Fredoscale Plugin Sketchup

The "Reverse Faces" Problem: SketchUp has an inside (white) and outside (blue/grey). Bending often reverses geometry. Solution: Before using FredoScale, go to View > Face Style > Monochrome. Ensure all exterior faces are white. After bending, if faces are blue, right-click and select Reverse Faces.

Subdivision Smoothing: If you bend a flat plane into a circle, it will look faceted. FredoScale works with low-poly geometry. To get a smooth bend, use the Subdivide tool (usually included with Fredo6 tools) or Artisan to add more geometry lines before bending.

The Undo Dilemma: In the free version, pressing Ctrl+Z might crash the current operation. Always use the plugin’s internal Cancel button (red cross) before applying the transformation. The Pro version integrates seamless Undo.

Need a classical column that gets thinner at the top? Use Tapering. Need a spiral staircase handrail? Use Twisting. These tools apply non-uniform scaling. Unlike the native scale tool (which only changes X/Y/Z uniformly), FredoScale lets you grab the top of a box and twist it 45 degrees while keeping the bottom perfectly square.

FredoScale is not free (usually around $15-20 USD via the SketchUcation store), but it is the best money you will spend after your initial SketchUp Pro license.

Installation Note: FredoScale requires two other libraries to work: LibFredo6 (the framework) and TT_Lib (Trimble Library). Don't skip these! The plugin will prompt you to install them automatically.

Essential plugin for any SketchUp user who needs organic or non‑linear transformations. It fills a major gap in native tools, and the free version (donation‑aware) is remarkably robust.

Note: FredoScale is free, but supporting Fredo6 via his website helps sustain development.

The FredoScale plugin for SketchUp is a comprehensive transformation suite developed by Fredo6 that significantly expands the native scaling capabilities of the software. While SketchUp’s built-in tool is limited to basic scaling and stretching along the model's axes, FredoScale allows users to orient scaling boxes freely and perform complex geometric deformations like twisting, bending, and tapering. Key Features and Tools

FredoScale provides a variety of tools that can be applied in three primary modes: Box, Target, and Free.

Scaling (Box & Target): Unlike the native tool, you can orient the selection box around objects regardless of the model’s axes. This is ideal for scaling objects that are already rotated in your scene. fredoscale plugin sketchup

Stretching: A "smart" scaling tool that allows you to stretch an object from the middle without deforming the edges (e.g., lengthening a window without widening the frame).

Twist: Rotates segments of an object along an axis to create spiral or helical shapes.

Radial Bend: Allows you to bend geometry along a curve, which is essential for creating arched structures or curved furniture.

Tapering: Scales just one edge or face of the scaling box to create slanted or tapered designs.

Planar Shear: Tilts an object by moving one plane of the scaling box while the opposite remains fixed. Installation and Pricing

FredoScale is a paid extension, typically costing around $12 to $15 for a perpetual license, or it can be purchased as part of a larger Fredo6 bundle on SketchUcation. FredoScale | SketchUcation

Master Your Models: The Ultimate Guide to FredoScale for SketchUp

If you’ve ever felt limited by SketchUp’s native Scale tool—struggling to stretch a window without distorting the frame or trying to twist a pillar only to find the basic tools can’t keep up—then FredoScale is the game-changer you need. Created by the legendary developer Fredo6, this extension is widely considered essential for professional 3D modeling. What is FredoScale?

At its core, FredoScale is a suite of advanced transformation tools that go far beyond basic uniform scaling. It allows you to orient the selection box around objects, perform non-destructive stretching, and apply complex deformations like twisting and tapering. Key Features You’ll Use Every Day:

Box Stretching: This is the "magic" tool. It allows you to stretch a component (like a table or a cabinet) from a specific plane, ensuring that the legs or frame maintain their original thickness while only the middle section expands. The "Reverse Faces" Problem: SketchUp has an inside

Box Twisting: Perfect for creating spiral staircases, ornamental columns, or organic shapes by rotating geometry along a specific axis.

Box Tapering: Smoothly narrows or widens an object from one end to the other, ideal for architectural details or product design.

Radial Bending: Bends a selection around a curved path, which is notoriously difficult to do with native tools.

Planar Shearing: Tilts your geometry at a specific angle relative to a plane. Why It Beats the Native Scale Tool

The standard SketchUp Scale tool (shortcut 'S') is great for simple tasks, but it lacks precision for complex geometry. FredoScale introduces:

Custom Alignment: You can orient your scaling box to any axis, not just the model axes. This means you can scale objects that are already rotated in 3D space without them "jumping" out of place.

Precision Input: By hitting the TAB key during an operation, you can bring up a dialog box to enter exact dimensions or even use mathematical formulas (e.g., adding "+20cm" to the current length).

Visual Feedback: The plugin provides a clear wireframe preview of the deformation before you commit, saving you from constant "Undo" loops. Installation & Requirements

FredoScale is available on the SketchUcation Plugin Store. It is now a paid extension (approximately $12 for a lifetime license) but offers a free trial period.

Important: To run FredoScale, you must also install LibFredo6, which is a shared library required for all of Fredo6's plugins to function. Download the RBZ files for both FredoScale and LibFredo6. In SketchUp, go to Window > Extension Manager. Click Install Extension and select the RBZ files. Restart SketchUp to ensure the toolbars appear correctly. Pro Tips for Smooth Modeling Note: FredoScale is free, but supporting Fredo6 via

Unlocking Efficient Modeling with the FredoScale Plugin for SketchUp

When it comes to 3D modeling, especially in architectural, interior design, and landscape architecture projects, precision and efficiency are paramount. SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software, offers a wide range of tools and plugins to enhance its functionality. Among these, the FredoScale plugin stands out as a game-changer for users looking to scale objects with precision and ease. In this article, we'll dive into the world of the FredoScale plugin for SketchUp, exploring its features, benefits, and how it can revolutionize your modeling workflow.

What is FredoScale?

FredoScale is a dynamic plugin designed for SketchUp that allows users to scale objects in a more intuitive and controlled manner. Developed by Fredo6, a well-known name in the SketchUp community for creating powerful and user-friendly plugins, FredoScale extends the native scaling capabilities of SketchUp. It offers a more flexible and precise scaling tool that can be indispensable for detailed and complex modeling tasks.

Key Features of FredoScale

Benefits of Using FredoScale

How to Get Started with FredoScale

Getting started with FredoScale is straightforward:

Conclusion

The FredoScale plugin for SketchUp is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your 3D modeling workflow. By offering more precise and flexible scaling options, it addresses some of the limitations of SketchUp's native scaling tools. Whether you're a professional architect, interior designer, or a hobbyist looking to improve your modeling skills, FredoScale can help you achieve your project goals more efficiently. As with any plugin, the key to maximizing its potential lies in experimentation and practice. So, download FredoScale today and discover a more streamlined and precise approach to scaling in SketchUp.

Enter Fredo Leroy, known in the SketchUp community simply as Fredo6. He wasn't an employee of SketchUp; he was a civil engineer and a virtuoso of Ruby scripting. He looked at the SketchUp interface and saw not limitations, but opportunities for surgery.

He didn't want to just add a button; he wanted to rewrite the laws of physics within the digital sandbox. Thus, FredoScale was born.