New convenience button to add an empty for a type with no representation

src/blenderbim/Makefile

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ endif
 	cp -r blenderbim/* dist/blenderbim/
 
 	# Provides IfcOpenShell Python functionality
-	cd dist/working && wget https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifcopenshell-builds/ifcblender-python-$(PYNUMBER)-v0.6.0-0087fa8-$(PLATFORM)64.zip
+	cd dist/working && wget https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifcopenshell-builds/ifcblender-python-$(PYNUMBER)-v0.6.0-2f3c79a-$(PLATFORM)64.zip
 	cd dist/working && unzip ifcblender*
 	cp -r dist/working/io_import_scene_ifc/ifcopenshell dist/blenderbim/libs/site/packages/
 

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/model/__init__.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import bpy
 from . import handler, prop, ui, grid, product, wall, slab, stair, door, window, opening, pie, workspace
 
 classes = (
+    product.AddEmptyType,
     product.AddTypeInstance,
     product.AlignProduct,
     product.DynamicallyVoidProduct,
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ def register():
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.append(door.add_object_button)
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.append(window.add_object_button)
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.append(opening.add_object_button)
+    bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_add.append(product.add_empty_type_button)
     bpy.app.handlers.load_post.append(handler.load_post)
     wm = bpy.context.window_manager
     if wm.keyconfigs.addon:
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ def unregister():
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.remove(door.add_object_button)
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.remove(window.add_object_button)
     bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_mesh_add.remove(opening.add_object_button)
+    bpy.types.VIEW3D_MT_add.remove(product.add_empty_type_button)
     wm = bpy.context.window_manager
     kc = wm.keyconfigs.addon
     if kc:

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/model/product.py

@@ -8,6 +8,33 @@ from . import wall, slab, profile
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
 from ifcopenshell.api.pset.data import Data as PsetData
 from mathutils import Vector, Matrix
+from bpy_extras.object_utils import AddObjectHelper
+
+
+class AddEmptyType(bpy.types.Operator, AddObjectHelper):
+    bl_idname = "bim.add_empty_type"
+    bl_label = "Add Empty Type"
+    bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
+
+    def execute(self, context):
+        obj = bpy.data.objects.new("TYPEX", None)
+        for project in [c for c in context.view_layer.layer_collection.children if "IfcProject" in c.name]:
+            if not [c for c in project.children if "Types" in c.name]:
+                types = bpy.data.collections.new("Types")
+                project.collection.children.link(types)
+            for collection in [c for c in project.children if "Types" in c.name]:
+                collection.collection.objects.link(obj)
+                break
+            break
+        context.scene.BIMRootProperties.ifc_product = "IfcElementType"
+        bpy.ops.object.select_all(action="DESELECT")
+        context.view_layer.objects.active = obj
+        obj.select_set(True)
+        return {"FINISHED"}
+
+
+def add_empty_type_button(self, context):
+    self.layout.operator(AddEmptyType.bl_idname, icon="FILE_3D")
 
 
 class AddTypeInstance(bpy.types.Operator):