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Symmetric Mate

Makes two entities mirror images of each other across a plane.

What you get: the two entities held as mirror images of each other across the plane, and one mate named Symmetric1 in the Mates folder of the Model tree.

When to Use It

  • Keep two arms the same distance from a center plane
  • Hold two holes mirrored about a plane
  • Keep a pair of parts symmetric while one is moved

Step by Step

  1. Open an assembly (assemblies need the Pro plan) with at least two components in it. See Assemblies: Start and Insert Parts.
  2. Click Mate on the Assembly tab (or right-click a component and choose Assembly tools, Mate...), then click the Advanced tab at the top of the window.
  3. Click the symmetry plane first. It can be a flat face, or the Front Plane, Top Plane or Right Plane row in the Model tree. It shows as Symmetry plane.
  4. Click one entity on one component, then the matching entity on a different component. Each shows as Entity. The two must be the same kind, for example two flat faces or two corners.
  5. Click Symmetric. It is lit when the picks fit.
  6. Click the green check to add the mate. The message reads "Symmetric1 added."
The Advanced tab of the Mate window with Symmetry plane: Right Plane@Assembly and two Entity picks, a face of the cube and a face of the plate, Symmetric pressed and the green check, boxed in orange.
The Advanced tab of the Mate window with Symmetry plane: Right Plane@Assembly and two Entity picks, a face of the cube and a face of the plate, Symmetric pressed and the green check, boxed in orange.

Options

  • Symmetric has no value or alignment choice.
  • Use for positioning only and Make first selection transparent work as on the Standard tab.

Tips and What to Expect

  • The two entities must be on different components.
  • The mate keeps the two entities mirrored. The parts can still slide along the plane, so add other mates to finish positioning.

Common Mistakes and Messages

  • Symmetric stays grey. The two entities are not the same kind (a face and a corner), or the plane was not picked first. Remove the picks and start with the plane.
  • Every button is grey. The picks do not fit any mate on this tab. The status line says what is missing, for example "Pick more entities." Remove a pick (click it again or press Delete in Mate Selections) and try again.
  • "Collapse the exploded view to add mates." Mates cannot be added while the assembly is exploded.
  • The Over defined prompt appears. The new mate conflicts with the ones already there. See Mates: Fixing Mate Problems.

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