[NobleMatt]

Hey guys, i know this isnt the most advanced graphic design forum in the world, but im not a member atm with anyothers and i thought some of u might know the answer to my one bug bare with illustrator.

is there a way to set up a reflection/ mirroring line/mode in illustrator where everthing you draw to the left of a line/guide is automatically repeated on the right of the line/guide in the matching location, it would just be a really nice feature to have. any ideas/solutions?

Matt

[Thorzdad]

No, there isn't any function that does that live, as you draw. There is a Reflect tool, though, that will do the mirroring of your selection (after drawing, of course)

[NobleMatt]

yer thats the way i do things atm, thats really annoying, someone should make a plugin, such a simple feature, you would think it would take the guys at adobe 2 mins to add it

[Thorzdad]

I can't imagine it's much of a need, really. I frankly can't think of an instance where I would need to have items mirrored live, as I draw them. It's just easier to draw something, get it the way I want it, and then use the Reflect tool.

Live mirroring would, I think, effectively double the buffering involved. I could see where that would slow things down substantially.
Also, remember, if you enable live mirroring, you would also have to include live erasure.

[NobleMatt]

well personally i draw a lot of objects that are symmetrical with the pen tool, and sometimes its easier just to draw one side because its symmetrical, at the end of the day whats the buffering time for a vector, nothing. to me it would have just been a nice basic feature, for when im drawing crest pieces,

[bluedog]

Here's a possible solution that may work. I put together a screen capture to demonstrate.

http://www.vimeo.com/2564210

[NobleMatt]

fantastic, i stumbled across that way of creating reflections but didnt realise it was live, thanks for taking the time out to create the video

[KeriVit]

Thanks for the tip bluedog.

[bluedog]

No problem. I've used the reflect and other distortions but didn't realize the impact of them becoming effects until just list past year. I think effect/filters have been available since CS2 and it might have been in CS but I don't remember. They are so useful because you can edit the attributes of the effect and see the results immediately after making the change (without having to rebuild or copy multiple objects).

[JasonAlexander]

CMD + T. try that a few times. Than mirror whats needed.