Plugin Sketchup Shape Bender <DELUXE>
If your geometry is vertical (Blue axis), but you need to bend it horizontally:
The plugin sketchup shape bender is an indispensable tool that takes SketchUp from a "straight-line box modeler" to a serious surface-modeling weapon. It bridges the gap between architectural precision and organic curvature.
While it requires strict discipline regarding axis alignment and grouping, once you master the "Red Line / Blue Line" workflow, you will wonder how you ever modeled a curved handrail before.
Final Checklist before using Shape Bender:
Download it from the Extension Warehouse today, and stop fearing the curve. plugin sketchup shape bender
Did this guide help you bend a tricky model? Share your results in the SketchUp community forums under #ShapeBenderSuccess.
CLF Shape Bender, developed by Chris Fullmer, is a free SketchUp extension used to bend groups or components along a curved path. It is highly effective for creating complex geometry like curved windows, arched text, or serpentine walls that are difficult to model manually. Core Requirements for Use
To ensure the plugin functions correctly, your model must be set up with three specific elements:
A Group or Component: The object you want to bend must be a group or component, not raw geometry. If your geometry is vertical (Blue axis), but
A Base Line: A single straight line drawn on the red axis that represents the length of the original object.
A Bend Path: A curve or series of connected lines that define the final shape. Step-by-Step Workflow
When searching for "plugin sketchup shape bender fix," these are the top complaints:
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Geometry disappears | The Red baseline is not at the object's start edge. | Move the object so its left edge touches the line's starting point. |
| Bends inside-out | The curve was clicked in the wrong direction. | Undo. Re-run the tool, but click the Target Curve from the opposite end. |
| "Not a group" error | You haven't grouped the geometry. | Select all faces/edges, right-click > Make Group. |
| Stretching/shrinking | Red baseline length doesn't match Target Curve length. | Measure the curve length using Entity Info. Adjust the Red baseline to match exactly. | Download it from the Extension Warehouse today, and
Before clicking a single button, you must understand the math. Shape Bender does not "smush" geometry. It performs a linear deformation.
Imagine you have a straight line (the "straight curve") and a curved line (the "target curve"). The plugin maps the position of every vertex relative to the start of the straight line. If a vertex is 30% along the straight line, it will be placed 30% along the arc-length of the curved line.
The Golden Rule: Shape Bender only works cleanly on geometry that is fundamentally linear. If your object has internal curves or complex faces that rely on absolute angles (like a gear), bending it will introduce shearing.