Can't join/cut steel framing elements in Family Editor

[john_hostick]

As the title says, I'm trying to create a steel truss family using steel "L" shapes. The top chord comes together at an apex, and the shapes will not join in the family editor. I am also unable to cut the shapes or use a void to trim for a clean joint. Can't join when creating the truss as an In Place model either. The only way the L shapes will join is if I model them in the project space. Is this "as intended" or am I doing something wrong?

Mr. Google has not been helpful.

[barthbradley]

Are you talking about Family started from the Structural Truss template? Structural Framing members aren't put into that Truss Family. Structural Framing members are assigned to the Truss Family Type/Instance in the Project.  Once assigned, the Structural Framing members can be joined however you like via Coping.  

Drill down from here to learn all about Trusses:  

https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-21CF2324-6459-4B3C-AB31-20A3FAE1FADB

[john_hostick · Accepted solution]

Thanks, for some reason the truss tool escaped me. I created the truss family, placed it in the model, and updated the elements to the proper shape (L-steel). rotating the profiles as necessary. Ended up with a nice truss. Unfortunately, when I copy or mirror the truss, all of the shape rotations go random and turn into a mess. Ugh

[barthbradley]

What's the solution you marked?   

Also, FWIW, no mess here using copy/mirror.  

[john_hostick]

Solution to the original issue was use the truss tool.

Not sure why, but my trusses blow up when I try to mirror or move them. I could likely be doing something wrong... I'm using a scan to BIM workflow and had to adjust the positions of the truss web members to match the point cloud. Also, the truss system isn't perpendicular to the levels, which gives Revit heartburn, which then gives me heartburn. I guess Mirror and copy doesn't like this. Wasn't worth the trouble to make the truss tool work in this case. I'm almost done with the work in less time than I spent fussing around with alternatives to just building the truss in the model.

[barthbradley]

---

@john_hostick wrote:

Also, the truss system isn't perpendicular to the levels, which gives Revit heartburn, which then gives me heartburn.

Non-perpendicular truss ends shouldn't give Revit heartburn.