You’ve probably tried to draw a line or shape on a curved surface in SketchUp — and instantly realized it’s impossible. SketchUp looks at your beautiful curved face and says, “Sorry, I only work on flat stuff.”
That’s when Fredo6’s Tools On Surface plugin comes in to save the day. This plugin turns SketchUp into what it was always meant to be — a true 3D modeler that actually lets you draw on 3D geometry.
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| Tools on Surface Toolbar |
What is Tools On Surface?
Tools On Surface is a plugin by the legendary Fredo6 (same creator behind RoundCorner, JointPushPull, and Curviloft). It lets you use SketchUp’s normal drawing tools — like Line, Arc, Circle, and Offset — directly on curved faces. Simple idea, huge impact.
- ✔️ Draw lines, arcs, and shapes that follow curved surfaces
- ✔️ Move geometry along curved faces — not through them
- ✔️ Offset curves perfectly around cylinders or domes
- ✔️ Project complex shapes or text onto a 3D surface
It’s one of those plugins that makes you ask: why isn’t this built into SketchUp already?
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| Sketchup Tools on Surface Plugin |
The Love Story (Google’s Favorite Part 😅)
Here’s how it usually happens: you’re modeling something curved — maybe a bottle, a car fender, or a roof. SketchUp refuses to cooperate because the face isn’t “planar.” Then you discover Tools On Surface, install it, and everything suddenly feels smooth again.
Older versions of the plugin were free and still work great for simple modeling. Newer ones are bundled inside FredoTools and get updates, but for basic curved work, the classic Tools On Surface is more than enough. You can still find those old gems below.
If you came here searching for the free download or older versions, yep — you’re in the right spot.
Download Fredo6 ToolsOnSurface (2.0a - 12 Nov 13)
LibFredo6 8.7m
How to Install Tools On Surface
- Download the zip file and rename it to ToolsOnSurface.rbz file (link above).
- In SketchUp, open Window → Extension Manager → Install Extension.
- Select the RBZ file and install it.
- Restart SketchUp — you’ll see new curved-drawing icons on the toolbar.
Pair It With Other Fredo Plugins
Tools On Surface shines even more when used with other Fredo6 creations:
- RoundCorner – round off your sharp edges.
- Joint Push Pull – extrude curved faces evenly.
- Curviloft – loft between curves to create smooth organic surfaces.
Final Thoughts
SketchUp has limits, but plugins like Tools On Surface erase most of them. Once you start sketching directly on curved geometry, you’ll never look at default drawing tools the same way again.
It’s clean, simple, and makes your modeling flow smoother than ever.
If you love Fredo’s work, check out the rest of his plugins — each one adds a missing piece to SketchUp’s toolset.
Happy modeling ✌️
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