TrueBend SketchUp Plugin – Free Download & Complete Guide
TrueBend for SketchUp is a free bending extension developed by ThomThom. It bends selected groups and components by a precise angle or radius while preserving the original length of the geometry. Whether you search for True Bend plugin, TrueBend plugin, or True Bend SketchUp plugin, this guide explains what it does, how to use it, and where to download it safely.
TrueBend is especially useful for curved furniture, railings, façade elements, trims, signs, rings, and other models that need controlled deformation. For accurate results, prepare the object as a clean group or component and enter the required bend value in SketchUp's Measurements box.
Download TrueBend from the official SketchUp Extension Warehouse. If you need help installing the RBZ file, follow our SketchUp plugin installation guide.
Free Nice Tower Alternative
Try NT Axis Bend – Built by Nice Tower
Want an axis-focused bending workflow with interactive control? NT Axis Bend is our free SketchUp bending plugin for deforming grouped geometry around a selected axis. It is designed for furniture, profiles, panels, architectural details, and curved components—with a dedicated guide, demonstrations, and a free RBZ installer.
Explore NT Axis Bend & Download FreeWhat Does the TrueBend Plugin Do?
TrueBend transforms a straight SketchUp instance into a controlled circular bend. You can drag interactively or enter an exact angle in the Measurements box. The extension preserves the source length as it creates the bend, helping produce predictable curved forms without rotating many segments manually.
You can also adjust segmentation by appending s to a value and toggle soft/smooth edges for the newly created geometry. Typical uses include curved beams, handrails, furniture parts, façade details, decorative patterns, rings, and product-design components.
Main Features
1. Controlled Bending by Angle
You can specify the exact angle for the bend, which is perfect for engineering-style or repeatable designs. This level of control helps when multiple parts must align correctly in the final model.
2. Radius-Based Deformation
The plugin uses a radius value to determine how tight or wide the curve will be. This makes it easy to experiment with different design options while keeping your original object as a reference.
3. Clean Geometry Output
The resulting geometry is clean and usable. Faces and edges stay well distributed, which avoids messy meshes and reduces the need for manual cleanup.
4. Supports Complex Shapes
You can bend groups or components that contain detailed geometry. This is useful for furniture profiles, metal parts, layered objects, and more advanced models.
5. Beginner-Friendly Workflow
The interface is simple, and the steps are straightforward, so even new SketchUp users can start using the plugin without a long learning curve.
How to Use the Plugin
Here is a basic workflow to use this extension effectively:
- Model or select the straight object you want to bend.
- Make sure it is grouped or made into a component.
- Activate the True Bend tool from your plugin toolbar.
- Define the bend center and set the angle or radius.
- Preview the bend and adjust if needed.
- Apply the operation to finalize the bent shape.
After the bend is applied, you can copy the object, mirror it, or combine it with other modeling tools to build more complex structures.
If you want to improve your workflow further, you can explore our online SketchUp courses for more practical training and advanced modeling techniques.
Real-World Use Cases
In real projects, designers use this plugin for curved stair rails, balcony edges, round furniture elements, custom signage, and bent metal or wood parts. It is especially popular among architects who design dynamic building skins and among product designers who need smooth bends without switching to other 3D software. Because it works directly inside SketchUp, you can keep your workflow simple and fast.
The tool also works well for 3D printing preparation. You can design straight profiles first, verify dimensions, and then bend them at the final stage, keeping better control over accuracy and tolerances.
TrueBend Plugin Preview
TrueBend FAQ
Is the TrueBend SketchUp plugin free?
Yes. TrueBend is a free, open-source SketchUp extension developed by ThomThom. The official source code is available under the MIT License, and the extension can be downloaded from the SketchUp Extension Warehouse.
Where can I download TrueBend safely?
Use the official TrueBend Extension Warehouse page. Avoid unofficial files when an official source is available.
What is the difference between TrueBend and NT Axis Bend?
TrueBend focuses on bending an instance while preserving its original length and supports precise angle-based input. NT Axis Bend is Nice Tower's free alternative, built around an interactive axis-selection workflow. The best choice depends on how you prefer to define and control the bend.
Which projects benefit most?
TrueBend is useful for curved handrails, furniture, façade elements, trims, signs, rings, product components, and other objects that need a controlled circular bend.
Can I edit the result after bending?
Yes. The result remains SketchUp geometry. Keep a copy of the original component before applying complex deformation so you can return to the straight source when needed.
Useful Resources
Explore our free SketchUp plugins collection, or follow the SketchUp plugin installation guide.