To mirror drawing in Procreate, you use the Symmetry Guide, which is part of the Drawing Guides feature. This built-in tool lets you create perfectly symmetrical designs, such as mandalas, faces, or patterns, by reflecting your strokes across a central axis.
How to mirror drawing in Procreate with the symmetry guide
- Open the Actions menu (wrench icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Tap on Canvas in the Actions menu.
- Toggle on Drawing Guides, then tap Edit Drawing Guide.
- In the Drawing Guides screen, tap the Symmetry button at the bottom.
- By default, Vertical Symmetry is enabled. To activate the mirroring effect on your strokes, ensure Drawing Assist is enabled for the specific layer you are working on. When you set up a Symmetry guide, Drawing Assist is typically switched on by default for the primary layer.
The mirror tool icon is represented by two overlapping squares with a line of symmetry in the toolbar at the top of the screen. To mirror your drawing horizontally using the mirror tool, tap and hold on the canvas with two fingers to bring up a magnifying glass, then drag to adjust the size of the mirror tool. Once enabled, anything you draw on one side of the canvas is automatically mirrored to the other side, making it effortless to achieve balanced compositions.
Choosing your symmetry mode: vertical, horizontal, quadrant, and radial
Procreate offers four symmetry modes to suit different mirroring needs. Vertical Symmetry mirrors strokes from left to right. Horizontal Symmetry mirrors top to bottom. Quadrant Symmetry divides the canvas into four mirrored sections, ideal for complex patterns. Radial Symmetry splits the canvas into eight segments for mandala-like effects. To switch modes, tap the corresponding option at the bottom of the Drawing Guides screen after selecting Symmetry.
Adjusting the symmetry line position and rotation
You can adjust the position of the symmetry lines by dragging the blue positional node on the canvas. To rotate the axis to a custom angle, use the green rotational node. This flexibility allows you to mirror your drawing at any angle, not just the default vertical or horizontal axes.
Customizing the symmetry guide appearance
In the Drawing Guides screen, you can change the color, opacity, and thickness of the symmetry guide lines using the available sliders. Customizing these settings improves visibility against your artwork, making it easier to see the axis while you draw. This is especially helpful when working on complex pieces that require precision, such as coloring, shading and rendering in Procreate.
Understanding mirror vs. rotational symmetry
Procreate's default symmetry uses Mirror Symmetry, which reflects and flips your strokes across the guideline. Rotational Symmetry is an alternative mode where strokes are reflected and rotated, flipping horizontally and vertically at the same time. Use Mirror Symmetry when you want a simple reflection (like a face or butterfly), and Rotational Symmetry for designs that repeat in a circular pattern, such as kaleidoscopic effects or radial mandalas. You can toggle Rotational Symmetry on or off in the Symmetry options.
Troubleshooting: when drawing assist is not working
If the mirroring effect is not active on your strokes, Drawing Assist may not be enabled for the correct layer. To manually enable it, tap the layer in the Layers panel, then select Drawing Assist from the Layer Options menu. Always ensure the correct layer is selected before drawing, as Drawing Assist applies per layer and not globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror only part of my drawing instead of the whole canvas?
Yes, you can mirror specific layers by selecting the layer in the Layers panel, then using the Transform tool to flip it horizontally or vertically. This does not require the Symmetry Guide. You can mirror specific layers without the Symmetry Guide by selecting the layer, tapping the Transform tool, and using the flip horizontal or flip vertical buttons.
Does mirroring work with the Apple Pencil?
Yes, the Symmetry Guide and Drawing Assist work with the Apple Pencil, providing the same mirrored effect as using your finger.
Can I save my symmetry guide settings for future projects?
Procreate does not currently save individual symmetry guide settings as presets, but you can duplicate a canvas that has your preferred symmetry setup to reuse it.
Why does my mirrored stroke look offset or misaligned?
This usually happens if the symmetry axis has been moved or rotated accidentally. Reset the axis by tapping the blue positional node and dragging it back to the center, or use the green rotational node to realign it.
Is there a way to mirror text or imported images in Procreate?
Yes, you can mirror text or imported images by selecting the layer containing them and using the Transform tool's flip options. The Symmetry Guide only affects new brush strokes, not existing content.
Is the mirroring feature available on all devices?
The mirroring feature is available in all versions of Procreate, including Procreate Pocket for iPhone.
