4 Ways to Reflect Objects in Adobe Illustrator Reflect Tool + Live Mirror

[@CaryHawkins]

Live Mirror vs. Reflect Tool: Which one do you prefer?

[@itonArtsPH]

Reflect tool for me.

[@alhaddicommunication]

I like No 3 is simple and for more complex No 4

[@cw4608]

“Sloppiness is just kind of rewarded” this statement tickled me to no end. Thanks for the informative videos!

[@ezxavax]

Hey how I could merge them, so i could paint it? , like combine live mirror to 1 big object

[@Ares_2310]

object > expand aspect (idk if mine setting are well traslated, mine AI is Italian)

[@edmardisla8492]

Sorry to bother on a year old video, but when I click OK to mirror after selecting one copy it doesn't make the other copy, making the first one I made not visible. Any help? Thanks.

[@Onnya-Lemox]

I imagine you figured it out by now but I'll leave the answer in case others need it. To prevent that, you need to add at least 1 in the copy slot of the transform popup.

[@edmardisla8492]

@@Onnya-Lemox Based, thanks a lot.

[@tenderw1lderness]

Thank you so much, I was running around in circles before this video 😭 (You have a lovely voice by the way!)

[@CaryHawkins]

Daw, thanks!

[@VenomBroly]

Hi, could you say me plz how to turn those mirrored line into a full object, with its own path ?

[@CaryHawkins]

Expand everything and combine using the pathfinder tools.

[@milano1858]

I am work on text mirror effect mass up ! how can i fix it? 😢

[@juliemusicar]

first tutorial that helped thanks

[@carldallaire1905]

Very useful video! But now how do we expand this or convert it in a way that the reflected elements become actual vector too? It won't work with Object > Expand (it only expands the original element, not the three reflected ones) and Expand Appearance is greyed out.

[@CaryHawkins]

I usually don't use this method to do that. I will simply draw half of the object, copy it, flip it horizontally, and align those halves with 0 spacing.

[@carldallaire1905]

Ok, I finally figured it out (actually right after writing my initial question here), so I'll answer my own question for the sake of helping out if others are also stuck with this issue. It's pretty simple, make sure you select the whole layer (which contains the reflection x and y lines) and not just the path or whatever is being reflected. In other words, you have to see the "Transform" effect in the Appearance tab. Expand Appearance becomes available and problem solved!

[@CaryHawkins]

Great! Thanks for adding that detail.

[@carldallaire1905]

@@CaryHawkins Oh yeah, that could work too. But I'm currently working on a logo that will have 4 of the same element, rotated 90 degrees apart. And I'm not using a clipping mask because I actually want some details to overlap the axes. So the horizontal flip method wouldn't work in my particular case (I think, maybe I'm getting what you're suggesting wrong)

[@CaryHawkins]

You could try transform tool and use a 90 degree copy setting with 3 copies. You'd have to play with the spacing, which can be tedious.

[@edmardisla8492]

Found the problem! Apparently didn't have Smart guides on. Thanks so much.

[@journey31407]

I'm a little confuse about your circle in step 3 it was dissolving in the middle while mine wasn't. Does it matter? or not?

[@yaelnir1258]

Wonderful tutorial

[@melissabarrera7041]

I like that you cut to the chase when explaining. Tahank you so much

[@CaryHawkins]

Glad my style works for you, thanks!

[@amylouisearts]

🙂Thank you ! This was super helpful.

[@katemoon7476]

How do you reflect around an arbitrary line? Like a mirror, but not just a vehicle or horizontal line?

[@CaryHawkins]

Use the Reflect Object Tool. First, make a line segment that represents the mirror edge, so to speak, (the line represents where the mirror would be facing if your line segment was a mirror). Then select your object you want to reflect, making a duplicate of it if you want to keep the original. Select the Reflect Object Tool and click on two points on the line segment you made. That will automatically move the object to the other side of the line segment. I'll make a quick follow-up video in case my explanation isn't helpful.

[@CaryHawkins]

Here's a quick follow-up tutorial where I discuss how to reflect on a diagonal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/navClWd6iZuAY6s

[@PolDee187]

What are you pressing while hovering at 0:54 min ? for me the anchor in purple is not showing up. Am I missing some kind of setting or so? Edit: Nvm .. Works different in the latest CC version. I have to hold the blue mirror point and it auto snaps onto the anchors.. and i accidently pressed ctrl-U :D ..

[@UndeadMark]

been trying to do the "distribute spacing" as shown and it just doesnt do anything. cant figure out what im doing wrong.

[@UndeadMark]

figured it out. must select "align to key object" in the "Align to:" section.

[@CaryHawkins]

Yay, glad you figured it out!

[@UndeadMark]

@@CaryHawkins love it when you discover a tangential feature in a tutorial and think "I can use this for so many other things!". I haven't used Illustrator for many years and am doing a lot of relearning. thanks for the video!

[@CaryHawkins]

That's great to hear!

[@AnimeNeedSeason2]

they are very useful in different ways

[@ashuribear3435]

If i use the reflect tool it won’t make a complete vector image that’s transferable to other projects. Would be nice to explain how to flatten it once you’re done drawing symmetrically

[@CaryHawkins]

You'll have to expand everything (object > expand) then use pathfinder options to weld it all together.

[@wiseacolyte9834]

I enjoyed the 3rd and 4th option 🤗

[@sleepisbutadream]

Gotten to the point of dragging the rectangle out (live mirror) but I don’t understand where all the extra red layers have come from? Followed everything to a tee up to that point but it a little confused on what I’ve missed there? Seems like the circles were on different layers somehow. Bit stumped on what’s gone wrong! 😩🙆🏻‍♂️ any tips on what I may be missing? Thanks! Great tutorial minus whatever I’ve not done correctly

[@sleepisbutadream]

Ha! Ignore this, stupid me didn’t notice the sublayers! Hard to see the mouse click on my phone 😂

[@franciscoferraz6788]

I'm not getting the option to make the clipping mask... could someone tell me what's wrong? I tried with right click as well but didn't work. My rectangle is on top, but Illustrator says I need to have more than one object selected.

[@CaryHawkins]

Open a new file. Create two squares. Select both with black selection cursor. If it still won't work, I don't know what to tell you.

[@franciscoferraz6788]

@@CaryHawkins That worked! Thank you. Seems to be a bug then. I'll keep the trick in mind.

[@CaryHawkins]

I don't think it's a bug. I just think you did something additional that got you inside a compound path, clipping mask, or something similar.

[@franciscoferraz6788]

@@CaryHawkins I see. I'm still a total rookie at this and don't really know what I'm doing a lot of the time in Illustrator so it's likely 🤣

[@CaryHawkins]

Keep at it. You'll get there if you stick with it. I'm still learning at almost 20 years of experience.

[@johndoe-fr2wd]

Whenever I use transform and reflect to X axis it reflects at the same position and not respective to the center line. Also I have to transform every new for object. Can anybody help me here?

[@VTS-lelovsky.]

I know it's late response, but for anybody struggling with this: select the whole layer with the circle button, then do the transform > reflect X Otherwise it just applies the effect for each object separately, I suppose.

[@notsoaveragegamer5725]

How are you able to see both shapes move in real time? I can only move one and the other one does not change until i've moved the other.

[@CaryHawkins]

All I can say is you did something wrong. Try again and go through it slowly.

[@walidatabassum9029]

same to me

[@YiinHikari]

the clipping mask is not working for me, I can't seem to find what I am doing differently... I got ok to the point with the live mirror (tho mine doesn't move in live-speed but when I drop the object, but still it works like a mirror just fine) but after that I created the black rectangle on top, selected the layer and clipping mask just like in the video, but is doesn't change anything, the image continue traspassing the other side... If someone see this and know what could I be doing wrong I would really appreciate your input, thank you author for the awesome video ♥

[@YiinHikari]

sorry i wasn't starting the rectangle at the center but at the left corner, my bad, I solved it! now it works perfectly fine!!

[@xanman6334]

do you know how to reflect a half sided logo once its already done?

[@CaryHawkins]

Make a copy and reflect the new copy. You can use the reflect tool or right-click and choose the reflect option there.

[@jamjars5444]

When I try to use live mirror, the copy doesn't go to the other side of the vertical line, it copies right on top of my shape unless I click left on the little square of boxes just above "Preview" checkbox and even then it reflects at the left-most edge of my shape, not symmetrising from the vertical line in the middle. Finally it also doesn't move symmetrically - it moves in the same direction as the original shape as if they were just one object. Really stuck on this and have scoured the internet for answers and can't get any. Please help if you can.

[@CaryHawkins]

Not sure. Best I can suggest is to go slowly through the tutorial and see if you are doing something differently.

[@jamjars5444]

@@CaryHawkins Went through it like 5 times, definitely doing the same so think it's bugged. Thanks for the reply anyway man

[@jamjars5444]

@Hehe Haha I think for me it turned out to be that I wasn't selecting everything on the artboard by either selecting the circle in the layers panel, or pressing CTRL+A to select everything before starting to draw the shapes you want to be mirrored...it worked for me last time I tried it man, try that and I hope it works.

[@jamjars5444]

@Hehe Haha Can I actually just add to this man and tell you something else I found out: If you create a shape (anything, then select it and go to Object > Repeat > Mirror, it will create a duplicate of your shape/line/whatever and you can adjust the centre line moving the little dots. It's not centered to the artboard but once you're done you can just align everything outside of that mode with the align tools. Another great thing about this method is that is set to clip automatically - meaning that you won't be able to draw over the centre line. I'm sure there are some cons to using this method but it definitely does everything I need it to :)

[@margretthatcher2549]

This is brilliant! Is there a way to do this where the motif copies to the other side of the page without reflecting? For example, I have a drawing of a rose where one of the petals one the right side of the flower is longer than the rest. I want that long petal to be on the right side of the flower when it is reflected on the other side of the page. So basically duplicating it rather than reflecting it? i wish I could show you a picture, that would be easier than trying to explain it haha

[@CaryHawkins]

This is only for mirroring. If you want to copy, you can either make a pattern and replicate that or duplicate the entire object, and use cntl+D to make as many copies as you want, but I would make a pattern if you are making lots of copies.

[@thariqlatheef8235]

Very good tutorial. Thank you very much sir.

[@NoahStillAsleep]

it did absolutely nothing but i can't be mad because this video is 3 years old

[@andrejstefa]

It still works, check if you specifically made "layer 1" and "layer 2" like he did, it didn't work for me until I made those changes.

[@NoahStillAsleep]

@@andrejstefa i got it to work but it is so trash because i have a line in the middle and i try to draw a symmetrical face but once i try to draw the eyes it doesn’t draw it on the other side but directly next to it, adobe made a industry level software that doesn’t even have this simple feature

[@andrejstefa]

@@NoahStillAsleep I still don't know much about this software but you might fix the problem when you go into "Transform Effect" and check all boxes in lower left side, those aren't turned on by default

[@NoahStillAsleep]

@@andrejstefa i tried everything i could find but it just doesn’t work, i started using illustrator about 3 weeks ago coming from photoshop this is the most unnecessarily complex software i have used and i really don’t know why

[@andrejstefa]

@@NoahStillAsleep Well... I've pointed out main possible causes, atleast you now know tutorial still works...

[@monakkamia4206]

Very nice

[@keshawn7485]

How to merge on using live mirror ?

[@CaryHawkins]

Expand appearance and/or strokes if necessary, then use pathfinder options.

[@hurmazahidarts]

Thank u thank uu soo muchh i was very confused and very found. But u r .... Means amazing❤❤ now i subscribe you

[@oliveralbergo6443]

to me the trasnform effect doesn;t work on the shape :(

[@notsoaveragegamer5725]

took a couple of tries but i got it

[@CaryHawkins]

Yay!

[@amandapuckett1450]

so what do you do if it doesn't reflect

[@CaryHawkins]

Watch the video 10 times and click every ad. Honestly, I'm not sure other than try the tutorial again. It is an older one, so there may be an update that has rendered my instructions less usable. I haven't checked.

[@nadabweir1973]

THANKS

[@emiwebber]

I'm pretending this is Bill Heder giving me Illustrator tips.

[@CaryHawkins]

Ha, whatever works for you.

[@emiwebber]

@@CaryHawkins next time Bob's Burgers can't book him in to record Mickey's voice, you can do it! - I understand that's a very specific thing to say if you don't watch Bob's Burgers.

[@CaryHawkins]

I love it! I actually do some VO work from time to time.

[@kavindu_uk]

Can you send this template?

[@rbdesignguy]

You didn't tell us how to convert a live mirror into a shape

[@Ahlem_DMC]

Adobe is dumb why do they complicate a basic tool.

[@kaitlynreeves2284]

I'm trying to draw eyes, sorry but I'm so confused 😅

[@cykkm]

**Badly presented tutorial, avoid.** Part 1, 1:40. "If I want a different spot way out _here,_ I come way out _here_ ..." (Emphasis is mine -Cy). Where's the "here"? No clicks are highlighted, the star suddenly started rotating about a point somewhere 4-6 sizes of the original star to the left of it, but how that point has been set, I got no idea. That's only part 1, and my review doesn't apply beyond part 1, as I'm not proceeding with the rest: my expectations are low. All these "here" and "there" without highlighting of the clicks made by the demonstrator make sense to them, but not to me. I've got no idea what they mean by "here" and "there". On the positive note, I prefer fast-paced tutorials, but these must me especially clear w.r.t. gestures performed to be possible to understand.

[@darkmatter8650]

I HAVE DRAWN A SCENERY WITH ILLUSTRATOR..WANT TO THE TREE A MOON AND THE STARS REFLECTION ON THE RIVER ..WHAT TO DO ? REPLY ASAP.

[@CaryHawkins]

Watch my latest tutorial.

[@RaveloTV]

He's putting up tutorials on line for free. He doesn't need to reply to you at all, much less on your timeline. Show some appreciation.

[@sorga6031]

this dossent wokr at all

[@CaryHawkins]

I filmed myself doing it. Try again?

[@robo1540]

why is the live mirror thing not a single button click????? why is there not just a symmetry tool???? i thought i was missing something but no this is apparently just how it is, i dont wanna be a graphic design major anymore i want to kill myself

[@CaryHawkins]

There's always a chance they add one in the future. I've seen plenty of add-ons over the years.

[@jitendrakumarpathak2867]

You have concept to explain, but the way you talk you have no clear explanation , you need to talk so other can understand, Need to improve