In many instances, a modeler can take advantage of symmetry present in a problem to reduce the computational complexity of a subsequent analysis. EnSight can impart visual realism to such models by mirroring parts around any or all axes of the part's reference frame or performing rotational symmetry about any of the axes. Although the mirrored or rotated portions appear identical to the source part (except for the reflection or rotation), they are only visual (client-based) and cannot be used for calculation. For example, you cannot start a particle trace in one half of a mirrored model and expect the trace to cross the plane of symmetry into the other half (although you can make the particle trace part symmetric as well).

EnSight also provides true or computational symmetry operations (mirror, rotational, translational) as an attribute of the part's reference frame. This option creates the symmetry instances as actual data on the server. Therefore, with computational symmetry, you can trace particles across a periodic boundary.

There now exists an option for rotational periodicity, where one can have particle traces exit a symmetry surface and re-enter on the corresponding symmetry surface and continue. This does not require the creation of additional geometry on the server (like computational symmetry does), but does require some additional information to be included in the Part Visual Symmetry dialog (see below) - along with the setting of a toggle in the Trace creation dialog. See the Periodic Trace section in the Create Particle Traces.

Both types of symmetry (visual or computational) are based on the part's reference frame. Although you can use simple visual or computational symmetry without having to manipulate the frame, more advanced usage of symmetry could require a working knowledge of frames. See Create and Manipulate Frames for more information.