How To Mirror Drawings In Inkscape

The other day, I needed to draw a symmetrical object (a map betoken icon) in Inkscape, the wonderful free vector graphics editor. I was surprised to detect that there is no symmetrical modeling feature, so I improvised. Hither's how to create a symmetrical polygon in Inkscape:

Draw half of the object, using the line tool (I know you want a polygon, but draw one side of the object as a line). If yous want something that is symmetrical both horizontally and vertically, depict one quarter of the object. I advise using a guide, so that yous can become the ends of the line to exist vertically aligned (for vertical symmetry, i.eastward. left and correct) or horizontally aligned (for horizontal symmetry). Get the shape right, because in one case you create the polygon, the sides will no longer automatically mirror each other.
Copy the line you but made and paste (ctrl-alt-five, Paste in Place, may arrive easier to line up later, although it will be invisible when first pasted because it volition marshal perfectly with the original path) information technology into the document. Cull Object->Flip Horizontal or Object->Flip Vertical, depending on the axis of symmetry. Move the flipped object then that the ends line up (i.eastward. it forms a polygon). You tin can apply the pointer keys to align it; holding Alt while using the arrow keys makes them move the object finely. If you are doing ii-centrality symmetry, create three copies and flip one horizontally, i vertically, and one both vertically and horizontally, then line information technology all up.
Use the paint bucket tool to fill the area independent by the lines. This will create a polygon that is symmetrical. You can now either delete the polylines or motility them to a hidden layer if you call back you'll need them again.