Plugin Sketchup - Shape Bender

If you are working on a specific project right now, let me know (e.g., text, furniture, a railing) and what version of SketchUp you are using. I can give you custom advice to make sure your geometry curves perfectly! Share public link

Once you have your four elements prepared, follow this exact sequence to execute the bend: 1. Select the Object Click on your grouped 3D object to highlight it. 2. Activate the Plugin

If the preview looks upside down, backward, or inside out, use the Up/Down Arrow Keys on your keyboard to toggle the orientation. Use the Left/Right Arrow Keys to reverse the direction of the bend.

The smoothness of your final bent object depends entirely on the segments of your target curve. Before drawing your arc, type a higher number (e.g., 48s for 48 segments) and hit Enter to ensure a perfectly smooth curve.

The plugin, also known as "形体弯曲" (Xíngtǐ Wānqū) in Chinese SketchUp communities, is one of the most popular and practical extensions for creating bent or organically shaped models. Developed by Chris Fullmer, this tool simplifies complex modeling tasks that would otherwise require advanced manual manipulation. plugin sketchup shape bender

The curved path (arc, circle, or freehand line) you want the object to take. The Workflow:

Shape Bender is available via the or Sketchucation .

A curved line, arc, or welded polyline that represents the final shape you want.

This is the most common error. Shape Bender strictly requires the straight base line to run perfectly along the Red X-axis. Delete the line, turn on your axis visibility, and redraw it carefully making sure the line snaps to the red color indicator. The geometry looks completely distorted or exploded If you are working on a specific project

While the plugin is highly efficient, getting clean topology requires a basic understanding of how SketchUp calculates curves.

To ensure Shape Bender works perfectly without errors, your model must be set up with absolute precision. Follow this exact workflow to bend your first object. Phase 1: Preparation

[ Your Group/Component ] | [ Straight Reference Line (Red Axis) ] | [ Curved Target Path ]

When you activate the plugin, it maps the geometry of the 3D object from the straight baseline directly onto the target curve, warping and curving the object seamlessly. How to Install Shape Bender Select the Object Click on your grouped 3D

A curved line (or a series of connected arcs/lines welded together) that represents the final shape you want your object to take. The Execution Process: Select the Object: Click on your 3D group or component.

Press the on your keyboard to toggle the direction of the bend.

Click the (or go to Extensions > CLF Shape Bender). Your cursor will change to a pointer with a small line grid.

If your curved path consists of multiple segments or arcs joined together, they must be "welded" into a single continuous curve. Select the lines, right-click, and choose Weld Edges (available natively in newer SketchUp versions or via plugins like Curvizard). Troubleshooting Common Shape Bender Errors 1. "The selection must be a single group or component"

: Your object or your straight reference line is not perfectly parallel to the Red Axis. Re-align them using the drawing axes or the Move tool. Alternatively, check inside the group to ensure the component’s internal axes match the global red axis. Nothing happens when I press Enter