5
$\begingroup$

I can't figure out how to flip a Mirror Modifier along the Y axis, after it is mirrored.

Would love some advice on how to achieve this, per the below images:

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ May I ask why you need the mirror modifier for this and why you can't just model that? The second image seems slightly modified and I can't achieve that same result using a mirror modifier. If you could put it into a little more context in regards to what you're trying to achieve and why you need a mirror modifier to do it then I can better understand and help more. Thanks. $\endgroup$ – The Jovial Brit Mar 2 at 8:51
  • $\begingroup$ I'm trying to just freestyle model a new product for my company, and I have an idea of the object being symmetrical horizontally, yet flipped vertically across the horizontal mirror, if that makes sense. In order to help me design this thing, it would be helpful if the mirror/flip was happening automatically while I'm modeling it. Hope this makes sense! $\endgroup$ – glen_candle Mar 2 at 18:39
4
$\begingroup$

Simply use the Array modifier instead.

  1. Add an empty and flip it in X and Y axis
  2. Add Array modifier > Object Offset and target the empty
  3. Done

You can flip the empty either by scaling to -1 or through Object > Mirror enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
6
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ .. beat me by 9 minutes ... :D $\endgroup$ – Robin Betts Mar 2 at 9:48
  • $\begingroup$ I probably learned this trick from you anyways :) $\endgroup$ – Jachym Michal Mar 2 at 9:50
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Yours is different, and it's a really nice distinction. The reflections in the Mirror modifier are cumulative. In the Array modifier they are simultaneous. $\endgroup$ – Robin Betts Mar 2 at 9:53
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ This is exactly what I wanted, thank you for that ;) $\endgroup$ – glen_candle Mar 2 at 18:47
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @glen Glad it works for you, good luck with your project :) $\endgroup$ – Jachym Michal Mar 2 at 18:53
3
$\begingroup$

Mirror modifier mirrors the object's geometry in it's local space, so if you select X axis and the geometry is towards the +X direction from the origin of the object it will be mirrored to the -X direction, if the geometry is towards the -X direction from the origin, it will get mirrored to the +X direction. You can change the origin point using transform tools if you have Affect Only Origins enabled in the Active Tool and Workspace settings tab in the Properties Editor:

enter image description here

By manipulating location and rotation of the origin(so object's local space) you can control the mirror modifier. You could also use Mirror Object and in that case the modifier will use the object space of that object:

enter image description here

In your specific case, it seems that you do not want to mirror the object so mirror modifier is not suitable. You could duplicate linked (shift+d) and have another object with the same geometry data and just rotate it the way you want, or you could use the new GeometryNodes modifier and rotate a copy of the geometry:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Cool :). Looking forward to experimenting with geometry nodes. $\endgroup$ – Jachym Michal Mar 2 at 9:47
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks man, I appreciate the perspective on this. Geometry nodes sounds very interesting indeed, can't wait to start learning it. $\endgroup$ – glen_candle Mar 2 at 18:49

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.