Extrude along path

Question

Is there a way to extrude an object or shape along a path/curve, so you get a solid object? For example, a rectangle shape along a curve to get a long bendy sidewalk.

I feel this was in an older version of blender, but I can't find it now.

A more traditional extrude along curve add-on can be found here: http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?254368-Extrude-Along-Curve — , Aug 31 '14 at 00:33
The legendary Blender tendency of not doing things like the rest of the world... extruding curve A along curve B is actually "beveling" B with A: "Things are different, however, when you bevel the curve—that is, use some two-dimensional shape as a cross-section, and the line curve becomes a guide for extruding the shape into the third dimension". Source linked by user27048. — mins, Apr 04 '22 at 10:03

score 28 · Answer 1 · edited Nov 27 '15 at 19:49

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You can use an Array modifier combined with a Curve modifier:

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The Merge option merges duplicate vertices so that the resulting object stays as one mesh.

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Note that when using the Fit Curve option in the array modifier, you may have to apply the scale to ensure this works correctly (CtrlA> Scale).

edited Nov 27 '15 at 19:49

lbalazscs

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answered Sep 12 '13 at 23:59

gandalf3

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While this is very useful, and I'm likely going to do this to approximate what I need, I was more looking for something that works like 3DS-Max's Lathe, but in a line. E.G. A curve operating on another curve. – Kirbinator Sep 13 '13 at 14:26
The benefit of using modifiers to achieve this is that it's a non-destructive method: you can turn it on and off, change settings etc. while the original curves stay the same. – R. Navega Sep 21 '17 at 04:28
I like it. But it's pretty weird and buggy at points, especially with tight curves – Matt Fletcher Aug 22 '19 at 15:37
This method works in blender 2.9, whilst the other answer, unfortunately, does not - there is no more "Geometry" tab in object properties (unless I am missing something quite obvious). – shybovycha Oct 15 '21 at 02:15
@shybovycha, it's in the 'Object Data Properties' tab, not the 'Object Properties' tab. When using curves, the icon looks like a green curve with squares on its end points. The 'Geometry' section is in there. – Tynach Nov 26 '21 at 19:39

Haunt_House · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-13T17:14:08.327

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Bevelled curve

Use a bevel object in the curve properties > Geometry panel.

bevel object settings

You can use any curve to define the cross section of another curve. Make sure they are in separat objects because the object origin of the cross section curve will be extruded along the main curve. As you can see, you can put all kinds of independent curves into the Bevel Object

edited Sep 13 '13 at 17:14

answered Sep 13 '13 at 14:37

Haunt_House

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Sweet! How do you make those square shapes? – Kirbinator Sep 13 '13 at 23:40
is that a question or a comment? (: – Haunt_House Sep 13 '13 at 23:44
Question, I'm unsure how to get sharp edges with paths. – Kirbinator Sep 13 '13 at 23:53
If it's a question, make it a question. http://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/ask – Haunt_House Sep 13 '13 at 23:55
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I know it is an old question but I had it too in 2017 and the answer is here http://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/18014/object-follow-a-square-path – lesolorzanov Jan 26 '17 at 20:06
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Note, the shape to project along the curve must also be a curve, not a mesh plane. – ThorSummoner Jun 03 '18 at 22:54
@ThorSummoner That's why I used the word 'curve' a lot. Never mentioned anything else. – Haunt_House Jun 05 '18 at 19:49

Extrude along path

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