The target curve can be made of multiple lines or arcs, but it works best if it's a single, continuous curve.
Think of it like a digital rolling mill. You provide the plugin with three pieces of information: A group or component you want to bend.
Ready to get started? Head over to the SketchUp Extension Warehouse or a trusted source to download and install the Shape Bender plugin.
If the shape bends backward, press the UP arrow key to reverse it.
Shows a wireframe preview of the bend before you commit to the change. How to Install Shape Bender plugin sketchup shape bender
SketchUp will display a green wireframe preview of the bent object.
The straight reference line must match the length of the component to prevent distortion.
Suddenly, a wireframe ghost appeared. It wasn’t quite right—it was facing the wrong way. He tapped the
Before installing Shape Bender, you must install its dependency file, (formerly known as clf_lib or Chris Fullmer Tools), which provides the shared code required for the plugin to run. Step-by-Step Installation: Open SketchUp. Navigate to Extensions > Extension Warehouse . The target curve can be made of multiple
Press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys on your keyboard to flip the direction of the bend or invert the object.
: For older versions, plugins can be manually added by dragging the .rbz file into the SketchUp Plugins folder. Workflow Tips
Shape Bender bridges this gap. It takes any existing 3D group or component, aligns it to a straight reference line, and then morphs that geometry to match a target curved line. How to Install Shape Bender
Shape Bender cannot bend a flat face that has no segments. If you try to bend a long, simple rectangular box, the plugin will warp the ends but keep the middle completely flat and distorted. You must add vertical subdivisions (loop cuts) along the length of your object before bending so it has enough geometry to curve smoothly. Watch Your Curve Segments Ready to get started
Despite being an older plugin, the CLF Shape Bender remains highly functional in newer versions of SketchUp, including 2024 and beyond.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to install, master, and troubleshoot the SketchUp Shape Bender plugin. What is the Shape Bender Plugin?
If you'd like to explore how to specifically bend 3D text or stairs, let me know!