The Shape Bender is a SketchUp extension (available via the Extension Warehouse or SketchUcation) that allows you to bend a flat, straight group or component to match the curvature of a selected reference line. It essentially acts as a "bending machine" for your geometry.
SketchUp uses the as the default bending direction. If your Straight Curve and Geometry are aligned to the Green (Y) or Blue (Z) axis, Shape Bender will rotate them 90 degrees into oblivion.
Highlight the Group/Component you want to bend.
The Shape Bender plugin offers a range of benefits for SketchUp users, including: plugin sketchup shape bender
Before activating the tool, make sure you have prepared these four specific elements:
: A single straight line drawn along the red axis, representing the original length and orientation of the object. The Target Curve : The curved edge that represents the desired final shape. Workflow and Operation : Select the group or component first. Activation : Activate the tool via the SketchUp Extension Warehouse toolbar or the Plugins menu. : Click the first, then the Target Curve Preview & Toggle : A wireframe preview will appear. Use the Up/Down arrow keys
Draw a curve (arc, freehand, etc.) on the ground plane (red/green plane) that you want your object to bend along. Step 3: Run the Plugin Activate: Click the Shape Bender icon. The Shape Bender is a SketchUp extension (available
Click the component or group you want to bend.
One evening, he opened an old box and pulled out a bentwood stool his grandmother had used. Its curves were familiar and comforting; he realized that the plugin had connected him to a lineage of makers who had always found ways to bend nothing into something beautiful. He took a quick photo, sketched a contour from the stool, and used Shape Bender to translate that memory into a new design. When the prototype emerged — familiar but novel, a conversation between past and present — Evan felt the soft, private thrill that every maker knows: an idea moved from mind to matter.
To use the plugin effectively, you need three specific elements in your workspace: A Group or Component you want to bend. If your Straight Curve and Geometry are aligned
Let’s build a practical example: You have a straight stair baluster (a turned wood post) and you need it to follow a curved staircase handrail.
Once the wireframe preview looks exactly how you want it, press (or Return on Mac) on your keyboard. SketchUp will take a few moments to generate the new, bent geometry. Pro-Tips for Advanced Shape Bending
Warping flat slats or decorative elements to fit a chair’s frame.
To use the tool successfully, you must have three elements prepared:
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.