When editing a model with the transformation tools you often need to make changes symmetrically. For example, when modifying a character's head, if changes are made to the top of the left ear, you may also want the top of the right ear to also be affected. The Reflection setting lets you do this.

You can select a component(s) on one half of the model, and the Reflection setting will highlight the affected component(s) on the opposite half of the model with a white color. This is called the color feedback.

To move, rotate, or scale components on an object using the Reflection setting

1. In the scene view, select the components you want to move, rotate, or scale on one half of the surface mesh.
2. Select the appropriate transformation tool by doing one of the following:
   • Double-click the desired transformation tool icon on the Toolbar.
   • Select Modify > Transformation Tools > Move/Rotate/Scale Tool > .

   The tool settings for that transformation tool appear.

3. In the Tool Settings Editor, turn the Reflection setting on.

   The corresponding component(s) across the reflection axis is highlighted in white.

4. When you subsequently move, rotate, or scale the selected component(s), the corresponding highlighted component(s) are also transformed on the opposite side of the reflection axis.
5. With the other reflection settings you can specify:
   • whether the Center of reflection is at the origin or based on the bounding box of the object.
   • set the Tolerance for the reflection (that is, how closely the selected component and the component across the reflection axis have to mirror each other in order for mirroring movement to occur).
   • the Reflection axis which the reflection occurs across.
   NoteReflection settings stay consistent when switching between transformation tools. For example, if you turn on reflection when the Move Tool is active and then you select the Scale Tool, reflection will still remain on.

   The manipulator indicates the axis along which the reflection takes place:

   

   NoteThe position of the reflection plane on the manipulator doesn’t correspond to the actual origin of reflection (which may be outside of the current view); it’s just a visual indication of the reflection plane (x, y, or z).

Reflection works differently depending on whether Soft Selection is turned on or off.

When Soft Selection is turned off and you select a component, Maya attempts to find a component on the opposite side of the seam and include it in the current selection. You can use the Reflection Settings to reflect transformations on a model that is not perfectly symmetrical.

When Soft Selection is turned on and you transform geometry, Maya mimics the same modification on the opposite side of the seam regardless of whether or not a component exists there.