Analytical Snap To Level
Quickly align your analytical model elements to specific level elevations with a single click. This tool eliminates the tedious manual adjustment of beam and column endpoints, ensuring your analytical model accurately reflects your structural intent.
What is Analytical Snap To Level?
Analytical Snap To Level is a productivity tool that moves analytical member endpoints to match a chosen level elevation. Instead of manually editing each beam or column's analytical representation, you can select multiple elements and snap them all to your target level at once.
The tool intelligently handles different element types—beams snap both ends to the level, while columns only move the endpoint closest to your target elevation, preserving your column's span in the opposite direction.
When to Use
| Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Model cleanup | After importing or linking models where analytical elements don't align with levels |
| Floor-by-floor coordination | Ensuring all framing on a floor shares the same analytical elevation |
| Post-modification fixes | After moving levels or adjusting floor-to-floor heights |
| New model setup | Quickly establishing analytical geometry for freshly placed members |
| QA/QC workflows | Standardizing analytical model before running analysis or export |
Quick Start
- Select the analytical beams and/or columns you want to snap
- Click the "Analytical Snap To Level" button on the ribbon
- Choose your target level from the dialog
- Review the summary showing how many elements were processed
User Interface
Ribbon Button
The Analytical Snap To Level button is located in the DB Tools ribbon tab. The button is enabled when you have a valid selection in an analytical model view.
Level Picker Dialog
After clicking the button, a dialog appears listing all levels in your project:
- Levels are sorted by elevation (lowest to highest)
- Each level shows its name and elevation value
- Select a single level as your snap target
- Click OK to proceed or Cancel to abort
Supported Elements
This tool works with analytical members only:
| Element Type | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Beams | ✓ | Includes girders and joists |
| Analytical Columns | ✓ | Vertical framing members |
| Analytical Braces | ✗ | Not supported |
| Analytical Walls | ✗ | Not supported |
| Analytical Floors | ✗ | Not supported |
| Physical elements | ✗ | Select the analytical representation, not the physical model |
Note: If your selection includes unsupported elements, they will be skipped and reported in the summary.
Snapping Behavior
The tool handles beams and columns differently to produce structurally meaningful results:
Beams
Both endpoints move to the target level elevation.
- The beam becomes horizontal at the target level
- Use this to align framing to a consistent floor elevation
- Original beam length in plan is preserved
Columns
Only the closest endpoint moves to the target level.
- The tool determines which end (top or bottom) is nearest to your target level
- That endpoint snaps to the level; the opposite end stays fixed
- Column verticality and opposite connection are preserved
Example: A column spanning from Level 1 to Level 2—if you snap to Level 2, only the top endpoint adjusts. If you snap to Level 1, only the bottom endpoint adjusts.
Workflows
Workflow 1: Align All Floor Framing
Goal: Snap all beams on a floor to a single level elevation.
- Open your analytical model view for the target floor
- Use Select All or draw a crossing window to select all beams
- Click Analytical Snap To Level
- Select the floor level (e.g., "Level 2")
- Click OK
- Review the summary—all beams should now share the same elevation
Workflow 2: Fix Column Tops After Level Change
Goal: After adjusting a level's elevation, realign column tops.
- Select the columns that connect to the moved level
- Click Analytical Snap To Level
- Select the level you adjusted
- Click OK
- Column tops now match the new level elevation
Workflow 3: Mixed Selection Cleanup
Goal: Process a selection containing both beams and columns.
- Select all analytical members in an area (beams and columns together)
- Click Analytical Snap To Level
- Choose your target level
- Click OK
- Beams snap both ends; columns snap their nearest end
- Review the summary for any skipped elements
Tips & Best Practices
- Work in analytical views — Selecting analytical members is easier when physical elements aren't competing for your click
- Use filters — Create selection filters for "Analytical Beams" or "Analytical Columns" to quickly grab what you need
- Process by floor — Work one floor at a time to maintain control and easily verify results
- Check before analysis — Run this tool as part of your pre-analysis QC checklist
- Verify column spans — After snapping columns, confirm they still connect to the correct levels at both ends
- Undo is available — The operation can be undone with Ctrl+Z if results aren't what you expected
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Button is grayed out | No valid elements selected | Select analytical beams or columns before clicking |
| "0 elements processed" | Selection contains no supported types | Verify you selected analytical members, not physical elements |
| Element didn't move | Element may be constrained or locked | Check for constraints on the analytical member |
| Wrong endpoint moved (column) | The other end was closer to target | Choose a different target level, or manually adjust |
| Beam tilted unexpectedly | Endpoints were at different Z values | This is expected—both ends now match the level |
| Some elements skipped | Braces, walls, or floors were in selection | Only beams and columns are supported |
FAQ
Q: Does this modify my physical model?
A: No. This tool only adjusts the analytical model representation. Your physical beams and columns remain unchanged.
Q: Can I snap to a reference plane instead of a level?
A: No. The tool only supports levels defined in your project.
Q: What happens if I select elements on multiple floors?
A: All selected elements snap to the single level you choose. If you want different floors, process each floor separately.
Q: Can I undo the snap operation?
A: Yes. Use Ctrl+Z or the Undo button immediately after to reverse the changes.
Q: Why don't braces work?
A: Braces typically span between different elevations intentionally. Snapping both ends to one level would make them horizontal, which isn't typically desired. Brace endpoints should be adjusted manually.
Q: Does this work in Revit LT?
A: No. Revit LT does not include analytical model capabilities.
Q: Can I snap to a specific elevation instead of a level?
A: Not directly. Create a level at your desired elevation, then snap to that level.