In this tutorial, we will learn how to use the Procreate Symmetry Tool, or better said, how to do mirroring in Procreate. You can use it when you want to create a precise symmetrical illustration, like for the times when you struggle to draw the other eye.
The Procreate Symmetry Tool allows you to see live mirroring when you draw. This tool works as a reflection, which is why many people call it the mirror in Procreate. The Procreate mirror tool is a built-in option, so there’s no need to download anything. Once you’ve mastered how to mirror in Procreate, you’ll put less time and effort into creating your pieces while ending up with great results.
For this tutorial, I used Procreate Sketch Pencil Brushes available on Envato Elements.
What You Will Learn in This Procreate Symmetry Tool Tutorial
- Where the Symmetry Tool is located
- How to adjust the Symmetry Tool
- How to use the Vertical, Horizontal, Quadrant, and Radial options of the Symmetry Tool
- How to do symmetry in Procreate
- How to mirror drawing in Procreate
- Procreate mirror tool options
- How to use Assisted Drawing
- How to use Rotational Symmetry
1. How to Switch on the Symmetry Tool in Procreate
Once you have created a new canvas, look at the Editing Tools (top left) and click on the Actions tool (wrench button). From the drop-down menu on the top bar, find the Canvas button. Click on it, and then find the Drawing Guide and move the slider to the right. By doing this, you just switched on the Drawing Guide.
2. How to Adjust the Symmetry Tool in Procreate
Step 1
The default settings make your drawing guide a grid, which is why we want to adjust it since it is not the symmetry tool just yet. To do that, click Edit Drawing Guide.
Step 2
Once you click on Edit Drawing Guide, it will show you a new window called Drawing Guides. Here, at the bottom of your screen, you have four options: 2D grid, Isometric, Perspective, and Symmetry. This is where the Procreate Symmetry Tool is located. Press the Symmetry button.
A little bit lower, you can see two options: Opacity (regulates the transparency of the drawing lines) and Thickness (regulates the thickness of the drawing lines). Feel free to move these sliders around to achieve the result that you want.
Step 3
Moving on further to the right, you will find the Options button. Clicking on it will open a new menu called Guide Options. Here are the Vertical, Horizontal, Quadrant, and Radial options of the Procreate Symmetry Tool. Usually, the Vertical one is chosen by default. You don’t need to press anything else. Just make sure that Assisted Drawing is active.
Right in the middle of the canvas, there is a blue dot. By moving it, you can move the axis and change its position. On top of the canvas, there is a green dot, which allows you to rotate the axis.
Step 4
Look at the top of this window: see the colorful line? You can choose the color of the guidelines here. After that, press Done. Now, everything you draw on one side of the canvas will be reflected on the other side in real time.
3. How to Use the Vertical Symmetry Tool in Procreate
So now your canvas has a vertical line in the middle. Draw something on one side and see how it mirrors on the opposite side. Try to draw a heart:
4. How to Use the Horizontal Symmetry Tool in Procreate
Create a new layer for the new image, and switch off the previous one. In order to change the Symmetry Tool from Vertical to Horizontal, you need to go to the Actions tool > Canvas > Edit Drawing Guide. The Symmetry button is already activated. You just need to click the Options button and choose Horizontal. Make sure Assisted Drawing is active. Then press Done.
Everything you draw on the bottom of the canvas will reflect on top, and vice versa. You could try to draw a beetle. Here is mine:
5. How to Use the Quadrant Symmetry Tool in Procreate
Let’s try the Quadrant Symmetry Tool. Go to the Actions tool > Canvas > Edit Drawing Guide. Click the Options button and choose Quadrant. Make sure that Assisted Drawing stays active, and then press Done. Now, if you draw on one-quarter of the canvas, your drawing will be mirrored in the other three-quarters. Why don’t you create a tile?
Did you notice that your layers now have a small inscription Assisted under the name? It means that Assisted Drawing is active. You can switch it off anytime: click on your layer in the Layers tool and, from the drop-down menu, remove the tick next to Drawing Assist.
6. How to Use the Radial Symmetry Tool in Procreate
The next option in Procreate Symmetry Tool is the Radial Symmetry. Again, go to the Actions tool > Canvas > Edit Drawing Guide. Click the Options button and choose Radial. Assisted Drawing has to be active. Then press Done. It’s the best way to draw a mandala. You draw on ⅛ of the canvas, and your drawing mirrors on the other ⅞ of the canvas. This Procreate mirror tool works like magic! Let’s create a mandala.
7. How to Use the Rotational Symmetry Tool in Procreate
The last thing I would like to show you is Rotational Symmetry. Once again, go to the Actions tool > Canvas > Edit Drawing Guide. Click the Options button. Everything stays as before (Radial, Assisted Drawing), but just switch on Rotational Symmetry additionally. Then press Done.
Let's draw some swirls:
You Did It!
Congratulations to those who made it to the end. You now know how to mirror in Procreate. You know how to use the Procreate Symmetry Tool and how to mirror draw in Procreate. We have walked through all the options of the Procreate mirror tool: Vertical, Horizontal, Quadrant, and Radial. Now you can draw symmetrical faces, perfect flowers, and mandalas.
You can use this knowledge in your future projects. Whatever you do, have fun using the Procreate mirror tool!
If you want some inspiration, here is an image I created using the Procreate Symmetry Tool and Procreate Sketch Pencil Brushes:
Want to Go Deeper Into Procreate? Take a Look at These Tutorials
