Shape Bender =link= | Plugin Sketchup

Create the curve or arc that you want your object to bend along. This path can be placed anywhere in your workspace, but keeping it near the baseline makes the process easier to visualize. Phase 2: Executing the Plugin

While SketchUp lacks a native, robust tool for bending existing geometry along custom paths, the plugin bridges this gap. Created by developer Chris Fullmer, this legendary script remains one of the most vital extensions for organic and parametric-style modelling.

Download it from the Extension Warehouse today, and stop fearing the curve.

Once installed, a small toolbar with a single icon (a straight line bending into a curve) will appear. You can also find it under the (or Plugins ) menu. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Shape Bender plugin sketchup shape bender

Draw a single straight line directly beneath your object along the red axis.

In essence, the plugin works like this: you give it a straight object, a straight reference line (drawn parallel to the ), and a curved target line. The plugin then seamlessly deforms the object along that curve.

Shape Bender did more than bend geometry; it bent the way Evan designed. He started thinking in flows instead of planes, sketching trajectories and then extruding components to follow them. The plugin's UI was clean — two pick tools (object and path), a few sliders for twist and tension, and an undo-friendly history. Some quirks emerged: if the object had internal nested components, the bending sometimes required exploding groups; complex paths could produce self-intersections that needed manual cleanup. Evan kept a small notebook of tips — freeze scales, align axes, and always check normals — and posted them back to the forum, a new node in the open-source taproot. Create the curve or arc that you want

Imagine trying to bend a thick piece of wood without any joints; it's impossible. The same goes for 3D models. If you try to bend a long, simple rectangular box with only four side faces, Shape Bender will distort the ends but cannot curve the middle.

Even though Shape Bender is straightforward, a few mistakes trip up almost everyone at first. Here are the most common problems and their solutions.

Shape Bender requires a helper library called Progressbar.rb . Ensure you have this installed (also available on Sketchucation) for the plugin to function correctly. Step-by-Step Guide: Using Shape Bender Created by developer Chris Fullmer, this legendary script

Before activating the tool, ensure your workspace has these three elements:

If the plugin bends your object perpendicular to the path instead of wrapped along it, open the component, right-click the internal axes, and change them to align with the red axis. Keep Reference Lines on the Red Axis

A green ghosted preview will appear. Use the Up Arrow key to flip the start and end of the bend, or the Down Arrow to toggle which side of the curve the geometry sits on. Press Enter to complete the operation. Pro Tips and Troubleshooting