Sketchup — Curviloft Plugin

Report: Curviloft Plugin for SketchUp

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Technical Review and Application Analysis of Curviloft Prepared For: SketchUp Users and 3D Modeling Professionals

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5. Installation and Requirements

• Source: Available via the SketchUcation Plugin Store or the Extension Warehouse.
• Dependency: Curviloft requires LibFredo6 to function. This is a common library script used by many of Fredo6’s plugins. Users must install LibFredo6 first.
• License: It is currently Freeware, though users are encouraged to donate to the developer.

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9. Learning Resources

• Official Fredo6 Curviloft thread (SketchUcation) – includes animated GIFs & PDF manual.
• YouTube tutorials: Search “Curviloft SketchUp” – channels like SketchUpEssentials, TheSketchUpEssentials, Architecture Inspirations.
• Practice files – Create simple shapes (cone, wavy surface, vase) before complex models.

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Part 2: Installation and Setup

Before you start modeling, you need to get the tool installed. Curviloft is a RBZ file (SketchUp’s Ruby archive format).

Step-by-Step Installation:

1. Download the plugin from SketchUcation (official source) or Smustard.
2. Open SketchUp. Go to Window > Extension Manager.
3. Click Install Extension and locate the downloaded .rbz file.
4. Restart SketchUp if necessary.

Where to find it: After installation, Curviloft typically generates a toolbar with five icons. If you don't see it, go to View > Toolbars > Curviloft. Alternatively, you can find it under Extensions > Curviloft.

Pro Tip: Curviloft works best with clean geometry. Before using it, install CleanUp³ (also by TIG) and LibFredo6 (a required library for many French plugins). LibFredo6 adds language translation and visual feedback that Curviloft depends on.

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Tool 3: Curviloft Skinning (The "Mesh" Generator)

Skinning is the black belt level of Curviloft. It works with a "bed" of intersecting curves. Think of it as a weaving machine: you have vertical curves (longitudinal) and horizontal curves (transversal). Skinning creates a surface that follows the intersection of both sets. curviloft plugin sketchup

• Example: Modeling a wavy car roof with windshield lines and rear window lines. You draw 3 longitudinal guides and 4 transversal guides. Skinning respects the exact boundaries of all curves.

Workflow C: Solid from Curves (For 3D Printing)

Curviloft creates faces, not solids. To 3D print a lofted model:

1. Loft the external surface (e.g., the outside of a bottle).
2. Loft the internal surface (e.g., the hollow inside).
3. Cap the top and bottom using Curviloft (Skinning with two identical circles) or using the native Draw > Edges > Add Capping Plane.
4. Select everything, right-click, and choose Outer Shell (if using Solid Tools) or use Eneroth Solid Solver.

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When to use it

• Modeling ship hulls, aircraft fuselages, custom furniture, organic forms, or any object defined by guide curves.
• When Push/Pull or native tools can’t produce smooth transitional surfaces between non-planar curves.

C. Skinning (Surface from Contours)

Creates a surface from a grid of intersecting curves (like terrain from contours or a mesh from splines).

Steps:

1. Draw two sets of intersecting curves (U and V direction).
2. Activate Skinning → select all curves (order doesn’t matter).
3. Curviloft analyzes intersections and creates a surface.
4. Adjust settings:
   • Surface type (quad mesh, triangle mesh, smooth)
   • Boundary matching
5. Generate.

💡 Ideal for terrain modeling, car body panels, fabric draping.

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C. Skinning

This tool creates a surface over a network of crossing lines (a mesh of wires). It is essentially an automated "From Contours" tool but offers smoother interpolation and better topology management.

• Best Use Case: Creating terrain from a grid of lines or creating tensile fabric structures (like canopies or tents).

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