Model updating improves the correlation between the response of the real structure and the response of the finite-element (FE) model; however, the selection of the updating parameters (parametrization) is crucial for its success. Using full-field modal shapes, a large number of parameters can be updated, e.g., the Young’s moduli of all the finite elements; however, the structural response is not necessarily sensitive to an arbitrary parameter, making the optimization problem ill-conditioned. Additionally, the computation of the full sensitivity matrix is not feasible for relatively large FE models. Not all locations are equally important for model updating; at locations of the highest mechanical loads, more focus is required. In this research, the updating parameters are based on the curvature of the 3D full-field experimental shape, where locations with high curvature are associated with high sensitivity. The assumption is initially researched with the Euler–Bernoulli beam elements and second-order tetrahedrons. The proposed method is investigated on numerical and real experiments, where successful updating was confirmed. With the proposed parametrization and updating approach, a geometrically complex structure is parametrized and the parameters updated without significant user input, generalizing the model-updating procedure. •3D full-field modal shapes are identified using the frequency-domain triangulation.•The numerical model is parametrized based on each measured full-field modal shape curvature.•Interior Point Method (IPM) is used to update the numerical model.•Anomaly on the structure is successfully identified on the numerical and real experiments.