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Understanding Libraries in Archicad

Libraries are a fundamental part of Archicad. They provide the reusable content used to create and document a project, including doors, windows, furniture, fixtures, annotation objects and other GDL-based elements.

A library is essentially a collection of resources that Archicad can access when working with a project. These resources can include objects, macros, textures and other files required for an object's geometry and behaviour.

When an object is used in a project, Archicad needs access to the library containing that object. The Library Manager is used to manage these library sources and see where they are located.

The key distinction is between where a library is stored and how the library is structured. These are separate concepts.

Where Libraries Are Stored

Archicad libraries can be Embedded, Linked, or stored on BIMcloud.

Embedded Libraries

The Embedded Library is stored inside the Archicad project file.

It is intended primarily for project-specific content, such as:

  • Custom objects created for the project
  • Unique furniture or building components
  • Project-specific annotation objects
  • Other content that does not need to be shared between projects

The main benefit is that the content travels with the project.

For content that is used across multiple projects, an external library is generally more appropriate because the same resource can then be maintained in one place.

Linked Libraries

A Linked Library is stored outside the project, usually on a local or network location.

The project stores a reference to the library rather than storing the library itself.

Linked libraries are suitable for shared content such as:

  • Office-standard objects
  • Custom doors and windows
  • Standard details
  • Specialist or manufacturer content
  • Office-specific parametric objects

The library location must be accessible whenever the project needs its content.

BIMcloud Libraries

For BIMcloud Teamwork projects, libraries required by the project should be uploaded to BIMcloud and linked from their BIMcloud location.

This provides a common library source that can be accessed by all users working on the project.

A typical Teamwork project may therefore contain:

  • Global Library — standard Archicad content
  • BIMcloud Libraries — shared office and project content
  • Embedded Library — project-specific objects

The important rule is:

Libraries required by a BIMcloud Teamwork project should be available on BIMcloud so that all Teamwork users can access them.

Library Types at a Glance

Type Location Typical use
Embedded Inside the project Project-specific content
Linked Local or network location Shared external content
BIMcloud BIMcloud Shared Teamwork content

These types can be combined within the same project.

Monolithic and Global Libraries

Monolithic and Global describe the structure of Archicad's standard library system. They do not describe where a library is stored.

Monolithic Libraries

Older Archicad versions used a Monolithic Library: a large, version-specific collection containing the standard Archicad objects.

Because the library was closely associated with a particular Archicad version, upgrading projects could involve migrating the project from one library version to another.

The Monolithic Library is now a legacy system.

Global Libraries

Starting with Archicad 28, Graphisoft introduced the Global Library.

The Global Library replaces the single monolithic collection with a system of library packages, or LibPacks. This makes the standard library more modular and reduces its dependency on a single version-specific library.

The Global Library is the current standard library technology for Archicad 28 and later.

Monolithic vs. Global

  Monolithic Library Global Library
Structure Single large library Collection of library packages
Version dependency Strong More flexible
Organisation Monolithic Modular
Status Legacy Current from Archicad 28

The transition from Monolithic to Global is a change in library technology, not simply a change in terminology. Older projects may therefore require library migration when moving to a newer Archicad version.

A Practical Library Strategy

A straightforward approach is:

  • Embedded Library → project-specific objects
  • Linked Library → shared external content where a local or network location is appropriate
  • BIMcloud Library → shared content required by BIMcloud Teamwork projects
  • Global Library → standard Archicad content in Archicad 28 and later

The distinction between storage and structure is the most important concept to remember:

Storage: Embedded, Linked or BIMcloud.

Structure: Monolithic or Global.

Once these two concepts are separated, Archicad's library system becomes much easier to understand and manage.