Ceiling Openings

This menu contains the input and edit functions for ceiling openings, with variants for rectangular, L-shaped, circular and arbitrarily shaped openings. Ceiling openings penetrate all layers of the assigned ceiling panel and do not transfer to ceiling panels on other floors. For the definition of openings that span multiple floors, as occurs with chimneys, please use the chimney input in the Plan and Roof alignment model areas.

Openings - Rectangle

This dialog describes a rectangular ceiling opening. The value 'Length L' defines the opening extent in the X direction of the global coordinate system. After specifying the opening dimensions, the X direction of the opening can be aligned with the 'Align' function to selectable and temporary points and placed at any point in the ceiling panel. Graphical and temporary aids are available for alignment, selection of the point to be placed, and the target point.

Openings - L-shape

This dialog describes an L-shaped ceiling opening. The value 'Length L1' defines the opening extent in the X direction of the global coordinate system. After specifying the opening dimensions, the X direction of the opening can be aligned with the 'Align' function to selectable and temporary points and placed at any point in the ceiling panel. Graphical and temporary aids are available for alignment, selection of the point to be placed, and the target point.

Openings - Round

This dialog describes a circular ceiling opening. Optionally, the radius or the diameter of the opening can be defined. As an aid for placing the circular opening, a square is displayed around it which is oriented along the X direction of the global coordinate system. After specifying the opening dimension, the X direction of the opening can be aligned with the 'Align' function to selectable and temporary points and placed at any point in the ceiling panel. Graphical and temporary aids are available for alignment, selection of the point to be placed, and the target point.

Openings - Arbitrary

Using the input function 'Openings - Arbitrary', in principle all opening shapes with at least 3 corner points can be created. The known graphical inputs and temporary aids are available for definition and simultaneous placement.

Niches

The Niche function provides the ability to input openings that do not fully penetrate the ceiling. You can also enter a niche that does not create any opening in the ceiling at all, but only internal layer contours.

After choosing the function, a dialog opens with various input options:

Length: Length of the niche.

Width: Width of the niche.

Free contour: With this switch the dialog box closes temporarily and you can enter any contour. If you select only two diagonal points in the graphical input, the program automatically creates a rectangular niche from them. If you enter more points, that exact shape is adopted. When entering an arbitrary, non-rectangular contour, the fields for length and width are deactivated and display the maximum dimension of the niche contour. If you want to revert to the rectangular form and enter the length and width manually, then provide two diagonal points via the contour input. The program will then switch to the rectangular form.

Orientation: This determines on which side of the ceiling the niche is created.

Depth: This is the depth of the niche. You can also enter 0.0 here if you do not want to create an opening in the ceiling, but only want layer contours in certain layers. It is then important, however, that you specify in the next field the layers that should receive a layer contour.

Additional layer contours for layers: If you have entered a depth in the 'Depth' field, the penetrated layers automatically receive a layer contour. Additionally, this field can be used to give a contour to layers that are not penetrated by the niche. Especially for a depth of 0.0, which does not create an opening in the wall, it is important to specify here the layers that should receive a layer contour from the niche.

Combined element: Here you can attach a combined element to a niche. Only combined elements that have been created for ceiling openings and niches are permitted.

Using the 'Ok' button the niche is created and can be placed with the mouse, similar to a rectangular stair opening. With the 'Align' button you can align the niche by two points at any angle before it is placed.

Openings - Move

With the 'Openings - Move' function existing openings can be moved in all directions. You select the desired opening, a base point and a target point. A dialog then opens which displays the distance between the two points. The displayed values can be modified. If you want to move an opening by a specific measure, the easiest method is to click any point twice and then specify in the dialog the measure by which the opening should be moved.

Openings - Modify

With the 'Openings - Modify' function you can change existing openings in their dimensions, orientation and position. The procedure is the same as for creating a new opening, except that at the beginning of the function you select an existing opening with the mouse.

Openings - Delete

With the 'Openings - Delete' function you can delete all openings in the ceiling panels that were also entered in the ceiling panel. Chimney openings are deleted via a separate delete function.