Join Geometry — Auto Join — Practical guide

Recorded in Revit 2027.3 with the English interface. Number 1 identifies the controls or result discussed immediately above the image. Click an image to open its full resolution.

Verification scope

Verified Active View and Selection, join/unjoin and reversed cut order. The same column volume changes from 1.512 to 1.440 m³. Project scope is explained but not executed. The saved model preserves the final selected-scope result.

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Video — English (3:43)

English transcript · English subtitles SRT · Chapter titles

Google Gemini Charon narration, directed in neutral American English. Chapter cuts, brief zooms and highlights follow the measured speech. Enable English subtitles in the video player.

1. Use Join/Unjoin (0:00)

On BimSpeed dot S T R, expand Join slash Unjoin and choose Join slash Unjoin. This opens Auto Join. Join Advance is a different command and is not used in this guide. We will join columns and beams, reverse which category cuts, and then demonstrate unjoin and selection scope.

2. Set scope and intersection options (0:20)

Range chooses Active View, Selection, or Project. Start with Active View for this example. Selection limits both sides to selected elements, so select both the columns and beams you want processed. Project is broader. Join Only If Solid Intersect filters new pairs by their solids. Override Existing Join allows existing pairs to be rebuilt. Verify the resulting cut order rather than assuming the unchecked override option freezes every existing relationship.

3. Columns cut beams (0:49)

The row checkbox is an operation choice. Checked means join; unchecked means unjoin. It is not an enable or disable checkbox. Put Structural Columns in the first category and Structural Framings in the second. The first category is the cutting element. Here both intersection options are checked and the range is Active View. Click Run, then inspect the joint in Revit.

4. Save and reload a template (1:13)

Enter a meaningful template name, such as Tutorial Columns Cut Beams, and click Save. Use the template list to reload it. The installed tool persists configuration when Run executes. Recheck the row, range, and checkboxes after loading: edits to a loaded template can affect its stored configuration. Remove deletes a saved template; it does not unjoin the model.

5. Add rules and reverse categories (1:43)

Add Rule creates another operation row. Set its two categories and join checkbox. The row swap button reverses the category order; the trash button removes that row. Rule order matters when the same elements appear in several rules, so avoid contradictory rows. The Project radio shown in the companion capture illustrates its scope; the recorded model operation uses Active View or Selection.

6. Unjoin matching elements (2:13)

To unjoin the chosen category pair, clear the row checkbox and keep the intended range. Click Run. Inspect the returned edge at the beam and column intersection. Unjoin changes the geometry relationship; it does not delete either element. A saved template and a saved R V T are separate things.

7. Verify columns-first geometry (2:35)

After joining with columns first, select the front column. Its displayed volume is one point five one two cubic meters. This is the six hundred by six hundred millimeter column with a four point two meter system length. We will use this same element to check the reverse cut order.

8. Reverse the order in a selection (2:54)

Select the intended columns and beams together. Open Auto Join, set Range to Selection, and swap the row so Structural Framings is first and Structural Columns second. Keep the join checkbox checked and run. Only the selected matching pairs are the intended scope. Do not select only one category and expect it to reach every other element in the project.

9. Confirm the changed volume (3:19)

The same column now reports one point four four zero cubic meters. The beam cuts the column, reducing its volume by zero point zero seven two cubic meters in this example. Use both the visible joint and Properties to verify the result. Save the R V T. The practice file preserves the selected-scope, beams-first result, while other frames can retain their earlier relationships.

Practice and safe repetition

Verified Active View and Selection, join/unjoin and reversed cut order. The same column volume changes from 1.512 to 1.440 m³. Project scope is explained but not executed. The saved model preserves the final selected-scope result.

Download the Revit 2027 practice package, extract the RVT and read README.txt. Save a separate copy before repeating. Use Ctrl+S to save the RVT; saving a tool template alone does not save model changes.