topic Mirrored 'copies'? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Mirrored 'copies'?

will.dameron — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:19:03 GMT

Say I would like to make a toolbox, and it will have drawer slides. I would like to be able to create the two sides, and make a sketch on ONE side with points. I will then use the hole command to make holes everywhere I want drawer slide screwd to go. I would love for the other side to update and have those same holes, but they both need to be on the inside, not a direct copy where they would both end up on the same side - basically I need a mirrored component that is still associative.

Also, later there will be differences in the sides - my plan was maybe to break the link between the two later on (paste new?), and then make indvidual changes. If I need to make global changes then I could roll the timeline back, make the changes, and then roll forward again.

I feel like this should be so easy, but right now I can't do it - I have to make individual sketches for each side. Not a huge deal, except these boxes are actually quite complex. Any ideas?

Re: Mirrored 'copies'?

Drewpan — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:48:57 GMT

Hi,

When designing symmetry is one of your best friends. We want to work Smart and not Hard.

If you have a design that is totally symmetrical in one or more planes then the easiest way is

to simply model the bit you want and then at the very last moment use the Mirror command

to complete your model. An example of this would be the way many of the users who model

Boats and/or Aircraft. Either model is typically very highly symmetrical so they simply model

half of it and at the last moment Mirror it. Then it is a simple job of finishing the model by

adding the stuff that is non-symmetrical. Boats for example might only have a deck hatch on

one side.

When using this technique in a practical way there will always be Components, Assemblies

and Sub-assemblies that you WANT to be symmetrical no matter what. These will be the

Parts that you would Copy/Paste, although the Mirror command is better. Then you have

a whole bunch of Parts that are NOT Symmetrical you add. You don't have to change your

Workflow to get what you want. Careful management of the Timeline and logical creation

of your model should be enough to achieve what you want.

The Copy/Paste command will work fine if you have a whole bunch of boxes that you want

to Cookie Cut in rows and columns. If you want Symmetry then Mirror is the Tool you want

to use.

Cheers

Andrew

Re: Mirrored 'copies'?

TheCADWhisperer — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 01:41:10 GMT

@will.dameron wrote:
I feel like this should be so easy...

@will.dameron

It is easy.

Attach your file here and one of the experts here will demonstrate the logic of how using your actual geometry.