How to Make a Reflection With Illustrator CS5

Create mirrored images in Adobe Illustrator.

Reflecting an object is an essential skill for creating vector artwork. You can use reflections to create objects with mirrored features such as butterflies, or you may want to create the appearance of a reflection in a lake or mirror. Adobe Illustrator contains two features for reflecting objects. The reflect tool allows you to specify an axis to which the object will reflect. The Transform panel contains two options to reflect the object based off a reference point.

Instructions

Reflect Tool

1. Select the objects that you want to reflect.

2. Click on the "Rotate" tool until the sub-tools appear. Select the "Reflect" tool.

3. Click once where you want the reflection axis line to start.

4. Hold down the “Alt” key during the next step to create a copy of the original artwork.

5. Click again to create an axis line from the starting point. The objects will reflect about the invisible line created by the original point and this new point.

Transform Panel

1. Select the objects that you want to reflect.

2. Press “Control” and “C” to copy the objects. Then, press “Control” and “F” to create a copy of the original object directly in front of the original.

3. Click on the “Window” menu and select “Transform” to open the Transform panel.

4. Click on the desired reference point in the Transform panel. For example if you want the reflection to appear above the original click on one of the top reference points; If you want the reflection to appear to the side of the reflection, select the desired side reference point.

5. Click on the Transform panel flyout menu. Select “Flip Horizontal” or “Flip Vertical” to create the desired reflection.

References

• Adobe Illustrator CS5: Reflect or Flip Objects
• Layers Magazine; Creating Reflecting Web Icons in Illustrator; Chad Neuman; July 2007