Extrude Curve (ECM) — Non-destructive curve extrusion modifier (Geometry Nodes)
Description
Extrude Curve (ECM) is a free and lightweight modifier for Blender that lets you extrude any curve into a 3D mesh in a fully non-destructive and procedural way, powered by Geometry Nodes.
Instead of converting curves to meshes and losing flexibility, you can keep your curves editable while generating clean extrusions in real time.
Key Features
- Height control — Set the extrusion distance directly.
- Segments — Define the number of divisions along the extrusion.
- Caps — Quickly enable or disable top and bottom caps with a single click.
- Works with any curve — Supports multiple splines in a single object, including curves with holes.
- Supports both Bézier and NURBS curves.
- Automatic normals orientation — Mesh normals are handled for clean geometry output.
- Non-destructive workflow — Curves remain editable at all times.
Requirements
- Blender 4.2.0 or newer.
Installation
- Go to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install…
- Select the .zip file of the addon and click Install Add-on.
- Enable the addon in the Add-ons list (search for “Extrude Curve” and toggle it on).
- Optionally, click Save Preferences to keep it enabled on startup.
Quick start — apply ECM
- Select a Curve object (Bezier, NURBS, Poly).
- Go to the Modifiers tab in the Properties editor.
- Click Add Modifier → SplineDynamics Tools → Extrude Curve (ECM).
- Adjust the modifier controls:
- Height → extrusion distance.
- Segments → number of divisions.
- Caps → toggle top and bottom faces.
- The modifier is procedural — you can edit the original curve at any time.
Node Group usage
The addon installs the node group ECM_ExtrudeCurve.
- It is used internally by the ECM modifier.
- You can also add it directly in the Geometry Nodes Editor via:
Add → SplineDynamics Tools → Extrude Curve (ECM). - This allows you to build custom node trees reusing the ECM extrusion logic.
Note about the “Unassigned” category
When you first assign ECM to an object, Blender will automatically create a category called Unassigned in the Add Modifier menu (if it does not already exist) and place the node group ECM_ExtrudeCurve there.
If you want to remove ECM_ExtrudeCurve from Unassigned, do the following:
- In the Outliner, switch Display Mode to Blender File.
- Open Node Groups and locate ECM_ExtrudeCurve.
- Right-click and choose Mark as Asset.
- Open the Asset Browser in another editor window.
- In the Unassigned category, locate ECM_ExtrudeCurve.
- Drag it into a new or existing catalog (e.g. SplineDynamics Tools).
Once moved, it disappears from Unassigned, and if that category has no other items, it will vanish completely.
Troubleshooting / FAQ
Q – The extrusion looks offset or goes sideways (XY) instead of up (Z).
A – Verify that the curve is laying flat on its local XY plane. If not, go into Edit Mode, rotate the curve accordingly, and retry.
Q – I don’t see the modifier in the Add Modifier menu.
A – Ensure the addon is enabled in Preferences → Add-ons. Look under Add Modifier → SplineDynamics Tools.
Q – Can I edit the ECM node group manually?
A – Yes. The node group is available under Outliner → Blender File → Node Groups. Editing it will affect all modifiers that reference the same group.
Support, Donations & Links
- Report issues: ECM on GitHub
- Support development: Gumroad (Pay what you want)
- Direct donation: Donate with PayPal
License & credits
- See the included LICENSE file for full terms.
- Author: Hernan Rodenstein / Spline Dynamics.
- Special thanks to early testers and the Geometry Nodes community.
Changelog
- 1.0.0 — Initial public release (ECM_ExtrudeCurve node group included).