Mirror Layer Tool

What it Does

Makes a mirror image of a layer, placed in a new layer. A layer is like a sheet of tracing paper that holds part of your drawing, and you can show, hide, move or turn a whole layer. The original layer stays as it is.

Use this when you have drafted one side of a pattern, such as a left sleeve, and want the matching other side. To mirror across a fold line and keep the result in the same layer, use the Unfold Layer Tool instead.

You choose a mirror axis, which is the line the layer is mirrored across. You mark it with two points. The mirror image appears on the other side of that line, as if the line were a mirror.

How to Use

1. Activate the tool by clicking the Mirror Layer icon
2. Select the layer to mirror from the list, then select Continue
3. Select the parent layer for the new mirror layer. The new layer is created inside the layer you select
4. Enter a name in the Name box, then select Continue
5. Choose how to name the copied items, then select Continue:
   • Enter text in Find and its replacement in Replace to swap part of each name. For example, Find "Front" and Replace "Back"
   • Leave Find empty and enter text in Replace to add it to the end of each name
   • Leave both empty to add the default ending, Copy
6. Select the two points that define the mirror axis, then select Continue
7. Enter the Offset distance, in the unit shown, or leave it at 0 for none, then select Continue
8. The mirrored layer now appears. Select Save to keep it, or Cancel to discard it

info

The offset moves the mirror image away from the axis line. You can type a number or a formula. See Entering Values.

warning

Your choice of axis points decides where the mirror image lands. If it is in the wrong place, select Cancel and start again with different points.

🧠Memorization

When you memorize a draft, the mirrored layer is remembered along with the axis points, the offset and the new names.