Easiest, Fastest, or Best way to make an image symmetrical?

[mrjackson]

If I work on a complex image on the left side of my vertical guideline, but have junk on the right side, what is the most efficient way top split the two halves and reconnect everything?

The star image is just a simple example. 

I have Mirror Me, but it seems to want to flip and weld everthing on a layer, not just what I have selected. 

Related Question: When I have a guideline, as in the example, and try to slice across an image with the knife tool, it does not snap to the guideline as many of the other tools do. 

My solution so far has been to drag a large rectangle (which does snap to the guidelines) across the right side, then selecting all and use the shape builder tool to eliminate the junk on the right. That works, then I use the reflect tool to flip a copy over the guideline. Unite usually welds everthing back together. 

Thanks in advance. MJ

[Bobby Henderson]

I'm not sure what kind of end result you're trying to achieve by "reconnecting everything," but not welding the objects in the manner of the Mirror Me plugin from Astute Graphics. Illustrator has its own built-in "Repeat" effect with a few options, including Mirror Repeat.

If you're building the mirrored objects manually you'll either need to use Pathfinder options to cut away the unneeded artwork or you could contain one half the image inside a clipping mask and then flip a copy of it and snap the two halves together.

[mrjackson]

This is an example of what I am working on. I work on one side, then trim off unnecessary elements on the other, and flip and unite the two sides. The vector paths are for use on sign cutting software, CNC and laser cutters where there cannot be connecting lines down the the center. 

Mirror Me is a great little utility, but as I mentioned, from my experience, the program copies and flips everything on a layer an not just element that I have specifically selected to flip and unite.

I have "my way" of trimming and flipping, but am looking for a better alternative, if there is one.

MJ

[Bobby Henderson · Accepted solution]

Using the MirrorMe plugin there is an option in plugin's palette where apply symmetry axes can be applied to individual objects. The default setting is applying it to a layer. There is a check option for trimming and joining paths. Unchecking the option will let artwork bleed across the boundary.

For making artwork that is ready for vinyl cutters and routing tables at least some manual pathfinder work will be required. The Shape Builder tool can help with some of that once the symmetry stuff is expanded.

[mrjackson]

Bobby....yep! I think you answered my qustion. Mirror Me will do the job on selected elements of a design. I had mine set to the layer option and didn't know about the option for selections. Very nice!

Thanks, MJ