A computer-implemented method of modifying the design of a finite element mesh representing a 3D model of an object of manufacture and configured for simulation of the object of manufacture, the method comprising: by a user, defining a symmetric constraint of a finite element mesh representing a subject 3D model displayed on a graphical user interface coupled to a processor, the symmetric constraint comprising two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh to be modified symmetrically; identifying, by the processor, corresponding finite elements between the two asymmetric zones; the user performing a design change through the graphical user interface, the design change consisting of a topological manipulation to at least one finite element of the two asymmetric zones; and performing, in response to the user design change, the topological manipulation symmetrically on the identified finite element of the asymmetric zone corresponding to the at least one finite element, such that the manipulation results in the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh being topologically modified symmetrically and representing a symmetrical topological modification in the subject 3D model; wherein the topological manipulation comprises at least one of: a face extrusion; an edge cut; a face subdivision; a bevel; and a face removal: further comprising: determining a local symmetric plane defined by a barycenter of the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh and normal to a direction defined by the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh, the direction between the two asymmetric zones being identified using the barycenter of each closed contour of each zone; and updating the symmetric constraint and the identified corresponding finite elements to reflect the performed topological manipulations using the determined local symmetric plane. by a user, defining a symmetric constraint of a finite element mesh representing a subject 3D model displayed on a graphical user interface coupled to a processor, the symmetric constraint comprising two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh to be modified symmetrically; identifying, by the processor, corresponding finite elements between the two asymmetric zones; the user performing a design change through the graphical user interface, the design change consisting of a topological manipulation to at least one finite element of the two asymmetric zones; and performing, in response to the user design change, the topological manipulation symmetrically on the identified finite element of the asymmetric zone corresponding to the at least one finite element, such that the manipulation results in the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh being topologically modified symmetrically and representing a symmetrical topological modification in the subject 3D model; a face extrusion; an edge cut; a face subdivision; a bevel; and a face removal: further comprising: determining a local symmetric plane defined by a barycenter of the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh and normal to a direction defined by the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh, the direction between the two asymmetric zones being identified using the barycenter of each closed contour of each zone; and updating the symmetric constraint and the identified corresponding finite elements to reflect the performed topological manipulations using the determined local symmetric plane. determining a local symmetric plane defined by a barycenter of the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh and normal to a direction defined by the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh, the direction between the two asymmetric zones being identified using the barycenter of each closed contour of each zone; and updating the symmetric constraint and the identified corresponding finite elements to reflect the performed topological manipulations using the determined local symmetric plane. <EOS>