Hi Teddy,

re:
> For instance, I'd like to extrude this sample into raised rounded bumps like a
> paw pad on a animal's foot.

Probably the best way is for each one of your shapes, either scale or offset (or just draw in) an inner shape, and place a point object (Draw curve > More > pt) in a central location in it, and then move the inner curve and point upwards in Z, so you have a curve and point setup like this:



So note that you want to make sure the point is in the same plane as the upper profile curve, so make sure to move them together.

With a setup like that you can now produce a smooth bump from it by selecting those 3 objects (2 curves + 1 point) and using Construct > Loft, with setting the option in Loft for Loft Style = "Loose". That will build a surface like this with a smooth round tip:



- Michael