This tool extrudes a profile along a given path (similar to the "Follow Me" tool but significantly more advanced).
Before anything, you need . It's not a plugin you use directly, but Curviloft cannot function without it. If you are using the free 1.x version, copy both the LibFredo6.rb file and its associated folder into your SketchUp "Plugins" directory, then repeat for the Curviloft files. Alternatively, rename the .zip file to .rbz and use "Install Extension" in the Extension Manager for both plugins, ensuring you have the free SketchUcation toolset to manage licensing for the latest version.
Note: As of recent updates, Fredo6 plugins require a small licensing fee via SketchUcation for commercial use. Ensure your licenses are validated under Extensions > Fredo6 Collection > License Management. Deep Dive: Mastering the Core Functions 1. Loft by Spline
| Feature | Native SketchUp Tools | Curviloft Plugin | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Difficult; requires manual stitching or "From Contours," which often results in messy geometry. | Automated, smooth, and adjustable. | | Extrusion | "Follow Me" is rigid; cannot handle twisting or shape morphing. | Handles twisting, banking, and shape interpolation. | | Topology | Native tools often create triangulated messes that are hard to edit. | Generates cleaner quad-based topology where possible. | | Organic Forms | Very limited; mostly boxy or primitive shapes. | Excellent for organic, tensile, and fluid forms. | curviloft plugin sketchup
It creates clean quad-based or smoothed surfaces rather than messy, fragmented triangles. How to Install the Curviloft Plugin
Installing Curviloft is a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to a few key dependencies. As many of Fredo6's powerful tools rely on a common framework, proper setup is crucial for the plugin to function correctly.
Once you master the basics, Curviloft becomes a tool for artistic expression. This tool extrudes a profile along a given
SketchUp's native "Follow Me" tool fails when the path has tight corners or when the profile has holes. Curviloft’s "Loft along Path" solves this.
If the geometry looks twisted, you can click on the origin points of each profile to realign them.
If you’ve spent any significant time in SketchUp, you’ve likely hit the "wall." You know the one—where you need to create a smooth, organic shape, a flowing fabric, or a complex curved transition, and the native tools just won't cooperate. SketchUp is fantastic for rectilinear architecture, but organic modeling can feel like pulling teeth. If you are using the free 1
: You must first install the LibFredo6 shared library (v8.1 or higher) for the plugin to function.
You select a perimeter made of three, four, or more connected curves, and Curviloft fills the empty space with a smooth, tensioned fabric-like skin.