Controlling reflect axis

[Brad_Schick@adobeforums.com]

Using version 11, I am having trouble precisely controlling a reflection axis. I have a small object and a large object (both are symmetric). The small object is offset to the left of the large object. All I want to do is reflect the small object around the center axis of the large object. Using the reflect tool and holding down Alt doesn't seem to snap to points or guides.

Thanks,
-Brad

[sven_haarkoetter@adobeforums.com]

Hi Brad,
turn on magnetic 'guides' (I wonder if this is the engl phrase for it, but it's the only 'magnetic' tool in the main menu so you will find it ;-)
Now the center point of the larger obj should show up when moving the cursor near to it and Alt-click will use it as the center for this operation.

[Brad_Schick@adobeforums.com]

Thanks sven, this is probably "Smart Guides" in the EN version. Since the large object did not have an anchor point at its center this is what I did:

1. Enable smart guides
2. Drew a vertical line and aligned it with the center of the large object
3. Used the reflection tool to alt-click on the centered line
4. Made a "vertical" copy

It surprises me that this isn't more straight forward. Seems like this would be a common task.

-Brad

[B. Philippus]

Brad:

The attributes palette has a button to show or hide centers of objects.

Bert