Select all geometry, right-click, and choose or Make Component . FFD will not work on ungrouped raw geometry. Step 2: Generate the FFD Cage Right-click your new group.
Group your subdivided geometry. Step 2: Create the FFD Cage
The "NxN" option can automatically subdivide and "dice" a model to ensure smoother deformation.
: Allows you to lock specific edges so they remain unaffected while the rest of the mesh deforms. Pros & Cons
This variant utilizes Bezier mathematical formulas to calculate the deformation. Moving a control point with this option enabled creates a highly fluid, organic curve, making it perfect for soft-goods modeling, cushions, and organic architecture. Step-by-Step Workflow: Deforming Your First Mesh
⚠️ Avoid FFD from unknown 2013-era blogs – many have broken Ruby code on newer SketchUp versions.
A black bounding box dotted with small control points will wrap around your group. Step 3: Access the Control Points
: Ensure all faces and lines you want to deform are inside a single group or component. Activate the Cage : Right-click the group, navigate to the , and select your desired grid size (e.g., 3x3). Enter the Cage
Enter (Free Form Deformation). This classic, indispensable plugin introduces cage-based mesh manipulation to SketchUp, transforming a rigid geometry editor into a powerful fluid modeling sandbox.
The plugin creates a bounding box (lattice) around your selected object. You can choose grid densities:
In the world of 3D modeling, SketchUp is celebrated for its intuitive, straightforward approach to creating architectural forms. However, when it comes to designing complex, organic, or non-linear shapes, native SketchUp tools can sometimes feel limiting. Enter by Mind.Sight.Studios—a classic, free, and incredibly powerful plugin designed to bring advanced free-form deformation capabilities to your SketchUp workflow.
SketchUp is renowned for its intuitive, sharp-edged architectural modeling capabilities. However, when it comes to organic shapes, fluid curves, and complex tensile structures, the native toolset often falls short. This limitation is exactly where steps in.
stands for Free Form Deformation . Originally developed by the plugin author CPhillips , Sketchy FFD allows users to manipulate a mesh by controlling a lattice of control points. Instead of moving individual vertices or edges one by one, the user creates a "cage" around their object. By moving the points of this cage, the geometry inside deforms smoothly to match.
SketchyFFD (Classic) ... The classic free-form deformation plugin you know and love. Manipulate a mesh using control points. Extension Warehouse SketchyFFD (Classic) - SketchUp Extension Warehouse
Select your grouped object, then click one of the options on the SketchyFFD toolbar. You can choose a predefined grid size or customize your own: Best for simple tapers, twists, and basic scaling.
Select all geometry, right-click, and choose or Make Component . FFD will not work on ungrouped raw geometry. Step 2: Generate the FFD Cage Right-click your new group.
Group your subdivided geometry. Step 2: Create the FFD Cage
The "NxN" option can automatically subdivide and "dice" a model to ensure smoother deformation.
: Allows you to lock specific edges so they remain unaffected while the rest of the mesh deforms. Pros & Cons sketchy ffd sketchup plugin
This variant utilizes Bezier mathematical formulas to calculate the deformation. Moving a control point with this option enabled creates a highly fluid, organic curve, making it perfect for soft-goods modeling, cushions, and organic architecture. Step-by-Step Workflow: Deforming Your First Mesh
⚠️ Avoid FFD from unknown 2013-era blogs – many have broken Ruby code on newer SketchUp versions.
A black bounding box dotted with small control points will wrap around your group. Step 3: Access the Control Points Select all geometry, right-click, and choose or Make
: Ensure all faces and lines you want to deform are inside a single group or component. Activate the Cage : Right-click the group, navigate to the , and select your desired grid size (e.g., 3x3). Enter the Cage
Enter (Free Form Deformation). This classic, indispensable plugin introduces cage-based mesh manipulation to SketchUp, transforming a rigid geometry editor into a powerful fluid modeling sandbox.
The plugin creates a bounding box (lattice) around your selected object. You can choose grid densities: Group your subdivided geometry
In the world of 3D modeling, SketchUp is celebrated for its intuitive, straightforward approach to creating architectural forms. However, when it comes to designing complex, organic, or non-linear shapes, native SketchUp tools can sometimes feel limiting. Enter by Mind.Sight.Studios—a classic, free, and incredibly powerful plugin designed to bring advanced free-form deformation capabilities to your SketchUp workflow.
SketchUp is renowned for its intuitive, sharp-edged architectural modeling capabilities. However, when it comes to organic shapes, fluid curves, and complex tensile structures, the native toolset often falls short. This limitation is exactly where steps in.
stands for Free Form Deformation . Originally developed by the plugin author CPhillips , Sketchy FFD allows users to manipulate a mesh by controlling a lattice of control points. Instead of moving individual vertices or edges one by one, the user creates a "cage" around their object. By moving the points of this cage, the geometry inside deforms smoothly to match.
SketchyFFD (Classic) ... The classic free-form deformation plugin you know and love. Manipulate a mesh using control points. Extension Warehouse SketchyFFD (Classic) - SketchUp Extension Warehouse
Select your grouped object, then click one of the options on the SketchyFFD toolbar. You can choose a predefined grid size or customize your own: Best for simple tapers, twists, and basic scaling.