Live Symmetrical drawing?

[FauxtoGuy]

Is there still no symmetry tool in Illustrator, or have I just missed it?  I and others have requested this for years. Such basic necessity.

I see that using the Effects > Distort & Transform > Reflect creates a copy, that can be ADDED TO or altered in real time. But this seems to only work if the pen tool connects to the existing path. If I begin a NEW path, it is not automatically reflected -but I was informed that this should work. I suspect I'm missing something on this.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You can apply the effect to a layer and then it will work that way.

Symmetrical pattern with default Illustrator functions on Vimeo

[MarshyNav]

This doesn't show what settings or tool you're using.

[Monika Gause]

Most importantly: if you have version 2021.2, then symmetry is built-in.

If you have a lower version:

Draw a guide line in the exact center of your artboard.

Draw a rectangle exactly to the left of it, that covers half the artboard

Make this rectangle a clipping mask for the layer by using the "Make mask" button in the layers panel

Draw a rectangle that is exactly the size of your whole artboard and make it invisible (no fill, no stroke)

Target the layer and apply Effect > Distort & transform > Transform

Make 1 copy and flip x

Then you can draw on the left side of the layer and it will be mirrored.