Most users searching for this term are looking for the popular RoundCorner extension by Fredo6. This tool allows you to round the edges and corners of 3D shapes along a 2D profile.
Paid Status: While previously free, RoundCorner and its successor, FredoCorner, are now paid extensions requiring a license from SketchUcation.
Dependencies: To function, it requires the installation of the LibFredo6 shared library and the SketchUcation ExtensionStore.
Official Download: You can download the legitimate version from the SketchUcation PluginStore. 2. Troubleshooting Geometry "Cracks" on Top Faces
If your model is literally "cracking" (showing broken or missing geometry) on the top surface after rounding, it is usually due to one of these common SketchUp issues:
Overlap Detection: The RoundCorner tool now includes a feature to detect overlaps. If the rounding radius is too large for the available face area, the geometry will "self-intersect," creating holes or "cracks".
Small Face Issue: SketchUp has a known limitation where it cannot create very small faces (less than ~1mm). When rounding small objects, the tool may fail to close the new geometry.
Fix: Scale your entire model up by 10x or 100x, perform the rounding, and then scale it back down.
Non-Orthogonal Faces: If the faces meeting at the corner are not perfectly 90 degrees, the tool may require more segments or triangulation to close the gap on the top face. 3. Free Alternatives (No "Crack" Needed) sketchup round corner crack top
Instead of searching for risky "cracked" software, you can use these free methods to achieve the same result:
Native Tools: Use the Follow Me tool by drawing an arc on one corner and "following" it around the top edge of your object.
Beveling Manually: Use the Tape Measure tool to create guides, draw your curves manually with the Arc tool, and use Push/Pull to trim the edges.
If your RoundCorner plugin is leaving "cracks" or broken geometry on the top face of your SketchUp model, it’s usually due to tiny geometry errors or a conflict with the rounding algorithm. Quick Fixes for "Cracked" Faces
Scale Up (The "Dave Method"): SketchUp often fails to create small faces (under ~1mm). Scale your entire model up by 10x or 100x, run the plugin, and then scale it back down.
Check Hidden Geometry: Go to View > Hidden Geometry. You may find that the "crack" is actually an unsoftened edge or a missing tiny triangle. Use the Line Tool to manually stitch the gap, then use the Eraser Tool + Ctrl to soften the new edge.
Clean Your Mesh: High edge density or "stray" lines on the top face can confuse the plugin. Use an extension like CleanUp³ or Curvizard to simplify the edges of your face before rounding.
Upgrade to FredoCorner: The original RoundCorner is older; Fredo6 released FredoCorner specifically to handle more complex geometry with a better algorithm that reduces face-cracking. Alternative Manual Method Most users searching for this term are looking
If the plugin continues to glitch, you can achieve a cleaner result manually: Draw a small arc on the corner of your face. Select the top face as your path. Choose the Follow Me tool and click the arched profile.
If you'd like, you can upload a screenshot of your model or describe the corner type (concave or convex) so I can give you more specific repair steps. Fredo6 Round Corner - Face becomes two tones - Extensions
To write a helpful essay or article for you, I need to know which topic you are referring to, as your request is slightly ambiguous. Could you please clarify if you mean: Digital 3D modeling:
Solving geometry tearing, missing faces, or visual "cracks" when using tools or plugins like RoundCorner Physical repairs:
Fixing a physical fracture or crack on the rounded corner of a countertop, table, or surface?
Please tell me which one you are looking for so I can provide the correct content! How To Round Edges In Sketchup
Based on your search, it sounds like you are looking for a review of the FredoScale RoundCorner plugin for SketchUp, specifically investigating a known issue where the geometry creates a "crack" or hole on the top surface after applying the rounding effect.
Here is a solid review of the plugin with a specific focus on that cracking issue, why it happens, and how to fix it. Part 5: Advanced Scripts & Alternatives If you
If you are a professional experiencing the SketchUp round corner crack top repeatedly, consider these tools:
Before running Round Corner:
Use Solid Inspector² (by ThomThom). Ensure your object is a solid group (no stray edges, no holes). A single internal line is the #1 cause of the crack top.
Before fixing the problem, you must understand it. The Round Corner plugin works by offsetting, extruding, and stitching geometry. When you apply a fillet to a hard edge, SketchUp’s geometry engine (based on polygons, not true NURBS curves) must triangulate complex intersections.
The "crack top" specifically occurs when the rounding algorithm fails to properly cap or weld the vertices on the uppermost horizontal plane. Instead of a continuous surface, you get:
This is most common when:
After investigating user reports and the tool's mechanics, the "crack" is usually caused by one of three specific failures:
1. The Intersection Failure (The most common cause) SketchUp’s geometry engine has a hard time calculating intersections when curves meet at complex corners. RoundCorner works by projecting arcs along edges. When three or more arcs meet at a corner, the plugin has to calculate a complex surface to close that corner.
2. Hidden Geometry Conflict SketchUp models often have "hidden geometry" or stray lines that users aren't aware of. If you try to round an edge that crosses a hidden intersection line, the plugin gets confused about where the surface stops and starts, leading to a tear in the mesh.
3. The "Too Large Radius" Error If you try to round a 10-inch wide box with a 6-inch radius fillet, the math demands a curve that physically overlaps itself. The plugin attempts to force it, often resulting in the top face collapsing or cracking open because there isn't enough physical space for the curve to exist.