Methods and apparatus for sweep-based freeform deformation of 3-D models may employ a set of intuitive parameters to bend, twist and scale a 3-D model along any direction. The parameters may include a first bend angle, a second bend angle, a twist angle, a scale factor, and a length. Sweep paths may be fitted to an input 3-D model. Each sweep path may be deformed by manipulating one or more parameters for the sweep path. The shape of the 3-D space surrounding each sweep path is deformed according to the sweep path deformations. Deformations in the 3-D space are applied to the 3-D model to deform the model. This allows freeform deformation of the 3-D model by manipulating only a few intuitive parameters. In addition, the sweep path origin and weight functions for each of the parameters may be adjusted by the user.