Mirroring a window in Archicad is a straightforward process that allows you to reverse its orientation, effectively changing its opening direction or external/internal facing. This is particularly useful for creating symmetrical designs or correcting the placement of existing windows.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mirroring a Window
To accurately mirror a window (or any other opening like a door) in Archicad, follow these simple steps:
- Select the Window: Begin by selecting the specific window element you wish to mirror. You can do this by clicking on it directly in your 2D Floor Plan or 3D window.
- Activate the Mirror Command: Once the window is selected, you have several ways to activate the Mirror command:
- From the Edit Menu: Navigate to
Edit > Move > Mirror. - Using the Pet Palette: With the window selected, a Pet Palette will appear near the element. Click on the Mirror icon (often depicted as two triangles mirroring each other).
- Keyboard Shortcut: The quickest method is to use the keyboard shortcut
Ctrl + M(Windows) orCmd + M(Mac).
- From the Edit Menu: Navigate to
- Define the Mirror Axis: After activating the command, a pencil cursor will appear. Archicad requires you to define an axis around which the selected element will be mirrored. You can do this by:
- Clicking anywhere on an edge of the host wall.
- Clicking at any point outside the wall.
- Clicking two distinct points to draw a custom mirror axis. The first click sets the start point, and the second click sets the end point of the mirror axis.
Once the mirror axis is defined, the selected window will instantly flip its orientation across that axis.
Understanding the Mirror Axis
The mirror axis is crucial as it dictates the new position and orientation of your mirrored window.
- Mirroring along a Wall Edge: If you select an edge of the host wall as your mirror axis, the window will flip its internal/external orientation relative to that wall edge. For example, a window opening outwards will now open inwards, or its hardware side will reverse.
- Mirroring across Custom Points: Defining two points allows you to create a mirror axis at any angle, which is useful for complex symmetrical layouts or mirroring across an imaginary line.
Mirror vs. Mirror a Copy: A Quick Comparison
Archicad offers two distinct mirroring commands: Mirror and Mirror a Copy. Understanding the difference is vital for efficient workflow.
| Feature | Mirror (Ctrl+M) |
Mirror a Copy (Ctrl+Shift+M) |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Transforms the original element directly | Creates a mirrored duplicate |
| Original Element | Is modified in place | Remains unchanged in its original position |
| Result | One element, now mirrored | Original element + one new mirrored copy |
| Use Case | Correcting orientation of an existing element | Creating symmetrical pairs of elements |
Practical Applications and Tips
Mirroring windows is more than just flipping an object; it's a powerful tool for design and efficiency.
When to Mirror Your Windows
- Symmetrical Facades: Easily create perfectly symmetrical building elevations by mirroring windows across a central axis.
- Correcting Opening Directions: If you've placed a window and realized it needs to open to the opposite side (e.g., left-opening instead of right-opening), mirroring is the fastest way to correct this without deleting and re-placing.
- Reversing External/Internal Orientation: Sometimes, a window's default external trim or internal sill needs to be flipped. Mirroring can achieve this quickly.
- Duplicating for Repetitive Designs: Use Mirror a Copy to efficiently duplicate and mirror windows across a central point or line, saving time compared to placing each one individually.
Important Considerations
- Anchor Point: Be mindful of the selected window's anchor point, as this can influence how it behaves when mirrored, especially if you're not mirroring along the host wall.
- Associated Elements: Mirroring a window only affects the window object itself. If you have custom details, labels, or zones associated with the window, you might need to adjust them separately if you used "Mirror a Copy."
- Object Settings: For some windows, certain parameters within the object's settings (like opening side) can also be adjusted directly. However, mirroring provides a visual, real-time feedback on the graphical flip.
By mastering the Mirror command, you can enhance your Archicad workflow, ensuring precision and efficiency in your architectural designs. For more in-depth information on Archicad commands and features, you can always refer to the official Graphisoft Archicad documentation.
