# Selections and Symmetry

Symmetry is a wonderful function within Garment Designer that allows you to move a point on one side of the garment and have the corresponding point on the other side of the garment move also. Symmetry can be turned on or off and you can toggle back and forth between on and off as you work. You are able to use two types of Symmetry: Left/Right and Front/Back. Both of these are turned on by default, but you can choose to turn either or both modes off temporarily as you work, or you can choose to have symmetry turned ‘off’ as your default.

## So, how does it work?

Garment Designer's Symmetry function will become your best friend. It will save time and energy in the process of altering styles and it will ensure all corresponding seams/lines in a garment move to match the initial change. However, caution should be used when using Symmetry. You need to be aware of whether it is on or off. Below is a quick description of how the various forms of Symmetry will work if you click on the left shoulder/neck point and attempt to move it down the shoulder seam, towards the armhole.

Left/Right Symmetry On: Widening the left front neck will widen the right front neck as well.

Front/Back Symmetry On: Widening the left front neck will widen the left back neck as well.

Left/Right and Front/Back Symmetry On:

Widening the left front neck will widen the right front neck as well as the left and right back neck as well.

Left/Right and Front/Back Symmetry On

Turning on both modes of symmetry works best with symmetrical garments, moving side seams, moving shoulder/neckline points and underarm and armhole points.

Left/Right Symmetry Off

Turn left/right symmetry off when you want to create an asymmetrical garment, that is, a garment with a different left versus right side.

Front/Back Symmetry Off

Use this mode when you want to adjust the front neckline (at center front) but not the back center neckline, or when you want to create an asymmetrical garment.

## A Quick Override to Symmetry

If you have symmetry turned on, yet you want to make a change that affects only one side of a garment (not both), you can do this by pressing the 's' key on the keyboard as you drag + select the point(s) or segment(s) you want to alter. This lets Garment Designer know that you want to change the selected point(s)/segment(s) only and not the symmetrical counterpart.

A good example would be the creation of an asymmetrical garment. If you want to lower the hem on the left front but not the right, you press the 's' key on the keyboard and drag + select the entire hem area of the left front (selecting both points and the line between). Then, when you move this line, symmetry is inactive.

Tip:

It's time to get to know the keyboard shortcuts for symmetry.

Left/right Symmetry

Ctrl + 5 Windows

Cmd + 5 Macintosh

Front/Back Symmetry

Ctrl + 6 Windows

Cmd + 6 Macintosh