Flip a Component (Mirror)

Super Administrator

Written By Jason Colcombe

Updated at January 29th, 2026

Introduction

This article explains how to FLIP components in SketchUp, it will explain the basic ways to flip/mirror items, using the standard Flip tool, keyboard shortcuts, and other helpful features.  We will show you step-by-step how to select items, flip them in different directions. 

 

User Interface overview

The tool is located on the SketchUp Getting Started Toolbar or using the keyboard shortcut F.

 

 

Steps for Flipping Components

  1. Prepare the view and snapping - for flipping by using snapping points and end labels:
    • For clarity on the ScaffPlan Toolbar, toggle Snapping Points and Labels Visibility to display both item Snap Points and labels (End 1/End 2).
    • In SketchUp, enable X-Ray: View → Face Style → X-Ray (or use Styles toolbar).
  2. Select the Item
    • Start by clicking on the Select Tool in the toolbar, click on the component or group of items you wish to flip. (You can select multiple items by holding down the Ctrl key while selecting).
  3. Flip the Component
  • Use the Flip Tool or press F on the keyboard to activate Flip.
  1. Choose the Flip Axis
    • Click on the desired axis or guide to define the flipping direction. You can select the red (X), green (Y), or blue (Z) axes for mirroring. – use the Advanced Move Features if necessary.
  2. Flipping Objects
    • Once you’ve selected the objects and flip axis, move the axis into position by dragging to a position or face of an object, watch as the objects mirror along the chosen axis.
  3. Copy the Component in Flip/Mirror
    • Press the CTRL key on the Keyboard to activate Copy.
    • Position the Axis
      • Either drag the axis into position or to the face of an object, watch as the objects are duplicated and mirrored along the chosen axis.
 

Advanced Move Features

When the Flip Tool is active the Status Bar contains important Tooltips about that tool in the middle area of the status bar including usage and modifiers

Inference Direction: To lock an inference to an Axis as you move, hold down the Shift key when the Axis turns the color of your desired axis you can, use the Arrow keys to manually lock to an axis if necessary

Red (X-Axis)              Left to Right                     à      (Right Arrow)

Green (Y-Axis)          Front to Back                  ß       (Left Arrow)

Blue (Z-Axis)             Vertically Up/Down         á        (Up Arrow)