To turn on Dynamic Mirror in SolidWorks, you need to be in an open sketch and select a line or edge to mirror about, then activate the Dynamic Mirror Entities command.
Dynamic Mirror is a useful SolidWorks sketching tool that allows you to automatically mirror sketch entities as you draw them, speeding up the creation of symmetric geometry.
Steps to Activate Dynamic Mirror
Here are the steps to enable the Dynamic Mirror feature in your SolidWorks sketch:
- Select a Mirror Axis: In an open sketch, select a line or a model edge that will serve as your mirror axis.
- Access the Command:
- Click Dynamic Mirror Entities directly from the Sketch toolbar if it's visible.
- Alternatively, go to Tools > Sketch Tools > Dynamic Mirror.
- Start Sketching: Once activated, SolidWorks will indicate the active mirror axis. As you create sketch entities (lines, circles, arcs, etc.) on one side of the mirror axis, SolidWorks will automatically create the mirrored entity on the other side.
Here's a quick summary table:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Select Axis | Choose a line or edge in the open sketch. |
| 2. Activate | Click Dynamic Mirror Entities (toolbar) or Tools > Sketch Tools > Dynamic Mirror. |
| 3. Sketch | Draw entities; they will be mirrored automatically. |
Turning Dynamic Mirror Off
To deactivate the Dynamic Mirror feature and stop mirroring entities as you sketch:
- Click the Dynamic Mirror Entities command again (either from the Sketch toolbar or the Tools menu).
This will toggle the feature off, and you can continue sketching normally without automatic mirroring.
