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I'm trying to simply mirror an object (maybe for the first time)

So I want to use the mirror command CtrlM for it.

When use it, blender asks to select the axis I want to use for the mirror operation, then I type X, Y or Z, the axis is selected, I press enter or click anywhere, and nothing happens, the object just sits there the same way.

after I type <code>ctr+m</code>Blender asks to select a mirror axis

one of the axis is slected, then I press enter but nothing happens

What could it be the problem? I can't find info about this problem. Thanks for your help!

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  • $\begingroup$ Could you upload some screenshots or a .blend? $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:01
  • $\begingroup$ OK, i edited the question, now it has screenshots. should i mention i'm using mac? $\endgroup$
    – invicente
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:17
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    $\begingroup$ I think it's working, but as your object is symmetrical on all three axes it will look the same. Try it on a Suzanne. $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:18
  • $\begingroup$ But how does it need to be done to face in a different way?...and what's a Suzanne? $\endgroup$
    – invicente
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:23
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    $\begingroup$ @invicente It actually mirrors in global by default. $\endgroup$
    – iKlsR
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:44

2 Answers 2

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When using Interactive mirror as with the mirror modifier, you need to mirror about a point else pertaining to the former, the object will just mirror/flip in place and if the object is symmetrical you won't see any changes. This point can be the object origin, another object or the 3d cursor depending on which mode you are using.

You can either change the object's origin or simply switch the pivot point to use the 3d cursor and then mirror.

It is also worth noting that mirroring basically just scales the object on the desired axis by -1 (so without applied rotation you might not get expected results). So as a cheap and quick alternative to CtrlM, you could just select the object and use SX -1.

Mirroring in place or right on the object origin or 3d cursor.

enter image description here

Mirroring about a point

enter image description here

enter image description here

What I did in the last example was to first translate the object over a bit on the X axis and then change the pivot mode to the 3d cursor as the mirror tool needs a point to work around. I then invoked interactive mirror and selected the axis I wanted to mirror on which in the example is the X axis. In the first one, I simply mirrored a single object and it flipped it to the opposite side, in the second, I duplicated the object and then mirrored so I had identical copies.

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  • $\begingroup$ Also as a side note, maybe add that mirroring actually just scales by -1 (so without applied rotation you might not get expected results)? $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 22:54
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    $\begingroup$ @gandalf3 another side note: Better use it in Object mode. Scale by negative value will flip normals when in Edit mode. $\endgroup$
    – Leon Cheung
    Commented May 22, 2014 at 0:18
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It only works in edit mode: As per the Blender documentation

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  • $\begingroup$ While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review $\endgroup$
    – batFINGER
    Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 18:06
  • $\begingroup$ @batFINGER: Thank you very much for guide line, I will do in future posts $\endgroup$
    – Blender For You
    Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 18:36
  • $\begingroup$ Nothing in the page linked corresponds to that. The first sentense states otherwise (and it's actually how it works), pointing out Object or Mesh selection (to have object selection one needs to be in Object mode, mesh - Edit mode). $\endgroup$
    – Mr Zak
    Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 18:48
  • $\begingroup$ @batFINGER what do you mean? I was mostly answering the statement in the answer, not sure what should be undone as the answer was reviewed correctly as I understand $\endgroup$
    – Mr Zak
    Commented Sep 29, 2017 at 19:28

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