ArchForm is clear aligner design software for orthodontists and dentists who want to plan aligner treatment themselves and make aligners in the office or order them from ArchForm. You import an intraoral scan as STL, the software segments and labels the teeth, and you move them to the final position while ArchForm generates the stages. People searching for an “ArchForm download” or “ArchForm software free download” will find that the desktop app is downloaded from your ArchForm Dashboard account, and that exports are paid for with credits.
ArchForm runs locally on Windows and Mac and syncs cases through the cloud Dashboard. Besides aligners, it covers indirect bonding trays, direct-print aligners and CNC trimming with ArchForm’s own mill.
ArchForm at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | Desktop App 2.7.2 (listed on the ArchForm support site in 2026; the 2.7.1 user manual is dated 2 July 2026) |
| Licence | Shareware (conditionally free): free account and product demo; exports are paid with ArchForm credits (pay for what you use) |
| Platforms | Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 Catalina or later; web Dashboard in the browser |
| Developer | ArchForm, Inc., USA |
| Official website | archform.com (support: support.archform.com) |
| Best for | Practices making aligners, retainers or indirect bonding trays in-house |
What it does
- Imports STL scans, orients them automatically to the midline and occlusal plane, segments each tooth and labels it. You can correct the segmentation with a brush tool.
- Aligns teeth automatically to a customisable arch form. You can then drag single teeth, adjust torque and vertical position, and set intermediate goals for staging.
- Calculates the number of aligners from the planned movements. It plans sequential distalization, overcorrection and one-click IPR.
- Adds and adjusts attachments (including lingual ones), bite stops, bite shifts, hooks, button cutouts and elastic cutouts. It also places pontics that shrink as a space closes.
- Prepares models for printing automatically: labels, hollowing with honeycomb support, vertical printing supports and trim lines.
- Designs indirect bonding trays and direct-print aligners, and exports files for the ArchMill CNC trimming machine.
- Syncs patients across computers through the Dashboard, where you can also submit cases to ArchForm for alignment, refinement or aligner manufacturing.
How dental teams use it
Plan an in-office aligner case
- Export upper and lower scans as STL from your scanner software. ArchForm’s support site has a guide for iTero exports.
- Create the patient, import the scans and let ArchForm segment and label the teeth. Clean up the gingival borders if needed.
- Run auto-alignment, then fine-tune tooth positions, attachments and IPR. Check the stage count and the IPR report.
- Export the staged models. ArchForm adds labels and supports, and you print them, for example in Formlabs PreForm, then thermoform the aligners.
Finish a braces case with aligners
- Scan the patient after debonding or near the end of fixed treatment.
- Plan the remaining movements as a short aligner series.
- Print models and make aligners in the office, or order them through the Dashboard.
Indirect bonding
- Import the scan and place brackets from an imported bracket set.
- Design the IDB tray and export it for printing.
Install and first run
- Account first: sign up on archform.com. The desktop app is downloaded from the drop-down menu in the Dashboard.
- Windows: run ArchForm.exe. If SmartScreen warns you, choose “More info” and then “Run anyway”.
- Mac: Control-click ArchForm.pkg and choose Open. If macOS blocks it, allow it under System Settings, Privacy & Security.
- Minimum hardware: 8 GB RAM, 1280 x 720 screen, Intel HD 620 graphics or better, a 2nd-generation Core i5 or equivalent, and a mouse with a wheel button.
- Billing: check your credit balance on the Export page before exporting. Pricing is shown in the Dashboard or given on request.
- Printers: exports are standard STL files, so any compatible 3D printer can be used. ArchForm lists 3Shape TRIOS and the Formlabs Form 3 as validated equipment.
Limitations
- It is not free software. Exports cost credits, and prices are not published on the website.
- It is prescription-only software. The manual states that users need orthodontic training and dedicated training in the software.
- Resin printers and thermoforming equipment are separate purchases. The software designs the models; it does not replace the printer’s own slicer.
- An internet account is needed for the Dashboard, downloads and case sync.
- Results depend on scan quality and on the clinician’s plan.
ArchForm vs alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| ArchForm | In-office aligners, IDB and direct print with pay-per-use exports | Shareware |
| ClinCheck | Planning Invisalign cases made by Align | Shareware (Invisalign providers) |
| Maestro 3D Ortho Studio | Setups and aligner models on Windows, with a pay-per-use option | Shareware |
| NemoStudio (NemoCast) | Aligner models inside a wider ortho, implant and surgery suite | Shareware |
For printing the exported models, pair ArchForm with your printer’s software, such as CHITUBOX, Lychee Slicer or Asiga Composer.
FAQ
Where can I download ArchForm software?
Create an account on archform.com and download the latest desktop app from the menu in the ArchForm Dashboard.
Is ArchForm free?
Not completely. You can create an account and see a demo, but exporting models uses paid ArchForm credits. It is shareware (conditionally free).
Is there ArchForm for Mac?
Yes. ArchForm runs on macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, as well as on Windows 10 or later.
What are the ArchForm system requirements?
At least 8 GB RAM, Intel HD 620 graphics or better, a 2nd-generation Core i5 or equivalent, a 1280 x 720 screen and a wheel mouse.
What is the latest ArchForm version?
The support site lists Desktop App 2.7.2. Export billing methods were introduced in 2.7.0. Older builds such as 2.3 or 2.6 are superseded.
Can I import iTero scans into ArchForm?
Yes. Export the scans as STL from iTero. ArchForm’s support site explains the export steps.
ArchForm vs ClinCheck: what is the difference?
ClinCheck plans Invisalign aligners that Align manufactures. ArchForm lets you design aligners yourself and print them in the office or order them from ArchForm.
Last checked against official sources: 28 September 2026 (developer website: archform.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
