AI for Architecture | Architecture | Interior | Revit | Space design

SketchUp – Curved Wall Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide to Create Organic Designs

Introduction – When Geometry Flows in Design

In modern architecture and interior design, curved walls bring an undeniable sense of motion and fluidity to space. They break away from the rigidity of straight lines and create softer, more organic transitions. But if you’ve ever tried designing a curved wall in SketchUp, you know it’s not as straightforward as drawing a line and bending it.

SketchUp, by default, works with edges and faces—geometries that are mostly flat and straight. Yet, with a few powerful extensions and a clear understanding of the basics, you can model stunning curved walls with professional precision. This tutorial walks you through every step of creating a curved wall in SketchUp using native tools and plugins like TrueBend and Lattice Maker.

Whether you’re an architecture student, interior designer, or hobbyist exploring 3D modeling, this guide will help you understand not just how to make a curved wall, but also why this form adds emotion, depth, and energy to a design.

Understanding Curves in SketchUp

Before we dive into modeling, it’s important to understand how SketchUp handles geometry. Unlike other 3D software that deals with true NURBS or curved surfaces, SketchUp represents curves as a series of short, straight edges. This is why even a circle in SketchUp is actually a polygon made up of multiple segments.

However, these segments can be adjusted to appear smooth, allowing the illusion of a continuous curve. When you combine this with plugins like TrueBend, you can bend solid geometry to form realistic curves. In architectural modeling, this opens up creative possibilities — from curved facades and staircases to flowing partitions and organic installations.

Curves in SketchUp are not only about shape — they’re about the experience. A curved wall leads the eye gently, guides movement, and helps define areas without harsh divisions.

Step 1: Setting the Base Plane

Every SketchUp project begins with a foundation. Start by creating a rectangular plane using the Rectangle Tool (R). This base defines the footprint of your wall — its length and width.

Curved Wall

Steps to create curved wall using SketchUP

Create a Rectangular plane

Type exact dimensions in the measurement box to maintain precision. For instance, a 20’ x 4’ rectangle makes a good base for demonstration. Make sure to keep the plane flat on the ground (red-green axis). This rectangle acts as the wall’s footprint, determining how the curve will flow later.

If your design includes flooring or context geometry, keep this base grouped separately. Organized modeling ensures cleaner workflows, especially when bending geometry later on.

Step 2: Drawing the Curved Profile

Now, let’s define the curve. Select the Arc Tool (A) and draw an arc that represents the wall’s curvature. To keep the curve proportionate, start from one corner of your base rectangle and end on the opposite side. Adjust the bulge (depth of the curve) based on your design preference.

Arc to create a curved profile

Once the arc is ready, use the Offset Tool (F) to create wall thickness — for example, 6 inches or 1 foot depending on your scale. Connect the ends of both arcs to close the shape. You now have a clean, enclosed curved surface ready to become a 3D wall.

Offset to desired distance for example 1'

Arched profile is created

Move the profile created along the axis

- Select the face to move press Ctrl and move the profile.

A void space is created

This step is key to maintaining accuracy later during extrusion. Think of this curve as your wall’s blueprint — every change in proportion will alter the final bend.

Step 3: Extruding the Wall

Use the Push/Pull Tool (P) to extrude your wall upwards. Drag the curved surface vertically to your desired height — for example, 10 feet for an interior wall or 15 feet for an exterior feature.

Extrude the wall

You’ll now see your wall taking shape. Even though it appears curved, remember that SketchUp’s geometry is still made up of small, straight facets. At this point, right-click and make it a group. This step prevents the geometry from merging with other elements in your scene.

Select elements right click to the Convert it into a group.

Grouping is a golden rule in SketchUp modeling — it helps keep everything editable without distortions.

Step 4: Creating Panel Divisions

Curved walls often feature panels, glass segments, or modular divisions for both aesthetics and structure. Use guide lines (Tape Measure Tool) or the Divide feature to split the wall surface into equal vertical or horizontal sections.

Now divide the profile equally to create panel divisions

These divisions will help you apply materials, openings, or glass panels later. If you’re designing a curved glass facade, consistent divisions create rhythm and light balance.

Precision is crucial here. Designers often forget that unequal divisions distort reflections and alignment when rendering.

Step 5: Adding Glass Panels Using Lattice Maker

Now comes the fun part — detailing the wall surface. Go to Extensions → Lattice Maker (install it from Extension Warehouse if not already). Select the wall face or subdivided panels and open the plugin.

Use Lattice maker to create glass panel

Under Extension - Lattice maker

You’ll get several input options:

Grid thickness
Frame depth
Spacing
Profile type

In Lattice properties set in the data's.

Set these values depending on your wall’s scale. For example, a grid thickness of 2” and frame depth of 6” works beautifully for glass partitions. Once applied, the plugin automatically creates a lattice or panelized pattern across the selected surface.

Move the lattice created to the wall.

This instantly transforms your simple curved wall into a realistic architectural element.

Step 6: Grouping and Organizing the Elements

Once your lattice or frame structure is complete, group it separately from the wall. Then, group both the wall and lattice together into a single parent group.

Select the wall and window panel created and make it as a group

This hierarchical grouping is not just about organization — it ensures the TrueBend plugin can bend all components together without breaking geometry links.

If you plan to use materials like glass, metal, or concrete, you can assign them to separate layers for quick visibility control later.

Install TrueBend from the SketchUp extension warehouse.

Step 7: Using TrueBend to Curve the Wall

Select the wall to bent and click TrueBend

With everything grouped, it’s time to bend! Go to Extensions → TrueBend.

Here’s how it works:

Select the grouped geometry (wall + lattice).
Activate TrueBend.
Specify the bend angle — say 90° or 120° depending on your desired curve.
Choose the bend axis — typically along the red or green axis for walls.

Click Apply, and watch your wall gracefully curve into shape.

Can add in desired angle to the bend in the angle command prompt.

TrueBend deforms geometry by rotating small edges incrementally, simulating a true curve. The higher your arc segments, the smoother your bend appears.

The wall with fixed glass window is bent to the angle 60 degree.

Step 8: Refining and Perfecting the Model

After bending, orbit around the model and check for distortions or stretched textures. Minor imperfections are normal since TrueBend simulates bending through edge rotation.

Use Soften Edges under the “Window → Soften Edges” menu to smooth the transitions and remove visible facets. Adjust materials or reapply textures if necessary.

A well-finished curved wall should feel seamless from all viewpoints — soft edges, smooth reflections, and balanced proportion.

Step 9: Real-World Use Cases for Curved Walls

Curved walls aren’t just aesthetic — they solve spatial and experiential design needs. In architecture, they help direct movement, define zones, and improve acoustics. In interiors, they add softness to rigid layouts and become statement features.

SketchUp’s flexibility allows designers to visualize how light behaves on curves — perfect for projects like art galleries, retail spaces, or organic furniture layouts.

In commercial design, curved partitions create flow and human-centric movement paths. In residential settings, they add warmth and continuity, breaking visual monotony.

Step 10: Rendering Your Curved Wall

Once your geometry is clean and curved, bring it to life with rendering tools like V-Ray, Enscape, or Twinmotion.

Assign materials carefully — reflective glass, brushed metal, or textured concrete highlight curvature. Adjust lighting angles to reveal soft gradients across the surface.

Render engines interpret curved geometry beautifully when edges are smoothed and segments are refined. Always ensure your scene scale and sun position are accurate for photorealistic results.

Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Forgetting to Group Geometry:
Always group before bending. Without grouping, neighboring surfaces deform unpredictably.
Low Segment Count:
Fewer arc segments = blocky curvature. Increase segments to 36 or more for smoother results.
Unaligned Axis:
Double-check the bend direction before applying TrueBend. Wrong axes can twist the wall.
Lattice Misalignment:
Bend both wall and lattice together; bending them separately creates misfit joints.

Advanced Tips for Designers

If you’re exploring more advanced workflows, try combining SketchUp’s native Follow Me tool with TrueBend. The Follow Me tool helps you extrude along complex curves, while TrueBend allows you to fine-tune shapes post-modeling.

Use Projected Textures for smooth mapping on curved surfaces. Experiment with reflective materials and curved shadows during rendering to emphasize form.

For professional projects, save curved wall setups as reusable components in your SketchUp library — ideal for quick conceptual layouts or interior partitions.

Bringing It All Together – Design That Feels Alive

Creating a curved wall in SketchUp is more than a technical skill; it’s about reintroducing flow and emotion into digital design. When you blend straight lines with gentle arcs, your model starts to breathe — light moves differently, and space feels more human.

With tools like TrueBend and Lattice Maker, what once felt complex becomes intuitive. Even as beginners, you can craft shapes that echo the principles of organic architecture — movement, harmony, and fluidity.

SketchUp’s simplicity doesn’t limit creativity; it empowers it. With the right mindset and technique, even a digital model can convey softness, rhythm, and life.

FAQs

1. How can I make a curved wall in SketchUp without plugins?
You can use the “Follow Me” tool to extrude along a curved path, but it’s less flexible. Plugins like TrueBend give more control and smoother results.

2. What is the best segment count for smooth curves?
Use at least 24–36 segments for mild curves and up to 60 for large, smooth bends.

3. How do I prevent texture distortion after bending?
Group geometry before bending and reapply textures afterward using projected mapping.

4. Can I render curved walls in V-Ray or Enscape?
Yes. Both renderers interpret curves well if edges are softened and materials are applied carefully.

5. What’s the easiest way to create glass partitions in curved walls?
Use Lattice Maker to generate a glass grid and bend it simultaneously with TrueBend.

Conclusion – From Straight Lines to Smooth Design

Curved walls redefine how we perceive and experience space. They bring flow, softness, and elegance — qualities that modern design often seeks to revive. In SketchUp, mastering curved geometry teaches more than modeling; it teaches spatial intuition.

By combining native tools with intelligent plugins, you can move beyond rigid forms and model spaces that inspire comfort and creativity. Whether it’s a curved partition in an office, a sculptural feature in a home, or an organic facade, SketchUp gives you the flexibility to bring your ideas to life — curve by curve.