Creating smooth, rounded edges in SketchUp is essential for realistic 3D models. However, using plugins like Fredo6's or CornerEditor often results in a frustrating glitch: the "crack top" phenomenon. This issue manifests as open gaps, missing faces, or shattered geometry on the top surfaces of your model after running the script.
: For organic models, sub-division surface modeling often yields cleaner rounded corners than traditional destructive follow-me operations.
Before running Round Corner:
Before you give up, try these solutions from simplest to most advanced.
Hold down the key (Windows) or Option key (Mac) to toggle the "Soft To/Smooth" function. sketchup round corner crack top
SketchUp cannot easily create faces or edges shorter than 0.001 inches (about 0.025 mm). If your model is small, or your rounding radius is tiny, the extension tries to generate geometry below this threshold. SketchUp ignores these tiny segments, leaving a literal hole or "crack" where the new face should be. 2. Non-Manifold or Dirty Geometry
While SketchUp is incredibly versatile, it wasn't natively designed for complex edge rounding. To get professional results, you’ll almost always need a specialized extension or a few expert workarounds. 1. Why Do "Cracks" Appear? Creating smooth, rounded edges in SketchUp is essential
This issue is rarely a bug in SketchUp itself. Instead, it is usually a mathematical limitation related to scale, geometry conflicts, or plugin settings.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. : For organic models, sub-division surface modeling often
Simply delete the new face that filled the hole. Because the geometry is "manifold" (watertight), deleting the temporary cap will reveal the beautifully rounded hole underneath, exactly as you intended. Use the Eraser tool and click the face inside the hole; the rounded edge should remain.
Prevention is always easier than repair. By adopting a few smart modeling habits, you can dramatically reduce the frequency of top cracks.
