All GDL Objects have a subtype, organized in a tree hierarchy based on the IFC (Industrial Foundation Classes) entity structure. Subtypes allow you to organize your library parts into a logical system. Add-Ons also use subtypes to identify their corresponding library parts.
ArchiCAD subtypes are controlled by subtype object templates. When you create a new GDL Object, ArchiCAD will allow you to choose one of the available subtypes for your element.
Some of the subtypes include additional features called handlers. These define whether the elements that belong to the subtype can be accessed as general objects by clicking the Object tool’s icon and choosing them in the Object Settings dialog box, or as specific objects that either have their own tool icon in the Toolbox (for example Door, Window, Corner Window, Skylight, Label, Stair) or are placed by special commands or functions (for example Zone stamps and RoofMaker objects). To locate an element by subtype, choose
File >Libraries and Objects > Open Object. From the Files of Type drop-down list, choose the subtype of the objects you wish to browse.