Symmetry Options

Keyboard Shortcut! Ctrl/Cmd + 6


This command opens a window that allows you to choose which Symmetry options you want to be active. Symmetry affects garment points in two ways; Left/Right (L/R) and Front/Back (F/B). These may be turned on or off. For each of the above symmetries, there are two types of point movements, Mirrored and Give/Take. These will be discussed on page 6-32 of your manual.
 
Enabling Symmetry
Symmetry may be enabled/disabled in a few ways:

  • using the Enable Symmetry command (previously discussed).
  • using the Symmetry Options dialog.
  • using the Symmetry icon in the Info Bar.
  • If you enable (turn on) Symmetry with the Enable Symmetry command, then a check mark will appear in the Symmetry Options dialog. You may turn this on or off, at will, as you work.
  • The Symmetry icon/symbol is found in the Info Bar which appears in the lower left corner of the screen. This symbol communicates various things to you:
  • When the symbol is highlighted, Symmetry is on.
  • Single-clicking on the icon will toggle Symmetry on or off.
  • Double-clicking on the icon will open the Symmetry Options dialog box (also opened via the Options menu).
  • If the vertical and horizontal line are displayed, both Front/Back and Left/Right Symmetry are in effect.
  • If only the vertical bar is highlighted, only Front/Back Symmetry is on.
  • If only the horizontal bar is highlighted, only Left/Right Symmetry is on.
     
    On your garment, you can control where symmetry takes effect; Left/Right (L/R) and Front/Back (F/B). In addition, you can control the type of symmetry movement that occurs.
     


Left/Right Symmetry vs. Front/Back Symmetry
Left/Right (L/R) Symmetry will be active when a check appears in the box. This function allows changes made on the left side of the garment to occur on the right side as well (and vice versa).
To use the function:

  • Ensure that it is on (a check mark appears in the Symmetry Options window).
  • Click on a point on the left side of the garment. Note that the garment's corresponding right side point is selected as well, due to symmetry.
  • Drag the point on the left side of the garment and watch.
  • The corresponding right side moves with it. Magic!
     

Although you will want to use L/R Symmetry most of the time, there are occasions when you will need to turn it off. For example: you would not want the feature active if you were working with an asymmetrical top, in that you want the left side to be different than the right side. Remember that Symmetry is a toggle menu item. Selecting it the first time turns it on (there will be a check mark to the left of the menu item). Selecting it a second time turns it off and no check mark will exist. You may also use the keyboard shortcuts.
 
Front/Back (F/B) Symmetry is similar to Left/Right Symmetry. When Front/Back Symmetry is active, point movements made to the front will also occur on the corresponding back point. This is particularly helpful if you are moving side seams, widening a neckline, etc. Again, there are times you do not want the feature to be active (e.g. when you are lowering the front neckline). This menu item is a toggle menu, as Left/Right Symmetry.
 
Mirror vs. Give/Take Point Movements
There are two types of symmetry point movements within Garment Designer; Mirror and Give/Take.
Mirror Symmetry is the Symmetry mode you will use the most. In Mirror Symmetry, whatever action you perform occurs in a mirrored manner. Thus, whatever action you perform on the left occurs mirrors on the right (if Left/Right Symmetry is turned on), or whatever action you perform to the back mirrors on the front (if Front/Back Symmetry is on). Thus if you move the side seam out 1/2 inch on the left front, it will move out the same amount on the opposite side of the garment as well as on both sides of the back of the garment.
 
Give/Take Symmetry mode is a bit different. Essentially, what you give to one pattern piece is taken from the corresponding other piece.

There are two ways in which one can use Give/Take Symmetry:

  1. Creating Asymmetrical Styles - Using Left/Right Symmetry. If you move the center neckline point on the left front to the right (taking away from the piece), the right front extends the same amount (giving to that piece).
  2. Balancing Fullness at Seams -Using Front/Back Symmetry. If you move the front right side seam in towards the body, (taking away from the front), the same amount is added to the right back (giving to the back). This particular action is very handy for juggling the balance between seams. There are times when a person with a non-symmetrical body may want to alter the side seam slightly, in order to create a sleeve that looks a little more balanced (even though the side seam will not hang properly). The square armhole is an example.


Further discussion of Symmetry occurs in Chapter 3 (pages 7 - 9) and Chapter 7 (pages 15-18) of your manual.