# Niches

The function Niches, HRB reference replaces the old function for HRB references and extends it with the ability to enter niches. A niche is understood as an opening in the wall that does not fully penetrate the wall, i.e., a niche in the classical sense. The (old) HRB reference did not create an opening (niche) in the wall, but only a layer contour to which components could be assigned.

After selecting the wall in which the niche shall be created, a dialog box opens with various input options:

**Parapet height**: Here the height of the lower edge of the niche is entered, measured from the floor slab top.

**Lintel height**: If the parapet height has been entered, this field is deactivated and the lintel height is calculated from it. If, however, you want to enter the lintel height instead of the parapet height, delete the parapet height. The parapet height will then deactivate and the lintel height becomes active.

**Width**: Width of the niche or HRB reference.

**Height**: Height of the niche or HRB reference.

**Free contour**: This toggle is active only when you enter the niche in the wall construction while the wall is unfolded on the screen. With this toggle the dialog box closes temporarily and you can enter an arbitrary contour. If you select only two diagonal points in the graphical input, the program automatically generates a rectangular opening. If you enter more points, that exact shape is adopted.\
When entering an arbitrary, non-rectangular contour, the fields for width and height are deactivated and display the maximum dimensions of the niche contour. If you want to return to the rectangular form and enter width and height manually, enter two diagonal points via the contour input. The program will then switch to the rectangular form.\
Specifically with the free contour you can also enter objects other than a niche. See the chapter Tips and Tricks with Niches

**Orientation**: Like a window, a niche can be entered as visible or against-visible. This determines on which side of the wall the niche will be created. With the 'Choice' option you can select the opening direction graphically on the screen after positioning the niche.

**Depth**: This is the depth of the niche. A simple HRB reference receives depth 0.0 here, so that no opening (niche) is created in the wall. It is then important to specify in the next field the layers that should receive a layer contour.

**Additional layer contours for layers**: If a depth has been entered in the 'Depth' field, the penetrated layers automatically receive a layer contour, as is also the case for windows and doors. In addition, with this field you can also give a contour to layers that are not penetrated by the niche. Especially for HRB references, which do not create an opening in the wall, it is important to specify here the layers that should receive a layer contour from the niche.

**HRB type**: Here you select the HRB types from the HRB file if you want to create an HRB allocation and have components generated at the niche or HRB reference.

**left, right side**: Analogous to the stop side and the lock side for windows, niches have a right and a left side. In this way both sides can be assigned differently in the HRB allocation.

**Combined element**: As with other openings, a combined element can be attached to a niche. Here, too, only combined elements that were created for windows and doors are permitted.

## Tips and Tricks with Niches

Niches can be used not only for true niches, but also for deforming walls. It is important to know

* that a niche may also protrude beyond a wall. It still intersects correctly with the wall body.
* The niche may fully penetrate the wall body in depth, but it can also only partially enter the wall body.

What can you do with it now?

* With a niche that does not fully penetrate the wall in depth, you can "cut away" entire layers in an area of a wall. For example, if a wall requires an outer layer in one room that is no longer required in the adjacent room, you could create a niche in the area of that adjacent room that is as high as the wall (or higher) and covers the width of the room. The niche would then, depending on its depth, "cut away" the outer or the outermost layers.
* With a niche that completely penetrates the wall, you could completely "cut away" part of the wall. Since the niche can be defined by free contours, you can thus freely deform the wall.

Since the niche belongs to the wall, it is moved together with the wall when the wall is moved. If you delete the niche, you also restore the original shape of the wall.
