Before diving into buttons and menus, let's look at the problems Curviloft solves.
The digital design world is moving toward real-time parametrics (Grasshopper, Blender Geometry Nodes). However, for the millions of architects, interior designers, and woodworkers who use SketchUp as their daily driver, Curviloft is essential.
It bridges the massive gap between "push/pull" and "subdivision modeling." It turns SketchUp from a "paper and pencil" tool into a "clay and rib" tool.
If you ever find yourself saying, "I wish I could smoothly morph this square into this circle," you do not need a new software. You need the Curviloft plugin for SketchUp.
Final Rating: 9.5/10 (Deducted half a point for the initial learning curve regarding vertex matching, but plus points for stability and speed.)
Where to buy: Visit the SketchUcation Store. Support TIG so he keeps updating this miracle tool for future versions of SketchUp.
This article was written for advanced intermediate SketchUp users. Always save your file before running complex lofting operations to prevent crashes with large geometry.
Curviloft is a specialized SketchUp extension developed by Fredo6 that simplifies the creation of organic, non-linear geometry by generating surfaces from existing curves or contours. It is widely considered an essential tool for architects and 3D modelers who need to create complex "skins" or smooth transitions between different shapes. Core Functionality
The plugin is divided into three primary modeling modes, each tailored for different geometric challenges: curviloft plugin sketchup
Loft by Spline: Connects separate contours (like a circle and a hexagon) with smooth, interpolated splines to create a continuous surface.
Loft Along Path: Generates a surface by following a specific "rail" or path defined by the user. It offers methods like Stretch, Offset, and Sweep to control the resulting shape's thickness and deformation.
Skinning: Creates a "skin" over a frame of four or more intersecting or adjacent edges, ideal for filling complex organic gaps. Key Features & Workflow
Interactive Preview Mode: After selecting your curves, the tool enters a preview state where you can adjust parameters and see the changes reflected in real-time before finalizing the geometry.
Pseudo-Quads Generation: Curviloft can generate "pseudo-quad" meshes, which are compatible with other advanced tools like QuadFaceTools for further mesh refinement.
Vertex Matching: It automatically attempts to line up vertices between contours of different segment counts, though users can manually add "separators" to control exactly where the mesh splits. Requirements & Installation
To use Curviloft, you must install several components through the SketchUcation ExtensionStore:
LibFredo6: The foundational shared library required for all Fredo6 plugins (v14.3b or above). Before diving into buttons and menus, let's look
SketchUcation ExtensionStore: Necessary for managing the plugin and its license.
Restart: You must restart SketchUp after installation for the tools to load properly. Licensing Information
As of recent updates, Curviloft is a paid/licensed extension:
Free Trial: A 30-day full-feature trial period is available from the first usage. Perpetual License: Approximately $15 for a 3-seat license.
Bundle Option: It is included in the Fredo6Bundle (containing 8 plugins) for approximately $50.
For those looking for free alternatives, while less powerful, users often look toward tools like Simple Loft by Chris Fullmer or the native Extrude Tools by TIG.
Other plugins similar to Curviloft, RoundCorner and JointPushPull
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. This article was written for advanced intermediate SketchUp
How to use it:
Why it’s better: It handles torsion (twisting) better than native tools. You can also use multiple profiles along the same path to make the extrusion morph (e.g., a rectangular handle that turns into a circular knob at the end).
Best for: Piping, custom handrails, bent wood laminations, and twisted architectural fins.
Extrudes a single profile along a path (like Follow Me but more controllable).
Steps:
💡 Perfect for railings, gutters, curved molding, tubes.
This is the most intuitive tool. You provide a Path (a single line, curve, or polyline) and a series of Profiles (shapes perpendicular to the path).