Master Curved Geometry: The Ultimate Guide to Joint Push Pull for SketchUp 2021
SketchUp’s native Push/Pull tool is a staple for 3D modeling, but it has one major limitation: it can’t handle curved surfaces. If you've ever tried to thicken a dome or extrude a complex organic shape only to hit a "Cannot push/pull curved or smoothed surfaces" error, you need Joint Push Pull Developed by legendary plugin creator
, this extension is an essential upgrade for any SketchUp 2021 user. Key Features: Beyond the Standard Extrusion
Joint Push Pull is actually a suite of tools, each designed for specific geometric challenges: Joint Push Pull
: The flagship tool. It extrudes multiple faces simultaneously while automatically filling the "joints" between them, making it perfect for thickening curved shapes. Vector Push Pull
: Extrudes faces along a specific direction (vector) rather than just perpendicular to the face. This is ideal for flattening terrains or creating angled extrusions. Normal Push Pull
: Functions like the native tool but allows you to push/pull multiple disconnected faces at once. Round Push Pull
: Extrudes faces while rounding the edges of the resulting geometry, similar to the "RoundCorner" plugin. Extrude Push Pull
: Designed to extrude multiple faces while maintaining a clean, joined result without creating internal overlapping geometry. How to Install for SketchUp 2021 Joint Push Pull Sketchup 2021
To get Joint Push Pull running in SketchUp 2021, you must follow a specific installation sequence, as the plugin relies on shared libraries. Download LibFredo6
: This is the shared library required for all of Fredo6's plugins. You can find the latest version on the SketchUcation PluginStore Download Joint Push Pull : Get the RBZ file from the official Joint Push Pull Interactive page Install via Extension Manager In SketchUp 2021, go to Extensions > Extension Manager Install Extension and select the LibFredo6.rbz Repeat the process for the JointPushPull.rbz Restart SketchUp
: This is a critical step to ensure the toolbars and menus load correctly. Licensing & Pricing As of recent updates, Joint Push Pull is a paid extension
Here’s a structured outline for a solid academic or technical paper on “Joint Push Pull in SketchUp 2021” — including title suggestions, abstract, key sections, and relevant technical details.
Joint Push Pull by Fredo6 remains an essential extension for SketchUp 2021, effectively solving one of the software's most persistent limitations: the inability to extrude curved or multiple surfaces simultaneously Core Functionality
The extension provides a suite of tools that expand upon the native Push/Pull tool by allowing users to: Thicken Curved Surfaces
: Unlike the standard tool, which only works on flat faces, Joint Push Pull can extrude surfaces made of multiple connected faces, like cylinders or organic shapes. Multiple Face Extrusion
: You can select several faces at once and extrude them in a single operation, maintaining their relative orientation. Vector & Normal Modes : It offers specialized modes like Vector Push Pull (extruding along a specific axis) and Normal Push Pull (extruding faces based on their individual orientations). Key Features for SketchUp 2021 Interactive Interface Master Curved Geometry: The Ultimate Guide to Joint
: Modern versions include a button palette and a settings panel that allows for precise, real-time input of thickness and offset values. Thickening & Molding
: It can generate thickness for thin surfaces (thicken) or create tapered extrusions for 3D modeling tasks like creating 3D letters (molding). Automation
: Features like "Auto Weld" help preserve the geometry of circles and arcs when extruding, which is crucial for maintaining clean models. Licensing and Installation
8 SECRET FUNCTIONS of the SketchUp Joint Push Pull Extension!
SketchUp 2021 Joint Push Pull extension (by Fredo6) is a vital tool for extruding multiple or curved surfaces that the native SketchUp Push/Pull tool cannot handle. Key Features of Joint Push Pull
The extension includes several specialized "modes" to handle different geometric challenges: Joint Push Pull (J icon)
: The primary tool for extruding multiple or curved faces simultaneously while automatically filling the "joints" between them. Vector Push Pull
: Extrudes faces along a specific direction (vector), regardless of their original orientation. Normal Push Pull Icon : Blue face with orange arrow
: Acts like the native tool but allows for multiple face selection at once. Extrude Push Pull
: Extrudes faces along an average direction while maintaining joint connectivity. Round Push Pull
: Extrudes multiple faces and automatically rounds the edges between them. Follow Push Pull : Extrudes faces along the edges of the adjacent geometry. The SketchUp Essentials Requirements & Installation
To use this extension in SketchUp 2021, you must install the following from SketchUcation : The foundational library required for all Fredo6 plugins. SketchUcation ExtensionStore
: Necessary for managing licenses and keeping the tools updated. SketchUp Community Joint Push Pull Not showing - Pro - SketchUp Community
Here’s an interesting, engaging description for Joint Push Pull in SketchUp 2021, suitable for a blog, tutorial, or plugin overview:
After installation, the toolbar appears by default. If not:
Extensions > Fredo6 Collection > Joint Push Pull.Troubleshooting for 2021: If the toolbar is greyed out, ensure you have not installed a 32-bit only version on a 64-bit machine. SketchUp 2021 is strictly 64-bit.
| Extension | Integration Tip |
|-----------|----------------|
| Curviloft | Use JPP after skinning with Curviloft to give thickness to complex lofts. |
| Artisan / SubD | Subdivide mesh, then JPP for smooth organic shells. |
| SketchUp STL | After Thickness mode, export directly for 3D printing. |
| Solid Inspector² | Validate JPP’s solid output before fabrication. |