Workspace interactions
Link, unlink, and merge beams
Use the seam pills on adjacent deck sections to share a beam run, keep runs separate, align a height, or understand why a link is unavailable.
What you will accomplish
- Recognize when aligned beams merge automatically
- Use LINK and UNLINK at a visible seam
- Understand HEIGHT and STAIR states
- Control whether a corner shares one post
Aligned compatible beams merge automatically
When beam segments from adjacent deck sections line up and use compatible settings, DeckDraft treats them as one continuous run. Posts, footings, dimensions, 3D, and takeoff follow that shared run.
Select either neighboring deck section to reveal the seam state. If the run is currently shared, an amber UNLINK pill appears near the join.
Click UNLINK to separate; click LINK to share again
- 1Select one of the connected deck sectionsEligible seam controls appear beside the aligned beam join.
- 2Click UNLINKThe beam runs stay visually aligned but become separate physical runs with independent support behavior.
- 3Click LINKDeckDraft restores the continuous run and carries compatible saved support locations and footing overrides into it.
- 4Review the resultCheck post and footing locations, dimensions, warnings, 3D, and takeoff after changing the relationship.
Read the pill when LINK is not available
- HEIGHT means the adjacent sections are at different deck heights. When one side is free to move, clicking the pill aligns that section height so the beam relationship can merge.
- STAIR means a stair landing or stair relationship intentionally separates the beam runs at that seam.
- No pill can mean the segments are not aligned closely enough or their beam type, mount, height, label, extension, or other saved condition is different.
LINK can also control shared corner support
At a compatible beam corner, LINK lets both beams bear on one shared post; UNLINK keeps separate posts and footings. The pill uses the same green LINK and amber UNLINK language as a straight beam seam.
Where the front of one deck section meets the rear of another, LINK can move the front beam onto the junction and combine the support run. UNLINK restores separate beam bearings.
Use Undo if the support result is not what you intended
LINK and UNLINK are normal undoable workspace actions. If the post or footing result is not useful, undo once and inspect the two deck sections before trying a different relationship.
Still unclear?
Ask Docs AI about this page, or open DeckDraft when you need AI Help to read the active job.