STEP BY STEP GET STARTED WITH SYMMETRY IN CINEMA 4D

01 SWITCH ON THE SYMMETRY SYSTEM

Symmetry in Cinema 4D is activated from various places within the user interface. The simplest way to do it is via the Symmetry button in the top toolbar, which looks a little like a butterfly. The settings for Symmetry are available through the Symmetry Hub button with a cog to the right of the Symmetry button.

02 VIEW YOUR PLANE

At first, the Symmetry plane may not appear. This could be for a few reasons, such as not using a polygonal object, though more likely the Symmetry tool has been switched on in Object mode. Switching to Polygon, Edge or Vertex modes should allow the Symmetry plane to be visible with the object selected. If it’s still not visible, check the Symmetry settings are set to Type>planar.

03 WORK ON ELEMENTS

Now that Symmetry is visible, elements can be selected. As long as the model has even topology along the Symmetry plane, the corresponding features on the opposite side of the object should be selected and act in a mirror fashion to those on the initial side chosen. The plane can be orientated via the Symmetry Hub settings, allowing quick switching of symmetry orientation.

04 TOPOLOGICAL SYMMETRY

To access topological symmetry, first select a topological loop in the model and activate Loop Selection in either Edge or Polygon mode (in most cases, Edge will work best). Loop Selection is available in the left-hand toolbar or via the hot keys U+L. Select a centre loop in the topology and press the Define Selection button in the Selection hub.