Fredoscale Plugin Sketchup May 2026

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.

Today, FredoScale is often considered "warez"—vintage, essential software. While SketchUp has added features like "Solid Tools" over the years, the fluid, intuitive control of FredoScale remains unmatched for certain manipulations.

The story of FredoScale is a reminder that in the world of digital design, the most important innovations don't always come from the software developers themselves. Sometimes, they come from a community member who looks at a box and realizes that it doesn't have to stay a box.

It taught a generation of modelers that geometry isn't a static cage—it is a fluid, malleable thing, waiting for the right hands to twist it into shape.

FredoScale is a versatile SketchUp extension by developer Fredo6 that significantly expands the native Scale tool's capabilities. It allows for complex geometric transformations like stretching, twisting, and bending while keeping precise control over the orientation of the selection box. Key Features and Tools

The extension provides a specialized suite of interactive tools: Box Scaling

: Allows scaling of objects relative to a customized selection box that can be aligned to any orientation, unlike the standard SketchUp scale tool which is fixed to model or component axes. Box Stretching

: Enables stretching of objects without distorting specific parts. It uses a "divider" to define which area of the geometry should be stretched, preserving the proportions of the rest. Box Twisting

: Rotates a selection around an axis, creating a "twist" effect. This is commonly used for complex modeling like creating ropes or decorative architectural elements. Box Bending

: Bends geometry along a curved path. It includes a "slicer" feature to manage how the mesh deforms during the bend. Radial Bending

: A tool for bending a model radially with a single click, useful for curved facades or store exteriors. Box Tapering

: Scales one end of a selection differently than the other to create tapered shapes. Planar Shearing : Tilts or slants a selection along a specific plane. Installation and Requirements

To function correctly, FredoScale has specific dependencies: The ULTIMATE GUIDE to FredoScale for SketchUp!

Introduction

FredoScale is a popular plugin for SketchUp that allows users to easily scale and manipulate objects within their 3D models. Developed by Fredo6, a well-known name in the SketchUp community, FredoScale has become a go-to tool for architects, interior designers, engineers, and anyone working with 3D models.

Key Features

Benefits

Common Use Cases

Conclusion

FredoScale is a powerful and intuitive plugin for SketchUp that simplifies the scaling and manipulation of objects within 3D models. Its ease of use, accuracy, and time-saving features make it an essential tool for professionals and hobbyists working with 3D models. If you're a SketchUp user looking to streamline your workflow and improve your productivity, FredoScale is definitely worth exploring.

FredoScale is a must-have extension by Fredo6 that supercharges SketchUp’s native scale tool with advanced geometric transformations like stretching, twisting, and tapering. 1. Installation Essentials

To get FredoScale running, you must install two separate components from SketchUcation:

LibFredo6: The shared library required for all Fredo6 plugins to function. FredoScale Plugin: The actual toolset.

Note: Both require a free SketchUcation account to download. Once installed via the Extension Manager, you can find the tools under Tools > Fredo6 Collection > FredoScale. 2. Key Tools & Features

FredoScale provides a toolbar with several specialized modes. Here are the most useful ones:

Box Stretching: Scales objects while keeping specific parts (like the thickness of a table leg) undistorted. You can define a "plane" that limits where the stretching occurs.

Box Twisting: Rotates a selection along an axis while creating a smooth spiral effect.

Box Tapering: Gradually scales one end of an object smaller or larger than the other, perfect for creating organic or architectural forms.

Box Scaling to Target: Allows you to scale an object precisely to a specific point or guideline in your model. 3. Pro Tips for Better Workflow

The VCB (Value Control Box): Just like SketchUp’s native tools, you can type exact dimensions or angles into the bottom-right box while a tool is active to get perfect precision.

Orientation: If your selection’s bounding box is misaligned, right-click while using any FredoScale tool and select "Set Orientation" to align the transformation to a specific face or edge. fredoscale plugin sketchup

Quick Launcher: If you have many plugins, use the FredoTools Quick Launcher to find and start FredoScale tools by name. 4. When to Use FredoScale vs. Native Scale SketchUp: Making and using guides

FredoScale is widely regarded as an essential "power tool" for SketchUp, drastically expanding the capabilities of the native Scale tool. While SketchUp’s built-in scaling is limited to the red, green, and blue axes, FredoScale allows for transformations regardless of an object's orientation. Key Features

Box Stretching: Resizes an object without distorting critical details like edge bevels or specific components (e.g., widening a table without thickening the legs).

Multi-Axis Transformations: Beyond standard scaling, it provides tools for Tapering, Planar Shearing, Twisting, and Radial Bending.

Orientation Flexibility: You can re-orient the scaling box to match any face or edge in your model, which is a major advantage for complex or rotated geometry.

Target Mode: Allows you to scale objects by visually matching an origin point to a specific target point in your model. Pros and Cons FredoScale | SketchUcation

FredoScale is a professional-grade extension developed by Fredo6, a French developer revered in the SketchUp community (known for other hits like LibFredo6, RoundCorner, and TopoShaper). Unlike the native "Scale" tool which applies uniform or stretching transformations along global axes, FredoScale provides non-destructive, radial, and bending transformations.

Key Capabilities:

Start with a simple cube. Apply Radial Bend to it. Then apply Twist. Once you see how stable the geometry stays, you’ll never look at the native scale tool the same way again.

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.

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. Need a classical column that gets thinner at the top

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

Here’s a concise write-up on the FredoScale plugin for SketchUp:

Let’s be honest: Standard SketchUp is incredible for boxy architecture, but the moment you need a curved ramp, a twisted spire, or a bulging facade, you hit a wall. You spend hours stitching together lines and pushing/pulling faces.

Enter FredoScale (by Fredo6). This isn’t just a scaling tool—it’s a complete transformation suite.

If you want to bend, twist, stretch, or taper your geometry without breaking it, here is why FredoScale deserves a permanent spot in your toolbar.

This is the reason most people buy the fredoscale plugin sketchup. Radial Bend wraps an object around an axis.

This feels like the native Move tool on steroids. You select a portion of a group and pull it. FredoScale stretches the selected area but smooths the transition zone.