Sculpt Tool

Shape the vertical profile of extruded objects by adding sculpt handles to create tapers, bulges, and curved surfaces.

The Sculpt tool lets you deform the vertical profile of extruded shapes. Instead of a straight-sided extrusion, you can create tapers, bulges, pinches, and organic curves along the height of your shape.

How sculpting works

Every extruded shape has a vertical profile that determines its cross-section at different heights. By default, shapes have two sculpt handles:

  • Bottom handle: Controls the scale at the base (z = 0)
  • Top handle: Controls the scale at the top (z = height)

When both handles have the same scale (1.0), the shape extrudes straight up. Change the scale at either end to create tapers or flares. Add handles in between to create more complex curves.

Using the Sculpt tool

Adjusting existing handles

  1. Select the Sculpt tool from the 3D toolbar
  2. Select a shape in the 3D panel
  3. Drag a handle left or right to change the scale at that height

Dragging outward increases the scale (wider), dragging inward decreases it (narrower). The shape updates in real time as you drag.

Adding sculpt handles

To create more complex profiles, add handles between the top and bottom:

  1. With the Sculpt tool active and a shape selected, click on the profile line between existing handles
  2. A new handle appears at that height
  3. Drag the new handle to adjust the scale at that point

You can also drag directly on the line to add a handle and start adjusting in one motion.

Removing sculpt handles

Click on any handle between the top and bottom to remove it. The top and bottom handles cannot be removed.

When you remove a handle, the profile smoothly interpolates between the remaining handles above and below.

Sculpting multiple shapes

When you select multiple shapes that support sculpting, the Sculpt tool displays handles based on their combined heights. Handles at similar heights are merged, so dragging one handle affects all shapes at that height level.

This is useful for adjusting a group of shapes together while maintaining their relative proportions.

Supported shape types

The Sculpt tool works with most 2D shapes:

  • Freehand paths
  • Rectangles
  • Circles
  • Stars
  • Hearts
  • Polygons
  • Text
  • Compound paths

The following shape types do not support sculpting:

  • Image guides
  • Imported STL files
  • Code-generated shapes (JSCAD)
  • 3D primitives (spheres, cones, tori)

Common sculpt profiles

Taper (cone)

Set the top handle scale smaller than the bottom to create a cone-like taper:

  • Bottom handle: 1.0
  • Top handle: 0.3

Flare (trumpet)

Set the top handle larger than the bottom:

  • Bottom handle: 1.0
  • Top handle: 1.5

Pinch (hourglass)

Add a handle in the middle and reduce its scale:

  • Bottom handle: 1.0
  • Middle handle: 0.5
  • Top handle: 1.0

Bulge (barrel)

Add a handle in the middle and increase its scale:

  • Bottom handle: 1.0
  • Middle handle: 1.3
  • Top handle: 1.0

Tips

  • The minimum scale is 0.1. You cannot completely pinch a shape to a point.
  • Sculpt changes are applied per shape. Each shape stores its own sculpt profile.
  • Combine sculpting with the Twist tool to create spiral or twisted tapered forms.
  • For complex organic shapes, add multiple handles along the height to create smooth curves.

#Example Below