Framing Joins
Framing Joins provides quick control over how structural framing elements connect to other elements in your model. With two simple commands, you can enable or disable joins at beam and brace endpoints—saving time compared to manually adjusting each connection through Revit's properties.
What is Framing Joins?
When structural framing elements (beams, braces, etc.) meet columns or other framing, Revit automatically joins their geometry. This joining behavior affects how elements display and export, but isn't always desirable. Framing Joins lets you toggle this behavior on or off for multiple elements at once, applying the change to both ends of each selected member.
When to Use
| Scenario | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Beams cutting into columns unexpectedly | Disallow Join |
| Framing connections not displaying correctly | Allow Join |
| Preparing model for structural analysis export | Disallow Join (for cleaner geometry) |
| Restoring default connection behavior | Allow Join |
| Fixing display issues at beam-to-beam connections | Toggle as needed |
| Batch-processing multiple framing elements | Either command on selection |
Quick Start
- Select one or more structural framing elements in your view
- Go to the DB Tools ribbon tab
- Click Allow Join or Disallow Join from the Framing Joins split button
- Review the summary showing how many elements were modified
User Interface
Framing Joins appears as a split button on the DB Tools ribbon. A split button has two parts:
- Top portion: Clicking here runs the currently displayed command (the last one you used)
- Drop-down arrow: Clicking the small arrow reveals both available commands
Available Commands
| Command | Icon Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Allow Join | Enables joining | Both ends of selected framing can connect to adjacent elements |
| Disallow Join | Disables joining | Both ends of selected framing will not join to adjacent elements |
Availability
The Framing Joins commands are only available when you have at least one structural framing element selected. If the button appears grayed out, check that your selection includes beams, braces, or other structural framing—not columns or other element types.
Workflows
Disabling Joins for Multiple Beams
Use this workflow when beams are cutting into columns or creating unwanted geometry at connections.
Select the framing elements
- Draw a selection box around the beams you want to modify, or
- Hold Ctrl and click individual beams to add them to your selection
Filter your selection (if needed)
- If you selected other element types, use Revit's Filter tool to keep only structural framing
Run the command
- Click the drop-down arrow on the Framing Joins button
- Select Disallow Join
Confirm the results
- A message will display how many elements were modified
- Visually verify the connections now display as expected
Restoring Join Behavior
Use this workflow to re-enable default joining after previously disabling it.
Select the affected framing elements
- Select beams that previously had joins disabled
Run Allow Join
- Click Allow Join from the Framing Joins split button
Verify the connections
- Check that geometry now joins properly at connections
Processing an Entire Level
Create a view filtered to structural framing
- Use a plan or 3D view showing only the level you need
Select all visible framing
- Use Ctrl+A or draw a selection box around all elements
- Filter to structural framing only if needed
Apply your desired join setting
- Click Allow Join or Disallow Join
Review the summary
- The count should match the number of framing elements on that level
Tips & Best Practices
Work in appropriate views: Use plan views or filtered 3D views to easily select framing on specific levels
Check your selection count: Before running the command, note how many elements are selected to verify the summary matches
Use with selection filters: Combine with Revit's selection filter to target only beams or only braces
Consider documentation impact: Join settings affect how framing appears in sections and details—verify documentation views after making changes
Save before bulk operations: When modifying many elements, save your model first so you can revert if needed
Both ends are affected: Remember that each command applies to both endpoints of every selected element—you cannot set different join states for each end using this tool
Troubleshooting
The button is grayed out
Cause: No structural framing elements are selected.
Solution: Select at least one beam, brace, or other structural framing element. Note that columns are not structural framing—they are a separate category.
Elements weren't modified
Cause: Your selection may have included elements that aren't structural framing.
Solution: Check that you're selecting beams or braces, not columns, floors, or other element types. Use Revit's Filter command to verify your selection contents.
Joins still appear after Disallow Join
Cause: The visual representation in your view may not have updated, or the elements at the other end of the connection may still have joins allowed.
Solution:
- Try refreshing the view (close and reopen, or zoom in/out)
- Check if the connecting elements also need their joins modified
- Verify you selected the correct elements
Some elements changed but others didn't
Cause: Only valid structural framing elements are processed.
Solution: Elements that weren't modified may be different categories (like structural columns) or may already have had the join state you requested.
Model performance after changes
Cause: Changing join states on many elements may require Revit to regenerate geometry.
Solution: This is normal behavior. Allow Revit to complete its processing. For very large selections, consider working in smaller batches.
FAQ
Q: Can I set different join states for each end of a beam?
A: Not with this tool. Framing Joins applies the same setting to both ends of each selected element. To set different states for each end, use Revit's native properties for individual elements.
Q: Does this work on structural columns?
A: No. Framing Joins only operates on structural framing elements (beams, braces, joists, etc.). Structural columns are a separate category and require different methods to control their join behavior.
Q: Will this affect my analytical model?
A: The join setting primarily affects the physical geometry, not the analytical model. However, geometry changes could indirectly impact analysis if your analytical model is tied to physical geometry.
Q: Can I undo this operation?
A: Yes. Like most Revit operations, Framing Joins can be undone using Ctrl+Z or the Undo button.
Q: How many elements can I process at once?
A: There is no fixed limit. The tool will process all structural framing elements in your selection. For very large selections (hundreds of elements), expect the operation to take a few seconds.
Q: What's the difference between this and Revit's native join controls?
A: Revit allows you to control joins one element at a time through the properties palette or by right-clicking connection points. Framing Joins lets you change multiple elements at once and automatically applies to both ends of each element.