diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DirectionUtil.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DirectionUtil.java
index 8e9cd446e..563738249 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DirectionUtil.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DirectionUtil.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: DirectionUtil.java,v 1.7 2002/07/02 23:15:53 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: DirectionUtil.java,v 1.8 2003/02/12 07:22:04 mdb Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.util;
 
@@ -107,6 +107,14 @@ public class DirectionUtil implements DirectionCodes
         return direction;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the opposite of the specified direction.
+     */
+    public static int getOpposite (int direction)
+    {
+        return rotateCW(direction, FINE_CW_ROTATE.length/2);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns which of the eight compass directions that point
      * <code>b</code> lies in from point <code>a</code> as one of the