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Paint symmetrical patterns

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    1. Paint symmetrical patterns
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Paint your brush strokes in a perfectly symmetrical pattern. Symmetry mode lets you define an axis or axes and then choose from preset types, including circular, radial, spiral, and mandala.

Choose symmetry options while painting

Symmetrical pattern
Easily create intricate patterns with Symmetry modes

Photoshop lets you paint symmetrically while using the Paint Brush, Pencil, and Eraser tools. While using these tools, click the butterfly icon () in the Options bar. Choose from the several available types of symmetry - Vertical, Horizontal, Dual Axis, Diagonal, Wavy, Circle, Spiral, Parallel Lines, Radial, Mandala.     

Paint strokes are reflected live across the line of symmetry, allowing for easier sketching of faces, cars, animals, and more.

You can also set any path as a symmetry path. Right-click the path in the Paths panel and select Make Symmetry Path. To modify a symmetry path, select it and then choose  > Transform Symmetry.

Paint with Radial and Mandala symmetry

  1. Select the Paint Brush, Pencil, or Eraser tool.

    Note:

    Paint Symmetry doesn’t support Live Brush Tips (airbrush, bristle tips, erodible).

  2. In the Options bar, click the butterfly icon and choose Radial or Mandala symmetry from the menu.

  3. In the Radial Symmetry or Mandala Symmetry dialog, specify the desired Segment Count and click OK.

    • For Radial Symmetry, you can specify any Segment Count from 2 (minimum) through 12 (maximum).
    • For Mandala Symmetry, you can specify any Segment Count from 3 (minimum) through 10 (maximum).

  4. Photoshop now displays the default Symmetry Path over your document. Transform the path as necessary. Press the Enter key (Win) / Return key (Mac) to commit the transformation.  

    To modify the symmetry path later, select it and then choose  > Transform Symmetry.

  5. Paint on your document using the symmetry guide as reference.  

    Using Mandala Symmetry with the Paint Brush tool

    Mandala Symmetry

    When you paint with Mandala Symmetry, Photoshop first mirrors and then repeats a single brush stroke around the center point or radial axis. For example, setting the Segment Count for Mandala Symmetry to six results in a single brush stroke being mirrored and then repeated six times around the center point.   

    Using Radial Symmetry with the Paint Brush tool

    Radial Symmetry

    As you paint with Radial Symmetry, Photoshop repeats a single brush stroke around a center point or radial axis. For example, setting the Segment Count for Radial Symmetry to six results in a single brush stroke being repeated six times around the center point.   

Assign keyboard shortcuts to the symmetry options

You can assign keyboard shortcuts to the following options in the symmetry menu .

  • Toggle between Symmetry Off and Last Used Symmetry
  • Toggle between Hide Symmetry and Show Symmetry
By default, these options are not pre-bound to any keyboard shortcut.

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Choose Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
    • Choose Window > Workspace > Keyboard Shortcuts & Menus and click the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.

  2. From the Shortcuts For menu, choose Tools.

    In the Tool Panel Command column of the list, scroll to the bottom to find Toggle Symmetry Off/Last and Toggle Symmetry Visibility.

  3. Select and assign the desired keyboard shortcut. Click OK.

    For related information, see Customize keyboard shortcuts.

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