Welcome to the Onshape forum! Ask questions and join in the discussions about everything Onshape.
First time visiting? Here are some places to start:- Looking for a certain topic? Check out the categories filter or use Search (upper right).
- Need support? Ask a question to our Community Support category.
- Please submit support tickets for bugs but you can request improvements in the Product Feedback category.
- Be respectful, on topic and if you see a problem, Flag it.
If you would like to contact our Community Manager personally, feel free to send a private message or an email.
ray
tunahan_döner405
Member Posts: 2 ✭
Title:
Feature Request: Native Bend/Curve Tool for Solid Bodies (Alternative to Sweep)
Body:
Hello,
I’m currently designing curved objects like rails/tracks, and I’ve run into a limitation in Onshape’s workflow.
Right now, the only reliable method to create curved geometry is using Sweep with a predefined path and profile. However, this approach becomes restrictive and unintuitive when starting from an already modeled straight part.
The problem:
- There is no direct way to bend or curve an existing solid body.
- If a design starts as a straight extrusion, it cannot be easily transformed into a curved version.
- This forces users to completely redesign parts using Sweep from scratch.
Why this matters:
In many real-world scenarios (like rails, pipes, structural elements), designers often:
- Create a straight version first
- Then decide to curve or adjust it
This workflow is currently not supported efficiently.
Suggested solution:
Introduce a “Bend” or “Curve” tool for solid bodies, similar to what exists in other CAD systems. This tool could:
- Bend a part along a defined arc or radius
- Allow angle input (e.g., 90°, 180°)
- Preserve cross-section during deformation
Benefits:
- Faster iteration and prototyping
- More intuitive modeling workflow
- Eliminates need to rebuild parts from scratch
- Makes Onshape more competitive with other CAD tools
I believe this feature would significantly improve usability for many users working with curved geometries.
Thanks!
Answers
Even though I can usually work around it, I'd welcome such a tool set, because it maps a real world workflow and it's manufacturing steps to the CAD world, making it easier for designers to support and document the manufacturing process.
+1 to bendy workflows. There's a whole world of 4d modeling I'm waiting to unleash on the unsuspecting masses that's hard blocked by the lack of a universal solid deformation function.
Derek Van Allen | Engineering Consultant | Meddler