Align
Open BimSpeed.GEN → Align to align elements or distribute clear gaps. The same panel contains Pin/UnPin, whose scope differs from alignment.
This guide was checked against the ribbon-bound General.Hau.OtherTools.AlignElement commands and AutoAlignEx. These commands have not been run in the 23 October 2026 capture session. The exercise and expected behavior below are derived from source.
Select elements and a reference
- Two or more valid elements already selected: run directly on the selection.
- Exactly one valid element selected: that element becomes the reference. Select more elements of the same category when prompted, then click Finish.
- No selection: run the command, pick elements at
Please select elements, then click Finish. - Esc: cancels selection. Alignment needs at least two valid elements; use at least three to observe distribution.
The filter excludes several classes, including Wall, Floor, Grid, Level, Dimension, Pipe, Duct, CableTray, Stairs and Railing. Use other workflows to align grids, alter floor elevations or adjust pipe runs. Hosted families and constraints can prevent movement.
Every alignment button
| Button | Behavior | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Aligns the upper bound to the reference; without a reference, uses the outer upper bound of the set | Compare actual bounds, not only insertion points |
| Bot | Aligns the lower bound to the reference or outer lower bound | Check lower edges and leaders |
| Left | Aligns left edges | Include elements of different widths |
| Right | Aligns right edges | Check both outer and intermediate elements |
| Middle | Aligns bounding-box midpoints along the processing Y direction to the reference midpoint, or the midpoint of the set's overall bounds | A family's insertion point need not be its geometric center |
| Horizontal Equals | Redistributes intermediate elements for equal horizontal clear gaps within the end limits | Measure edge-to-edge gaps, not center-to-center distances |
| Vertical Equals | Redistributes intermediate elements for equal vertical clear gaps | Measure vertical clear gaps |
These commands run alignment directly. Their command flow has no Preview, Save settings or Create step. They move existing elements without creating copies.
Increase and decrease gaps
Place three movable families along a row in plan with unequal gaps. Run Horizontal Equals and measure the two edge-to-edge gaps. The controller keeps the outer elements as limits and moves intermediate elements to equalize clear gaps.
To increase gaps, move the ends farther apart and run again. To decrease gaps, bring the ends closer and rerun. If combined element widths exceed the available range, the calculated gap can become negative and elements can overlap. These commands have no separate numeric gap input.
This exercise has not been executed in the current session. Before/after images and measured dimensions are needed to confirm installed-version behavior.
Plan, elevation and 3D
The controller has separate plan, elevation and 3D branches; it does not support every view type. Start in plan where directions are easy to inspect. In 3D, check direction and host constraints separately before processing a larger set. Do not assume Top has the same screen-relative meaning at every camera angle.
Inspect and save
Check bounding edges, tag/text leaders and hosted families after running. Use Undo if the result is unsuitable. Save the RVT after inspection; these commands do not have a separate settings file that saves model changes.
If nothing changes, check the valid selection count, view type, pin state and constraints. Start with two or three simple elements. To pin an entire category, use the separate Pin/UnPin guide.