How to Mirror Sketch in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

To mirror a sketch in SolidWorks, use the Mirror Entities tool found in the Sketch tab. Select the sketch entities you want to mirror, then choose a centerline or edge as the mirror line to create a symmetrical copy.

Syntax

The Mirror Entities tool in SolidWorks follows this usage pattern:

• Mirror Entities: The command to mirror selected sketch elements.
• Select Entities: Choose the sketch lines, arcs, or points to mirror.
• Select Mirror Line: Choose a centerline or edge to mirror about.
• Confirm: Apply the mirror to create the symmetrical sketch.

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Mirror Entities -> Select Entities -> Select Mirror Line -> Confirm

Example

This example shows how to mirror a rectangle sketch about a centerline:

1. Create a rectangle sketch.
2. Draw a vertical centerline through the rectangle's midpoint.
3. Click Mirror Entities in the Sketch toolbar.
4. Select the rectangle's three sides (excluding the centerline).
5. Select the centerline as the mirror line.
6. Click OK to create the mirrored half.

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1. Draw rectangle
2. Draw centerline
3. Click Mirror Entities
4. Select rectangle sides
5. Select centerline
6. Confirm

Output

A mirrored copy of the selected rectangle sides appears symmetrically on the opposite side of the centerline.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when mirroring sketches include:

• Not selecting a proper mirror line (must be a centerline or existing edge).
• Including the mirror line itself in the entities to mirror, which causes errors.
• Trying to mirror 3D features instead of 2D sketch entities.
• Forgetting to exit the sketch before viewing the mirrored result.

Always ensure the mirror line is a construction line or edge and exclude it from the selection.

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Wrong: Select mirror line as entity to mirror
Right: Select only sketch entities, then select mirror line separately

Quick Reference

Step	Action
1	Open Sketch and draw entities to mirror
2	Draw or identify mirror line (centerline)
3	Click Mirror Entities tool
4	Select entities to mirror (exclude mirror line)
5	Select mirror line
6	Confirm to create mirrored sketch

Key Takeaways

Use the Mirror Entities tool in the Sketch tab to mirror sketch elements.

Always select a centerline or edge as the mirror line, excluding it from entities to mirror.

Mirror Entities works only on 2D sketch elements, not 3D features.

Draw a construction line as the mirror axis for best results.

Confirm and exit the sketch to see the mirrored geometry.