Plugin Sketchup Shape Bender ^hot^ -

This usually happens if your original 3D object contains nested groups or has un-uncontrollable internal faces. Explode your complex groups down into a single, clean outer shell group before applying the bend. The plugin does nothing when I press Enter

Creating curved, flowing geometry in SketchUp can be incredibly frustrating. While the native software excels at straight lines, boxy structures, and rigid angles, warping a complex 3D object along a smooth curve is nearly impossible out of the box.

Navigate to > Extension Manager (or Window > Extension Manager depending on your version). Click the Install Extension button at the bottom left.

Creating curved chair backs, bowed drawer fronts, or bent-wood laminations.

If the bend looks inverted, upside down, or backward, use your keyboard's Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to toggle the direction of the bend. plugin sketchup shape bender

Click the (or go to Extensions > Chris Fullmer Tools > Shape Bender). Click the Reference Line (the straight line). Click the Target Path (the curve).

Shape Bender requires Chris Fullmer’s "Progressbar" library. Open SketchUp, navigate to the Extension Warehouse , search for Progressbar , and install it.

Works specifically on grouped geometry, ensuring your model stays organized.

What makes Shape Bender so popular among the SketchUp community? It’s a combination of powerful features and intelligent design. This usually happens if your original 3D object

If the preview looks upside down or backward, press the or Down Arrow keys on your keyboard to toggle the orientation.

Ensure the object you want to bend is a single Group or Component. Raw geometry will not work.

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"

Bending custom geometry along complex, multi-directional curves. Moderate (stretches to match path length). (by ThomThom) While the native software excels at straight lines,

While Shape Bender is excellent, it is not the only option for bending in 2026. Complex, free-form, single-path bending. True Bend Quick and easy bending of objects along an arc. Curic Face Knife Not a bender, but excellent for cleaning up bent geometry.

The pro tip? Do your bending before you apply textures or add tiny, intricate details that don't need to bend. Keep the geometry low-poly during the bend, and add the complexity afterward.

The straight reference line must match the length of the component to prevent distortion.