Plugin Sketchup Shape Bender _top_

Unlocking Endless Possibilities with the Shape Bender Plugin for SketchUp

Shape Bender is a free SketchUp extension that allows users to take a straight group or component and bend it to match the shape of a specific curve or arc. Unlike the standard "Rotate" or "Scale" tools, Shape Bender preserves the proportions and details of your geometry as it follows the new path. Key Capabilities plugin sketchup shape bender

Prepare Model: Create a group or component, and place it at the origin, aligned along the red axis. Unlocking Endless Possibilities with the Shape Bender Plugin

Important: 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 Keep your object’s polygon count moderate

The Target Curve: The curved path you want the object to follow. How to Use Shape Bender: Step-by-Step

The "Start/End" Label: When you click the reference line, you’ll see "Start" and "End" labels appear. These help you verify if the object will be inverted. If it looks backward in the preview, use the arrow keys to flip it. Common Use Cases

Performance Tips

• Keep your object’s polygon count moderate. Dense meshes dramatically increase compute time.
• For long or complex bends, turn off Hidden Geometry and Profiles in View settings.
• Use CleanUp extension first to remove stray geometry.
• Save before bending – undo is not always perfect after heavy bending.

• Break the Target Curve into thirds (Straight -> Curve -> Straight).
• Bend the first section.
• Explode the result.
• Group and bend again.

To use Shape Bender, you must have three specific elements in your model: The Object oriented along the The Base Line : A single straight line drawn on the directly below or adjacent to your object. The Target Curve : The curved path you want the object to follow. 🚀 How to Use It Once your elements are ready, follow this workflow: Select the Object : Click on your group or component. Activate the Tool Plugins > Chris Fullmer Tools > Shape Bender Pick the Base Line : Click the straight line on the Red Axis. Pick the Curve : Click the target path. Preview and Finalize wireframe preview will appear. Up/Down Arrow keys to flip the start/end or the direction of the bend. to generate the final geometry. 💡 Pro Tips for Success