How do I take an object and duplicate it

[Richard Bates]

Have a set of vectors on the right side of my project and need a short cut to duplicate and move to the right side. Saw this shortcut but cannot remember what it is.

[Bob Reda]

Use the mirror selected objects under the tool panel

[tmerrill]

The shortcut to copy and mirror horizontally is Ctrl-Shift-h.

The shortcut to copy and mirror vertically is Ctrl-Shift-v.

Tim

[Richard Bates]

Thank you very much. This is what I was looking for.

[EarlHolzman]

additional question: How do I copy an object without making a mirror image. I am making a series of parts where each one is slightly different. They are a-symmetrical. I want to copy the first one, make slight modifications to the item shape and go on to the next one...

I would think it should be possible to just copy an object.

[FixitMike]

Copying an object:

One method I have used is to use the array tool. If you tell it you want 1 row and two columns, it will give you your second copy.

A faster method is to select the object(s) you want to copy, click a second time on one of the objects. Then Control left click on the center box and drag a copy to the new location. Control Shift dragging constrains the movement to a vertical or horizontal path.

[FixitMike]

Another method to copy:

Select the objects you want to copy.
Press Control C
Press Control V, the copy will be placed on top of the original. If you have changed layers, the new copy will be placed on the new layer.
Click and drag the copy to its new location.

[Adrian]

If you select the vectors (make sure that you click twice to get the move handles up) you want to copy and then, while holding down the Ctrl key, drag the vectors with the mouse (hold down left mouse button) when you release the left mouse button a copy of the vectors will be at the mouse location.

This method has the advantage of putting the copied vectors onto the same layer as the originals. The usual Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V method places the vectors on the active layer instead as Mike says.

[ssflyer]

Another small point, if using Adrian's method - if you hold down the Ctrl & Shift together while dragging, it will constrain the copy in either the horizontal or vertical axes. This allows you to keep the copies in line with the original.