3D Sketch: Mirror A 3D Curve?

[MaxHugen]

Can a 3D curve be mirrored in a 3D sketch? I tried a quick test, and it doesn't seem possible... the Mirror tool won't allow me to select the curve.  Unless I'm missing something?

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

you are correct.  You cannot mirror a 3D sketch curve.

[TrippyLighting]

Please describe what you are trying to model and we go from there. If you ask narrow questions (given your lack of experience that generally isn't a good idea!) you'll only receive narrow answers.

Based on what I see in your screenshot my gut tells me that you are on the wrong path!

[MichaelT_123]

Hi MuxHugen,

In the homogenous space XD object can be mirrored by (x-1)D topological plane(s)... so,

1D (line_segment)   - 0D ( point(s) )

2D (curve2D)            - 1D  ( inf_line(s) )

3D (curve3D)           - 2D  ( plane(s) )

In case of heterogenous one as for example:

4D (e.g.3D+T)           - T (past...feature)

An ordinary mirror transforms you (assume you have 3D+T composure) into 2D+T space - painlessly!!!  

There are also T-mirrors (mostly in legends and alike) slicing your in the middle of NOW.

Can you mirror the 3D curve in a sketch? If not, why?

Regards

MichaelT

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

Put the 3d sketch in a component, then mirror the component.

[MaxHugen]

Hey Trippy, it's just part of my learning process, figuring out what I can and can't do.

Currently working on a model of a SailGP F50, but thinking about what I can do better next time, especially with regards to lofting a boat hull etc. I'm inclined to loft just one side, then mirror it as a body.

Cheers, Max

[MaxHugen]

Hi, that sounds like a clever work-around!

Thanks, Max

[TrippyLighting]

It does sound like a clever workaround but it isn't needed. The better workflow you have already described. Mirror geometry.

Also, never use projected curves, or intersection curves to create lofts.

Fusion 360's projection code created bad curvature in many cases.

[MaxHugen]

Thanks for the advice Peter. Not a day does by that I don't learn something. 🙂

[brent.tanner]

This is a great idea, but it doesn't seem to work any longer. I am testing it now and it shows a preview that it will mirror the sketch geometry when I select the new component that I have moved the sketch into, but when I click OK the sketch geometry disappears and the mirrored component does not contain any sketches. I even tried it with creating a body via a sweep and then mirroring the component. That method did mirror the swept body but still did not create any sketches in the mirrored component.  

[TrippyLighting]

1. Please read the rest of the thread 😉

2. Mirroring a component has NEVER also mirrored the sketches.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Though a curve cannot be easily replicated or mirrored, a surface body can do that quite easily. Simply create a ruled surface based on the curve. Then mirror the ruled surface. The edges on the mirrored side can be included or projected to a sketch.

Many thanks!

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Fellows,

Is it eezee? ... Please read my first post here.
Let’s assume that a curve is given by parametric equation (as in F360)  :
F[x,y,z] = f(t)
The current 3D sketch implementation has three intrinsic planes defined (XY,XZ,YZ).
Thus one can eezeely create the corresponding mirrors to the original curve .
MXY_[x,y,z] = MXY_f(t) = F[x,y,-z]
MXZ_[x,y,z] = MZY_f(t) = F[-x,y,z]
MYZ_[x,y,z] = MYZ_f(t) = F[x,-y,z]
... and the implementation of a curve mirroring on sketches intrinsic planes ... seems to be trivial.
On other planes ...? The current sketch object doesn’t define them.

Regards
MichaelT