ArchiForma 2 is an extension that uses API (Application Programming Interface) technology to add new functionality to ArchiCAD.

The Plug-in was designed and developed to give ArchiCAD users complete freedom in creating special shapes without having to use GDL scripting.

One of the main need of the ArchiCAD users designers is the possibility to create free shapes or custom objects. In order to fulfil these needs, Cigraph developed ArchiForma 1.0, the successful object modeler tool for ArchiCAD.

Then Graphisoft released ArchiCAD 8.0 that provides the users with the Solid Element Operation issues (Boolean functions).

With these tools (ArchiCAD 8.0 and ArchiForma 1.0) the user can create whatever he may need to but, as usual, Cigraph tried to improve its tool providing the users with more and better functions so here we are to introduce you ArchiForma 2.0.

Using ArchiForma 2 is just like using any other simple ArchiCAD function. You won't even realise you're using a Plug-in.

ArchiForma 2 can be activated at any moment by selecting the command ArchiForma/Visualise ArchiForma Palette, which is added to the standard ArchiCAD Extra Design menus during installation.

All commands and functions on the ArchiForma Palette are immediately available and may be used both on the Floor Plan worksheet as well as in the ArchiCAD 3D Window.

 

The ArchiForma 2 Palette is divided into four main sections that contain logical groupings of the different types of commands and functions required for creating or modifying objects:

 

The graphic interface allows quick and simple editing of even the most complex forms, such as extrusions, tubing or surfaces.
With the hole, cutting plane and rotate commands, even the most minute details can be sculpted to get the desired shape. 

The objects created with ArchiForma 2, such as doors and windows, can be saved as library parts and used again in future projects. They can also be edited any time modifications are necessary and saved again as new Objects.

This example shows how easy it is to work with ArchiForma. It provides a step by step description of the operations required for creating a translational surface. 

Several improvements had been done respect of the previous versions are a lot, let's describe only some of them.
Let's start with the new graphic interface and the four new kinds of extrusion tools: 

Let's continue with this short description.
The Ruled Extrusion needs two ArchiCAD Fills which describe the bottom and the top faces. The resulting solid is generated by the connection of these two polylines in the 3D space.
The Twister Extrusion needs only an ArchiCAD Fill which describes its base: it generates a solid coming form the extrusion of this polygon around a vertical axis (the shape can also be resized along this path).
The last one, the Bend Extrusion, it's similar to the first one, the Vertical Extrusion, but the final prism can be bent.

All these solids coming from the extrusion tools, can be edited both in the Plan and in the 3D window by using the ArchiCAD Editable GDL Hotspots. You simply need to select and drag the hotspot to graphically modify the element without exploding it or coming back to its setting dialog window.
 

The following icons in the ArchiForma 2 palette are the Revolution and Spiral Tools. The Spiral Tool let you extrude along a circular or elliptical path predefined profile shapes or custom (user defined) shapes.
The next tools, Extrusion and Sweep along a path, are some of the best improvements of ArchiForma 2.0.