Curved Slope

The Curved Slope extension was designed to simplify the creation of a 3D model from a 2D vector drawing. When the ends of a 3D curve are not at the same height, this tool allows you to draw the curve with a regular slope between the two ends. This is a huge time saver compared to what would be required with SketchUp’s native tools to achieve the same result. The Curve Slope tool also allows you to smooth the slope of a curve already drawn in 3D. You can enter the height of the new line relative to the original line or an elevation. Three other options are available: Extrude Line, Duplicate Line, or Delete Original Line.

You can find the Curved Slope tool in SketchUp’s Tool menu.

Instructions:

1. Select the edges that form a continuous, unbroken curve. If edges are already selected, the Sloping Curve tool keeps them in the selection. However, if other objects are selected, such as groups, components, or faces, they will be deselected. It is also possible to select edges directly with the Curve Slope tool. Shift = Subtract, Ctrl = Add, Shift + Ctrl = Enhanced Selection. Enhanced selection with Shift + Ctrl automatically selects all edges touching the edge you click on and forming a continuous, unbroken curve. Press Enter to confirm the selection.

2. Select the options: Shift to select whether you want to enter an offset height or an altitude. Default = altitude. Ctrl to select between extrude curve, duplicate curve, or delete original curve. Default = duplicate curve.

3. Select the first endpoint of the curve by clicking on it. Then, enter the height or altitude for the first endpoint and confirm. (Write “=” to keep the same position.) Finally, enter the height or altitude for the second endpoint and confirm. (Write “=” to keep the same position.) Sélectionnez la première extrémité de la courbe en cliquant dessus. Saisissez ensuite la hauteur ou l'altitude de cette extrémité et confirmez. (Utilisez le signe « = » pour conserver la même position.) Enfin, saisissez la hauteur ou l'altitude de la seconde extrémité et confirmez. (Utilisez le signe « = » pour conserver la même position.)

Variations:

The Curve Slope tool detects if there is an object above the end of the curve. If so, the height of the object directly above it is displayed in the value entry box. Simply press Enter to validate this height.

Alternatively, when you move the cursor, a blue dot appears on the nearest vertex with its height displayed next to it. You can click on the vertex to validate this height.