Symmetry properties of objects described as B-Rep CAD models are analyzed locally as well as globally through an approach of type divide-and-conquer. The boundary of the object is defined using canonical surfaces frequently used when shaping mechanical components. Then, the first phase consists in generating maximal faces and edges that are independent from the object modelling process but that preserve its symmetry properties. These faces and edges form infinite sets of points that are processed globally. The second phase is the division one that creates candidate symmetry planes and axes attached to the previous maximal edges and faces. Finally, comes the propagation step of these candidate symmetry planes and axes forming the conquer phase that determines the local as well as the global symmetries of the object while characterizing its asymmetric areas.
