Using the mirror function save time?

[smallfavor]

I'm accustomed to using a mirror function to quickly create additional objects.  When I try this in F it's not as predictable.

[SEIZMICdesign]

Mirrored joints is a long-time request around here. Not sure when it will implemented.

I'm not the foremost expert on this, but there are two ways to get your mirrored component to move reflectively with the original. Both require history to be on AFAIK.

1- with the sketch; if you constrain your original bracket sketch to the origin point, when you go back and change how far away from the origin/center line the sketch is, the mirrored component will hop into place after you finish the sketch.

2- with a move/capture position instance; after you've built your component, move it to your desired location. in your tool bar will appear two icons, one for keeping the move, and one for discarding it. Keep the move, then mirror. Now if you go back and update your move instance in the timeline, your mirrored component will hop into place when you save the changes to the move instance.

To my knowledge, components aren't just instantly mirrored to each other where you can drag either one around and the other one does a live reflection. 

[smallfavor]

I see...

The time line feature has given me more headaches and unproductive days than I care to remember.  At this point I'm interested in the assembly function to test design work so I'll have to forget about the mirror functionality.

Thanks for the quick response

[SEIZMICdesign]

Oh that's a shame. Once you get the hang of it, it's indispensable. I never work without it.

[GRSnyder]

@SEIZMICdesign's answer is good. Two additional points that might be worth making:

1) You don't need to pre-move your design before mirroring to allow for future adjustments. Just remember that mirroring is a timeline event, not an ongoing relationship. You can always go back in the timeline before the mirror and move or joint things freely.

2) If you're using joints just for static positioning (as opposed to dynamic simulation), you needn't bother replicating your joints in a mirrored component. Just let the source component do the positioning and after the mirror operation, define the mirrored components as a Rigid Group. That will lock them into the same relative positioning as found in the source.

[jeff_strater]

Regarding moving one component and the other not moving - you mentioned that you are not using history in this design - that is why the mirrored component is not updating.  Only history designs are associative.

Regarding mirror component and joints - the answer is that Fusion uses a right-handed coordinate system Right-hand rule , and only works with a right-handed system.  However, a mirror operation would result in a joint with a left-handed coordinate system, and Fusion can't handle that.  It is a common request, but we don't really have any plans to change that in the near future...

[SEIZMICdesign]

I'm not exactly sure what you're saying here - the lingo is a little over my pay grade 😜 

Is that related to SolidWorks' (& I'm guessing Inventor as well) ability to mirror things into different orientations? 

[smallfavor]

THANKS!  Those two items of instruction where helpful.  Especially regarding the assembly functioning with a mirrored component.  I'm quite certain I'll find a way inadvertantly of making what sounds simple in to a complicated mess.

What can I say.... it's a gift.