I received a message from SDMITCH but cannot reply to his message. Why is that?
here is a dropbox link to the sample file. The red trim is what I need automated around each letter.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gptb9cr1btnmaan/obnet_v14.skp?dl=0

Thank you all for your replies. What I'm trying to do is automate the process of 'follow me' using a custom shape (not just a rectangle). I want to be able to select an object like text and apply this effect to the edges. See attached sample.

Is there a plugin for converting circle, lines, arcs to a rectangle like the other plugin that converts to a cylinder? I'm want to apply a trim cap to sign channel letters. It's a plat trim that follows the shape of the letters. See my simple example below.