What is MaxonForm?
MaxonForm is essentially the modeling core of MAXON's CINEMA 4D, the powerful, mature and highly popular design and animation solution which has been 'customized' for architecture. The ArchiCAD add-on allows MaxonForm to function as a graphical GDL modeler and editor tightly integrated with ArchiCAD, allowing a streamlined "roundtrip" ArchiCAD-MaxonForm-ArchiCAD workflow on both the Macintosh® and Windows® platforms.
MaxonForm Packages and compatibility
The add-on only version supports Cinema4D 9.1, 9.2 and 9.5 (PPC version only).
The MaxonForm package content
MaxonForm application (simplified, customized C4D 9.1)
MaxonForm Plugin (takes care of the communication on MaxonForm's side, also works with the above mentioned C4D versions)
MaxonForm add-on (takes care of the communication on ArchiCAD's side, compatible with all AC10 versions)
Possible scennarios
- Users can buy this full package (1+2+3) to start from scratch.
If you already own a compatible Cinema4D version, then you don't have to buy the MaxonForm application (1) again: you can just buy the "Add-on only" package (2+3). This contains the MaxonForm plugin, which must be placed into C4D, and the ArchiCAD add-on, which must be placed into ArchiCAD. (In this case you will receive the same CD as the full package (a), but it doesn't contain the serial number for MaxonForm.)
- If you own a non-compatible C4D version, then the communication plugin and add-on will not work for you. You might compare the costs of purchasing package (a) vs upgrading your C4D version with Maxon and purchasing package (b).
MaxonForm versions ordered before 2007 March are not compatible with the Intel-Mac platform, users have to order the updated version of the software from the local partner.
Maxon tutorials
The online tutorials can be downloaded from here:
Example file for Tutorial 10 : InteriorDraft.pla
Example file for Tutorial 10 : Ceiling_spline.dxf
Example file for Tutorial 10 : WallDesignSplines.dxf
DXF/DWG in MaxonForm
You can import dxf and dwg files into MaxonForm. The only trick is that if you want to send the objects imported back to ArchiCAD then you should use the following workflow:
- Open ArchiCAD
Choose Create New Object with MaxonForm
MaxonForm will be opened (ArchiCAD will switch to "Synchronization" mode)
- Import the desired objects from dxf/dwg files from with the MERGE command.
- New objects can be sent back to ArchiCAD
Links
Maxonform Product page on Graphisioft.com: http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/solutions/maxonform.html
Maxonform Support page on Graphisoft.com: http://www.graphisoft.com/support/maxonform/
Maxonform plug-in for ArchiCAD 10: http://www.graphisoft.com/support/maxonform/downloads/