Changing symmetry without moving part

[THX1138]

I have a docking port in a precise location on a tank and I don't want that location to change at all, not even the tinniest amount. I want the docking port to be copied into eight-symmetry but I can't do this in the normal way of changing the symmetry mode to eight and then clicking on the part because this causes the part to move. Is there a way that doesn't make the part move?

[Steelsunoa]

No, symmetry is achieved when placing the part. You could however alt-click the port and place the part again. This would make a copy of the docking port while leaving the original in place. Not exactly what you were going for I realize, but you've already placed the docking port.

[percyPrune]

Is there room to place a couple of temporary I beams on the tank with the ends touching (but not connected to) your docking port? If so, place one horizontal and one vertical. Then remove the port and place the new one (with symmetry) so it is touching the ends of the I beams again.

[THX1138]

No, symmetry is achieved when placing the part. You could however alt-click the port and place the part again. This would make a copy of the docking port while leaving the original in place. Not exactly what you were going for I realize, but you've already placed the docking port.

I haven't already placed the docking port. I just explained it in past tense for simplicity. I'm trying to consolidate a method to achieve something more complex than stated in the OP.

- - - Updated - - -

Is there room to place a couple of temporary I beams on the tank with the ends touching (but not connected to) your docking port? If so, place one horizontal and one vertical. Then remove the port and place the new one (with symmetry) so it is touching the ends of the I beams again.

I think that still requires me to eyeball the alignment though, right? I'd like it more precise than that. I'd like the precision absolute in-fact.

[vexx32]

If you want precision, place the parts, then use the Offset tool to position them. There are a couple of situations it won't like, but for the most part you should be able to use it in combination with the snap to grid feature (make sure Angle Snap is on, toggle that with C).

[THX1138]

If you want precision, place the parts, then use the Offset tool to position them. There are a couple of situations it won't like, but for the most part you should be able to use it in combination with the snap to grid feature (make sure Angle Snap is on, toggle that with C).

That won't work. They have to be a specific distance apart - the distance apart they'd be if they were attached to these things:

[vexx32]

Hmm. Is it possible for you to build what you need right on top of that there construction, then remove it and save it as a subassembly so you can load it up as a separate craft? I'm kind of starting to see where you're going with this, but I'd be lying if I said I can see an easy way to do it.

[THX1138]

Hmm. Is it possible for you to build what you need right on top of that there construction, then remove it and save it as a subassembly so you can load it up as a separate craft? I'm kind of starting to see where you're going with this, but I'd be lying if I said I can see an easy way to do it.

That's more or less what I'm trying to do. Right now I'm stuck at this stage (picture below) because I can't figure out how to detach the massive fuel tank with both ports attached (depending on what I make the root, I can have either one attached).

[Chewy]

Its not an ideal solution, but you could always take the piece you have with the small fuel tank, reaction wheels, hubs and docking ports and clip an identical item into the large fuel tank. If it bothers you to part clip, empty the fuel tank and disable torque on the reaction wheels.

Either that, or you might be able to find a combination of structural items that equal the exact same length of the tank/reaction wheels that could be clipped into the tank.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Chewy