjust the MIRRTEXT Setting

While specific software interfaces may vary, the general principle involves accessing system settings or command line options. As highlighted in resources such as "How to STOP Text Mirroring in Blocks", this setting is typically accessible through the software's interface:

1. Navigate to the Top Command Line Area: Look for the command line or a settings area at the top of your software interface.
2. Locate the Expansion Arrow: Find a small arrow, often pointing downwards or to the right, which indicates a dropdown menu or an expansion of options.
3. Click and Select: Left-click on this arrow to reveal further options. You will then typically click down further or navigate through menus to find the relevant setting that controls text mirroring.

Practical Steps (Common CAD Software Example):

While the exact pathway described in the reference points to a graphical interface method, the most common way to change MIRRTEXT is via the command line:

1. Type MIRRTEXT: In your software's command line, type MIRRTEXT and press Enter.
2. Enter New Value: The command line will prompt you for a new value.
3. Set to 0: Type 0 and press Enter.

Once MIRRTEXT is set to 0, any future mirroring operations on blocks will mirror the graphical components but leave the text unmirrored and readable.

Considerations for Existing Blocks

It's important to note that changing the MIRRTEXT variable primarily affects future mirroring operations. If you have already mirrored blocks with MIRRTEXT set to 1 (default), their text will remain mirrored. To correct these, you would typically need to:

• Re-mirror the blocks: Delete the incorrectly mirrored blocks and re-mirror them after setting MIRRTEXT to 0.
• Edit the block: In some cases, if the text is a separate object, you might be able to manually reorient it within the mirrored block definition.

By understanding and utilizing the MIRRTEXT variable, you can effectively control how text behaves during mirroring operations, ensuring professional and readable designs.