Joe_Carrick

Jon, Try this one. I think the light may be too bright, but you can edit it. You would need to place it in a plan, select the light and TAB until you get the light, then open it and edit the light data. Let me know how this works for you. Jon's Lighted Niche.calibz

Jon, I've done some experimenting and I can do it. I'll make one 15x15x15 with a puck light in it. It would help if you could tell me what you want the light data to be. Spot, Lumens, Cut off Angle, etc. You will need to make your framed wall with just the studs and one surface (nothing between the studs and the stone wall) because the Niche will only cut the front face of the wall. I can't do this with a "Pass Thru" because Chief doesn't allow Windows to be included in an Architectural Block. As soon as I have the light data I'll get the Niche set up for you.

Jon, Please explain what you want. How thick is the wall and what is the width, height and depth of the Niches. Where do you want the light?

I was doing some work outside this morning - but it's about 95 degrees right now (mid march in Southern California only 6 miles from the beach) and it's too hot to work outside so I decided to slap together a representative set. I'm still looking for anything special to add - within reason of course

One more good reason to have a 3D Storey Pole syetem - where the Foundation isn't restricting the vertical movement of platforms.

Larry, Delete the Foundation, adjust the Floor Height in the dbx, then rebuild the Foundation. I find that having a Foundation really limits what can be done with the Structure dbx.

Thanks Cheryl, I enhanced the Washer Hookup to automatically make the hole when recessed. I just recess it 3-7/8" so the cover projects 1/8" from the wall surface. I added it to Post #1

This "trick" as Scott calls it really will work with any symbol as it just combines a transparent Backsplash and a Symbol as an Architectural Block. The two parts then can be copied, moved, etc as one while still retaining their individual characteristics and behaviors.

Scott, Select the frame - or the edge of the niche and then tab. That get's you to the Geometric Shape Symbol which you can open and adjust the materials, size, etc. If you adjust the size of the Symbol you will also need to select the opening, TAB and adjust the Backsplash size. IOW, see the bold black Note in post #1 An alternative is to "UnBlock" but then you lose the connection between the 2 parts and moving up/down and sideways is not so easy because you have to select both pieces to move them together - or you could re-block them.

Perry, The wall has to be Framed and the "Framing, Walls" layer needs to be displayed. The "wood" that's showing is what Chief shows for the stud layer when the Framing is not displayed. This is the same as what you see if you used the "Delete Surface" Tool to remove wall layers temporarily.

I wonder if Adrean would like to commission me to create the Library.

This Library has been replaced. Please see https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/4413-wall-niches-library-revised/

Select the part that goes thru the window, open the dbx, check "No Molding on Selected Line"

Here's #4 & #5 People Images 4.calibz People Images 5.calibz

Here's #1,#2 & #3 People Images 1.calibz People Images 2.calibz People Images 3.calibz

Let me see if I can upload a fresh set. I have no idea why those were pointing to my computer.

Now, I challenge CA to make this work without having to unblock, just using a defined symbol - with the wall framing automatically adjusting to frame the hole. IOW, let's get a Symbol Option that makes it work totally.

So, I got to thinking (very dangerous) and I wondered if there was a way I could combine the "Hole" with a 3D Object and have it work together. Here's what I came up with: I made a Niche Shape and placed it in the wall. Then I put a hole in the wall at the same location and blocked the 2 things together. I added that block to the library. When I place it in the Plan and move it into the wall so that the "hole" is located at the wall surface - and then unblock - The hole magically appears in exactly the right location, size & shape. I've attached the Library for you to try. Wall Niche.calibz

Simple solution. For Camera View, turn of the Framing Layer.

If you do like Curt and save the modified material to the Library with your "Profile Plan" and save the "Profile Plan" then the material comes in "Transparent" with any "New Plan". This problem with items saved in the Library not adding the material to a Plan that doesn't already have it has been reported to CA and should be fixed in the next patch for X7.

Curt, There are now "Foam Inserts" that fit between the studs and can be tiled with thinset. The Foam material comes with a waterproofing so nothing else is needed. I saw several of these things at KBIS this year.

Dennis, Here are some options: 1. Frame the wall - Studs will show 2. Change the wall definition so that the Main Layer is "Insulation - Air Gap" - you will not have framing 3. Change the texture of the Framing Layer to Air Gap or some other transparent material - Studs will not show in Render but will probably show in Vector Views 4. Leave the Framing and just adjust the stud locations when they're in the wrong place 5. Lobby CA for "Surface Cutouts / Niche Symbol" inserts that the framing will recognize.

This is called a "Layout Page Table" In your Layout - normally on Page 0 - select Tools->Layout-Layout Page Table Insert that onto your Layout. There is a tutorial for doing this and for editing the Page Information to fill in the table.

OK Scott, Here's a short vid http://screencast.com/t/jbJxuYlcOqLP

Those of you who want to place a Niche in a wall - download the "Hole in the Wall" Library Object I posted. This will cut a hole in the surface of any wall and you can then place your niche, cabinet, or whatever in that hole. You will need to "Frame" the wall so that it appears hollow.