Symmetry Tools

Jump to Mobile or Windows 10


The Symmetry tools are found in the Symmetry toolbar and are used either before or during sketching to show or hide the lines(s) of symmetry, allow strokes to either cross over or stop at the line(s) of symmetry, and even move or lock the line(s) of symmetry in place. When it comes to radial symmetry, there's a slider for setting the number of radial segments.

Symmetry toolbar in the Windows 10 version of Autodesk SketchBook

Extend/Stop strokes at center line Extend/Stop strokes at center line

Do you want the strokes to cross over the line(s) of symmetry or do you want to stop them from doing just that? Use this tool for this. When enabled, the stroke go beyond the line of symmetry. When disabled, the stroke stops at the line of symmetry.

To extend your strokes across the line of symmetry, if Extend/Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Stop strokes at center line.

Example of Extend strokes at center line

To stop your strokes from crossing the line of symmetry, if Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Extend/Stop strokes at center line .

Example of Stop strokes at center line

Lock/Unlock symmetry lines Lock/Unlock symmetry lines

Do you want to do a lot of detailed work around the center? When drawing anywhere near the axis points, lock the lines of symmetry, so you don’t accidentally select and move them. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are locked into place and cannot be moved. When disabled, they can be repositioned.

Show/Hide symmetry lines Show/Hide symmetry lines

Is having the lines of symmetry distracting as you draw? If so, hide them with this tool. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are visible. When disabled, they are not visible.

To hide the lines of symmetry, tap Hide symmetry lines to hide them. Tap Show/Hide symmetry lines to display them.

Example of using horizontal and vertical symmetrySymmetry tool with no symmetry lines

How to exit Symmetry

To exit the tool, tap the Symmetry icon in the main toolbar. When the icon is no long blue or outlined in blue, you have successfully exited the tool.

Toolbar with Symmetry active

Toolbar with Guides active, but not Symmetry

Toolbar with Symmetry active

Toolbar with Guides active, but not Symmetry

Using Symmetry tools in SketchBook Pro Desktop

Use the following tools to aid with drawing.

Increasing/decreasing the number of lines of symmetry

Once Radial symmetry Radial is chosen, to increase or decrease the number of lines of radial symmetry, use the slider or tap the field to the right of it and enter a numeric value.

Symmetry tools

At any time, while still in Radial symmetry Radial, you can increase or decrease the number of lines of radial symmetry by dragging the slider up or down.

Moving the lines of symmetry

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to reposition the line of symmetry and move it, tap-drag move the lines of symmetry icon. Double-tap it to reset it to the center of the canvas.

Rotating the axis of symmetry

Are you planning to draw something, but the symmetrical sections aren’t oriented as you’d like? Use the Rotate axis icon in the Win 10 version of Autodesk SketchBook manipulator to rotate the axis to your liking.

Once Radial symmetry Radial is chosen, tap-drag the Rotate axis icon in the Win 10 version of Autodesk SketchBook manipulator and drag it to rotate the axis. Double-tap it to reset the lines of symmetry to their original position.

Extending strokes beyond the line of symmetry

Do you want the strokes to cross over the line(s) of symmetry or do you want to stop them from doing just that?

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to extend your strokes across the line of symmetry, if Extend/Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Stop strokes at center line.

To stop your strokes from crossing the line of symmetry, if Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Extend/Stop strokes at center line .

Locking and unlocking the lines of symmetry (Pro)

Note:

Not available to Free users

Do you want to do a lot of detailed work around the center? When drawing anywhere near the axis points, lock the lines of symmetry, so you don’t accidentally select and move them. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are locked into place and cannot be moved. When disabled, they can be repositioned.

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to unlock the lines of symmetry, tap unlock the lines of symmetry, then click-drag move the lines of symmetry icon to reposition them. Tap lock the lines of symmetry again to lock the lines in place.

Hiding the lines of symmetry

Is having the lines of symmetry distracting as you draw? If so, hide them with this tool. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are visible. When disabled, they are not visible.

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to hide the lines of symmetry, tap Hide symmetry lines to hide them. Tap Show/Hide symmetry lines to display them.

Example of using horizontal and vertical symmetrySymmetry tool with no symmetry lines

To hide the lines of symmetry, tap hide the lines of symmetry to hide them. Tap unhide the lines of symmetry to display them.

Using Symmetry tools in SketchBook Pro Mobile

There are an assortment of tools in the Symmetry toolbar and in the canvas to help as you drawing with symmetry.

Increasing/decreasing the number of lines of symmetry on Mobile

Once Radial symmetry Radial is chosen, use the slider or tap on the field to the right of it and enter a numeric value.

Secondary toolbar in SketchBook Pro Mobile on a tablet

To increase or decrease the number of lines of radial symmetry, drag the slider up or down.

Moving the lines of symmetry on Mobile

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to reposition the line of symmetry and move it, tap-drag move the lines of symmetry icon. Double-tap it to reset it to the center of the canvas.

Rotating the axis of symmetry on Mobile

Are you planning to draw something, but the symmetrical sections aren’t oriented as you’d like? Use the Rotate axis icon in the Win 10 version of Autodesk SketchBook manipulator to rotate the axis to your liking.

Once Radial symmetry Radial is chosen, tap-drag the Rotate axis icon in the Win 10 version of Autodesk SketchBook manipulator and drag it to rotate the axis. Double-tap it to reset the lines of symmetry to their original position.

Extending strokes beyond the line of symmetry on Mobile

Do you want the strokes to cross over the line(s) of symmetry or do you want to stop them from doing just that?

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to extend your strokes across the line of symmetry, if Extend/Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Stop strokes at center line.

To stop your strokes from crossing the line of symmetry, if Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Extend/Stop strokes at center line .

Locking and unlocking the lines of symmetry

Do you want to do a lot of detailed work around the center? When drawing anywhere near the axis points, lock the lines of symmetry, so you don’t accidentally select and move them. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are locked into place and cannot be moved. When disabled, they can be repositioned.

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to unlock the lines of symmetry, tap unlock the lines of symmetry, then click-drag move the lines of symmetry icon to reposition them. Tap lock the lines of symmetry again to lock the lines in place.

Hiding the lines of symmetry onm Mobile

Is having the lines of symmetry distracting as you draw? If so, hide them with this tool. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are visible. When disabled, they are not visible.

Once a type of symmetry is chosen, to hide the lines of symmetry, tap Hide symmetry lines to hide them. Tap Show/Hide symmetry lines to display them.

Example of using horizontal and vertical symmetrySymmetry tool with no symmetry lines

To hide the lines of symmetry, tap hide the lines of symmetry to hide them. Tap unhide the lines of symmetry to display them.

Using Symmetry tools in SketchBook Pro Windows 10

Either before or during sketching, you may want to show or hide the lines of symmetry or allow strokes to either cross over or stop at it. Use either of the following tools:

Extend/Stop strokes at center line Extend/Stop strokes at center line

Do you want the strokes to cross over the line(s) of symmetry or do you want to stop them from doing just that? Use this tool for this. When enabled, the stroke go beyond the line of symmetry. When disabled, the stroke stops at the line of symmetry.

To extend your strokes across the line of symmetry, if Extend/Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Stop strokes at center line.

To stop your strokes from crossing the line of symmetry, if Stop strokes at center line is not visible, tap Extend/Stop strokes at center line .

Lock/Unlock symmetry lines Lock/Unlock symmetry lines

Do you want to do a lot of detailed work around the center? When drawing anywhere near the axis points, lock the lines of symmetry, so you don’t accidentally select and move them. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are locked into place and cannot be moved. When disabled, they can be repositioned.

Show/Hide symmetry lines Show/Hide symmetry lines

Is having the lines of symmetry distracting as you draw? If so, hide them with this tool. When enabled, the lines of symmetry are visible. When disabled, they are not visible.

To hide the lines of symmetry, tap Hide symmetry lines to hide them. Tap Show/Hide symmetry lines to display them.

Example of using horizontal and vertical symmetrySymmetry tool with no symmetry lines

To exit the tool, tap the Symmetry icon in the main toolbar. When the icon is no long blue or outlined in blue, you have successfully exited the tool.

Toolbar with Symmetry active

Toolbar with Guides active, but not Symmetry

Toolbar with Symmetry active

Toolbar with Guides active, but not Symmetry