Basic Shapes
The Basic Shapes that are found in the Basic Tool Palette will in most cases be the starting off point for most objects that are created in a drawing.
Symbols
A Symbol is a named collection of objects that can be stored in the Vectorworks Resource Manager (library). When you use a Symbol in your drawing it is called a Symbol Instance. In AutoCAD, it is called a Block Reference (Ref).
Symbols are best used for content that is repeated. When a Symbol is edited in the Resource Manager all Instances of the Symbol within the drawing will be updated accordingly.
Plug-in Object
A Plug-in Object has the ability to interact with the user and in several cases will interact with other Plug-in objects that it is associated with. Plug-in objects are mostly created by Plug-in tools, however, some Plug-in objects such as Schematic View objects are created by menu commands.
Although every Plug-in object is different, they share the characteristic that their geometry and functionality is largely controlled by the user from the Object Information Palette. In effect, the objects build themselves based on the criteria you set.
CSG Objects
CSG is the collective term for Solid Objects that are created as a result of one or more of the Solid Operations that are found as Commands in the Model menu. These "Boolean" Operations are processes whereby an object is made by either adding, subtracting, or intersecting one object with another.
3D Modeling Objects
These objects are designed to create some of the essential 3D objects that most users will need for their everyday 3D modeling. They are created using the Model Commands, which form part of the core 3D functionality of the program. "
Generic Solids
A Generic Solid is a 3d object that has the history of the objects made to create it removed.
Groups
Groups are collections of objects. They have no properties at all apart from the ability to report the collective Location and Size of the objects they contain. They are however, incredibly useful objects and there is some ver useful functionality that is worth exploring.