Joint Push Pull Interactive Free |verified|
Joint Push Pull Interactive is a powerful suite of extrusion tools for SketchUp, developed by
. It overcomes the limitations of SketchUp's native Push/Pull tool by allowing you to extrude multiple faces simultaneously or handle complex, curved surfaces that would normally be impossible to thicken or offset. Key Features of the Interactive Edition Multiple Face Extrusion
: Select and push/pull several faces at once, even across different groups or components. Curved Surface Support
: Automatically merges individual flat faces into a single smooth extrusion, making it ideal for thickening organic or rounded shapes. Visual Dragging
: Interactively drag faces to the desired offset with real-time visual feedback. Specialized Tools Joint Push Pull
: Offsets faces along their average normal direction to maintain a connected surface. Vector Push Pull : Extrudes faces in a specific user-defined direction. Normal Push Pull
: Similar to the native tool but works on multiple selections. Round Push Pull
: Extrudes surfaces while automatically rounding the resulting edges. Pricing and Availability While older versions were originally free, Joint Push Pull Interactive paid extension
Joint Push Pull - SketchUp Plugins | PluginStore | SketchUcation
Joint Push Pull Interactive is a widely acclaimed SketchUp extension developed by Fredo6 that overcomes the native tool's inability to extrude multiple or curved surfaces . While historically free, it has transitioned to a paid model (approximately $15) and requires the free LibFredo6 library to function . Key Features joint push pull interactive free
Advanced Extrusion Methods: Includes tools like Normal Push Pull (multiple faces at once), Joint Push Pull (curved surfaces), and Vector Push Pull (extrusion along a specific direction) .
Interactive Interface: The "Interactive" version features a visual "drag-to-offset" mode and a palette-based interface that allows users to toggle options like thickening and tapering .
Surface Preservation: Newer versions (v4.7+) are designed to preserve special curves like circles and polygons during extrusion whenever possible .
Thickening: Easily adds thickness to single-face curved objects, essentially turning shells into 3D volumes . Critical Reception
Reviewers and users from platforms like SketchUpEssentials and SketchUcation generally praise the tool for its essential utility. The ULTIMATE Guide to Joint Push Pull for SketchUp in 2025!
Joint Push Pull Interactive is a powerful extension suite for SketchUp, developed by Fredo6, that expands the native face extrusion functions. While traditionally known as a free plugin, recent versions have transitioned to a paid model (approximately $15 for a perpetual license), though a 30-day free trial remains available for new users. Core Capabilities
Extrude Curved Surfaces: Unlike SketchUp’s native Push/Pull tool, this extension allows you to extrude curved or smoothed surfaces by automatically filling in the joints between the individual flat faces that make up the curve.
Multiple Face Extrusion: You can select and extrude multiple disconnected or adjacent faces simultaneously, maintaining consistent offsets across all of them.
Thicken Objects: This feature allows you to add uniform thickness to a surface, effectively turning thin planes into solid 3D volumes. Joint Push Pull Interactive is a powerful suite
Interactive Dragging: In the "Interactive Edition," you can visually drag faces to your desired offset, seeing the 3D geometry update in real-time before finalizing. Specialized Tool Suite
The extension includes several distinct tools designed for different modeling scenarios:
Normal Push Pull: Similar to the native tool but works on multiple faces at once.
Joint Push Pull: The flagship tool for thickening curved surfaces smoothly.
Vector Push Pull: Allows you to extrude faces in a specific direction or along a set axis, which is useful for flattening terrains.
Round Push Pull: Extrudes surfaces while automatically rounding the joints/corners for a beveled finish. Installation Requirements Joint Push Pull Interactive
. It overcomes the limitations of SketchUp’s native Push/Pull tool by allowing users to extrude multiple faces simultaneously, including complex curved surfaces. Status and Licensing (Free vs. Paid)
While the plugin was historically free for over a decade, it transitioned to a paid model in early 2022. SketchUcation 30-Day Free Trial : A fully functional 30-day trial period is available for new users. Perpetual License : Individual licenses typically cost around Fredo6 Bundle
: The plugin is also available as part of a bundle (including tools like RoundCorner ) for approximately , which is often cited as the best value. Legacy Free Versions Start the JointPushPull operation on a flat or curved face
: Some users attempt to find older, free versions (v2.0b or earlier), but these often lack compatibility with modern versions of SketchUp and the required libraries. Key Technical Capabilities Description Joint Push Pull
Extrudes multiple faces together while maintaining their connectivity, ideal for thickening curved surfaces. Vector Push Pull
Extrudes faces along a specific direction or vector rather than their individual face normals. Normal Push Pull Pushes or pulls faces along their individual axes. Interactive Mode
Provides real-time visual feedback and on-screen controls to adjust extrusion distance dynamically. Installation Requirements Joint Push Pull with Pro 2020 - Extensions - SketchUp Forum
Exercise 2: Interactive Modifiers (The "Interactive" Part)
This is where the tool shines. Instead of just moving up and down, you can manipulate the shape while extruding.
- Start the JointPushPull operation on a flat or curved face.
- Look at the "VCB" (Measurements Box): You will see dimensions and angles.
- Modifier Keys: Hold down specific keys while dragging to change behavior:
- Shift: Toggles "Lock Altitude" or constrains the extrusion.
- Ctrl (Windows) / Option (Mac): This usually activates the Taper function.
- Try it: Start pulling a face. Hold Ctrl. Move your mouse left or right. The extrusion will taper (get smaller or larger) as you pull it up.
- Alt: Activates Rotation.
- Try it: Start pulling a face. Hold Alt. Move your mouse. The extrusion will twist around the normal axis.
Exercise 3: Handling Multiple Faces
- Create a box.
- Use the Pencil tool to draw a line across the top face, dividing it into two rectangles.
- Activate JointPushPull.
- Click on one of the faces and pull it up.
- Because it is a "Joint" tool, it attempts to keep the topology connected, but it will treat separate faces as separate unless grouped.
- Pro Tip: Select multiple faces first with the Selection Arrow, then activate JointPushPull. It will attempt to extrude the selection as a unified group of faces.
The "Free" Context
There are two aspects to "Free" in this context:
- The Software: Using this with SketchUp Free (the web-based version).
- The Plugin: Fredo6 plugins have historically been free, though they now require a license for SketchUp Pro. However, a Free License is available for Personal/Educational use, or you can run it in trial mode.
5. The "Interactive" Palette Options
When you launch the tool, you usually see an interactive palette on the screen (or accessible by right-clicking). Here are the key free-use features:
- Altitude Control: Controls how high the pull goes.
- Taper Angle: You can manually type an angle (e.g.,
15) to taper the walls inward. - Twist Angle: Rotate the top face relative to the bottom face.
Example Workflow for a Pyramid:
- Create a circle.
- Activate JointPushPull.
- Pull the circle up slightly.
- Hold Ctrl to engage Taper.
- Drag the mouse inward until the top point meets.
- You have created a smooth cone/pyramid in one interactive motion.