Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction to Vulcan
Version 8
Copyright
2009 Maptek
Maptek, Vulcan, I-Site, and MineSuite are registered and unregistered trademarks of Maptek
Pty Ltd; Maptek Computacin Chile Ltda; Maptek Computacin Chile Ltda, Sucursal Per;
Maptek S de RL de CV; Maptek Informtica do Brasil Ltda and KRJA Systems, Inc. Registered
marks are registered in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico,
Peru and the USA.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this manual shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise - without written permission from Maptek.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein.
Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the publisher and
author(s) assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for
damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Australia | Brazil | Chile | Mexico | Peru | South Africa | UK | USA
info@maptek.com
www.maptek.com
Trademarks
Due to the nature of the material, some hardware and software products are mentioned by
name. The companies that manufacture the products claim many of these product names as
trademarks. It is not the intention of Maptek to claim these names or trademarks as their own.
Revision History
May 15, 2009 (8.0), United States, International version, technical update
March 2009 (8.0), Australia, technical update and layout change
January, 2008 (7.5), United States, Australia, technical update and layout change
March, 2006 (7.0), United States, technical update
July, 2005 (6.0), United States/United Kingdom, technical review
January, 2004 (5.0), United Kingdom, technical review
Contents
Getting Started
User Interface
17
iii
Viewing Data
31
45
59
CAD Introduction
77
iv
Contents
85
Analysing Data
93
Labelling
97
Creating a Database
101
119
Databases
123
Database Maintenance
131
Drilling Utilities
145
Triangulation Modelling
153
Triangulation Surfaces
161
Triangulation Solids
173
vi
Contents
Introduction to Grids
197
Data Organisation
215
Master/Working Directories
217
Plotting
221
Presentation
229
vii
viii
Contents
1 Getting Started
Installation, Setup and Licensing
The install CD contains everything you need to install and run Vulcan.
During the installation, remember to note any changes you make to your system and backup
your files before you edit or replace them. You may need administrator privileges to install
software or make any modifications to your computer.
Hardware/System Requirements
For computer intensive options such as block modelling, using large triangulations or
databases, the recommended requirements are vital.
Note:
Specifications listed
may change in future
Vulcan releases.
Tutorial 1.1
Change your virtual memory maximum and size to 2000.
Graphics Cards
Vulcan supports OpenGL compliant graphics cards such as nVidia Geforce, nVidia
Quadro or ATI Radeon. For best performance, ensure the graphics card drivers are up to
date.
Checking your Graphics Card:
Tutorial 1.2
Check the type of graphics card installed on your computer.
Environment Variables
Environment variables are values that affect the way computer processes behave. There are two
types of environment variables:
System - Is preset no matter who is logged onto the machine.
User - Is when each user has a individual set of variables. If the same variable is listed in
both areas, the user variable will be used.
Note:
You may need to
have administrator
privileges to create
or edit your
environment
variables.
1 Getting Started
Tutorial 1.3
Set your TEMP and TMP variables to a file path name (without spaces).
Installing Vulcan
For sites requiring a network licence (FLEXnet Publisher), a notification is sent with the
licencefile. Use the Install Network licence option to set up the server.
Prior to installation:
Check that you have administrator privileges.
Do not install a newer version of Vulcan over an old version. Save to a different folder.
Check that you a node-locked Vulcan licensing dongle. It is important to install the
correct dongle drivers - HASP dongle (USB) or Sentinel dongle.
You have read the End-User Licence Agreement.
Corporate Standards
For companies with multiple sites, corporate standards are used to maintain company wide
standards for Vulcan specification files. In other words, multiple copies of the same
specification file are not required. For example, files such as .gcv files (Grade Control), RES
files (Advanced Reserves) and .scd files (colours and legends) can be used several times.
Enabling company approved specification files minimises errors.
1 Getting Started
Corporate standards does not prevent users from accessing their personal specification files.
By default, it will direct users to the corporate standard files first and then allow them to browse
elsewhere.
Creating a Corporate Standards Folder
If a central Resources folder (mapped with a ENVIS_RESO variable) already exists, create a new
folder in the same area for the corporate standards (specification files) to be stored.
To protect company specification files from being overwritten, set the corporate standards
folder to read-only.
Activating Corporate Standards
If corporate standards is turned on during installation, a Vulcan_CORPORATE environment
variable will be created, which controls corporate standards (on or off) and where the folder is
located. The correct path to the corporate standards folder must be used. Vulcan will search for
this file the first time Envisage is opened.
If corporate standards is turned off during installation, you can use it later by creating a variable
to turn it on. More information is available under System Administration : Environment
Variables in the Vulcan Help.
Changing the Default Specification File Location
The default working directory is set to the corporate standards folder for several menu options
that can be turned off. Press the corporate standards button at the bottom of applicable dialog
boxes, however this will revert back the next time Vulcan is used. If the corporate standards
variable has not been set, this button will not appear.
Corporate Standards Enabled - Files contained within the corporate standards folder.
Home Directory Enabled - Files contained within the current working directory.
The following file types are supported by corporate standards:
.scd - Colour scheme file
.ftd - Feature file
.gcv - Grade Control configuration file
.bdf - Block definition file
.res - Advanced Reserves dialog box inputs
.tab - Advanced Reserves reporting tables
Service Packs
Vulcan service packs are released when fixes for known issues (hotfixes) and critical updates
are made.
Primary contacts at each mine site are notified when a new service pack is available for
download from www.maptek.com or ftp sites ftp.maptek.com and ftp.maptek.co.uk.
Double-click the .exe file to install.
Licensing
You must have a licence file to run Vulcan or to modify features (Geology or Survey features).
Installing Vulcan
If you are using a node-locked licence, browse to the location of your licence file (lac) and
select Licence Type.
Different lines indicate different configurations (combinations of menu options).
To be able to use a configuration with your dongle, the line must say Nodelocked.
Shows if the
dongle is
valid and if it
is being read
properly
Click to
confirm that a
licence
configuration
can be used
successfully
1 Getting Started
Floating Licence
When you use a floating licence ensure the server name (machineries) matches the dongle
location (FLEXnet Publisher).
To display licence information click the Refresh button. The Licence Type is displayed as
floating. The Total and In use Column display the number of licences available for each
configuration and the number of licences in use.
Click Repair Dongle for recharging pre-paid dongles or if a dongle is not being read properly.
Use Borrow Licence to use (check out) a floating licence.
Tutorial 1.4
Ensure the Licence Administrator can see your licence.
Installing Vulcan
3. Click the Refresh button to show the features under the floating licence.
4. Click Borrow licence.
5. On the Borrow licence tab, set a date and time to return the licence.
If the time period exceeds the borrow limit, you will be notified that you are attempting to
borrow for a longer period than is allowed.
6. Click Start Borrowing.
1 Getting Started
7. Click OK.
The Licence Administrator window will display showing available features.
If the features do not appear, ensure that the server is selected and click Refresh.
8. Select a feature to borrow and click OK.
9. Start Envisage.
10. Exit Vulcan completely to finalise the borrowing setup.
You must start Vulcan while connected to the server before the licence can be borrowed.
Data Structure
The most commonly used data in Vulcan are CAD data and triangulations. CAD data (such as
lines and polygons) are stored in a database (dgd.isis) and triangulations are stored as
separate files with the extension .00t.
Design Database
Layers are not stored as individual files.
Multiple layers can be stored in a single design database file within your work area.
Design databases (also called design files) follow the following naming convention:
<project code><database name>.dgd.isis
The associated index file for a design database is named
<project code><database name>.dgd.isix
Layers
Objects are stored in layers.
Vulcan organises data into major groups (or levels) called layers.
Layers can contain one or more objects.
Objects
Sequential point entries make objects. For example:
A line (sequential group of connected points).
A polygon (closed line).
A group of unconnected points.
Installing Vulcan
Starting Vulcan
When Vulcan is started, a work area must be selected.
1. Start Vulcan.
2. Double-click on Browse.
Browse to the location of your data. Select a folder to open.
3. Click OK.
The folder will appear in the work area box. Any directories that are opened will
remain in the work area until manually deleted.
To delete a directory, right-click on the folder and select Remove from History or
Remove all to delete the entire list.
The work area history is stored in a file called .vlauchpref, which is located
under C:\Documents and Settings\User Name.
10
1 Getting Started
Click to
browse files
or folders.
Tutorial 1.5
Browse to the start data folder.
On the right-hand side of the dialog box are the application buttons which include:
Envisage - 3D viewer and editor.
Isis - Database editor that interacts with Envisage.
Plot Utility - Plot files viewer.
Settings - Dynamic Array settings (also called the Dynamic Memory settings).
Dynamic Arrays
Use the Vulcan Dynamic Arrays Configuration dialog box (under Settings or in Envisage
under Tools > Dynamic Memory Settings) to modify size Envisage arrays. This is so large
objects, grids and triangulations can be manipulated in Vulcan. Restart Vulcan for any changes
to take effect.
If the Envisage Memory Availability bar decreases to a small amount, other options may not
have enough memory available to run. Leave Default values until a higher setting is required.
Installing Vulcan
11
Tutorial 1.6
Select the DEFAULT_1024 layout and set the plotter scale units to Imperial.
In Vulcan there are several layouts each with a different resolution size, however, it is advisable
to select default_1024. The three different layouts are:
Default - Standard screen layout.
Classic - Resembles older versions of Vulcan.
Maxgraphic - Maximises the graphics display area.
The layout can be changed using the Tools > Layout > Import and are stored in
C:\ProgramFiles\Vulcan\etc\defaults.
Use the dropdown menu to
select the correct
layout for your
screen resolution
size.
12
1 Getting Started
To change the layout and Plotting Scale Units, delete the Vulcan.prefs files in
C:\Documents and Settings\User Name. However, deleting these files will delete the
user preferences.
Tutorial 1.7
Select the DEFAULT_1024 layout and set the plotter scale units to Imperial.
Project Details
A project file (.dg1) must be selected each time Envisage is started. This file contains the
project code, coordinate information for the project and the units to be used.
Installing Vulcan
13
A code added to secondary files and an abbreviation for the company name.
Maximum of four characters can be used.
Leave as default
14
1 Getting Started
Tutorial 1.8
Create a new .dg1 file using the information provided below:
Start File Name: training.dg1
Project Prefix: THOR
Environment Prefix: KRJA
Easting: 75,500 / 79,500
Northing: 2,500 / 6,000
Level: 0 / 300
Coordinate Unit: Metre
15
2 User Interface
Vulcan Work Area
In this chapter we will look at features of the Vulcan user interface and how to customise it.
Main menu
Menu toolbars
Explorer window
Status bar
Primary window
Report window
Windows toolbar
Application bar
17
Work area
Floating toolbar
Floating window
18
2 User Interface
Primary Window
The Primary window is the default 3D design window as defined by the coordinate extents in
your .dg1 file. By default, the Primary window is confined to the client area of the work area.
Close contents
Print contents
Save contents
Clear contents
Figure 2-4: Report window
19
Other tabs can sometimes appear when other applications are running, such as Grid Calc or the
Block Model Utility. The text based results can be copied and pasted into other applications.
Highlight the text, right-click and select Copy from the context menu.
Status Bar
The Status bar displays information relating to the current application:
Prompt Displays the prompts relating to the current menu option being used.
Coordinates Displays the coordinates of the mouse pointer location on-screen.
Function Displays the current options menu tag.
Design Database Displays the currently open design database.
Application Bar
The visible icons on the Application bar correspond to Vulcan Envisage, Explorer window,
Report window and Vulcan help.
Envisage
Vulcan
Explorer
Show Properties
Window
Start Vulcan
Help
Report
Window
Start
Application
They can be closed by clicking the X at the top of each and reopened from the Window menu.
The T Shell option will open a new shell window, where commands and scripts can be
executed.
20
2 User Interface
21
Child
toolbar
Figure 2-9: Child toolbar
Several icons have three points in the bottom right-hand corner. Right-click the icon to display a
properties dialog box, which provides additional options used in conjunction with the icon.
Moving Toolbars
Toolbars may either be docked in the window or float on the desktop.
Minimising a toolbar:
1. Click the blue arrow above the toolbars to minimise the entire row.
2. Click again to maximise the toolbars.
Floating a toolbar:
1. Position your mouse pointer over the double lines at the start of the toolbar.
2. Double-click or hold your left button on the double lines and drag the toolbar to the
desired location.
Docking a toolbar:
1. Position your mouse pointer over the title bar at the top of the toolbar window.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag the toolbar to the desired docking space, a preview rectangle will appear to show
you where the toolbar is going to dock. Or double-click on the title bar on the toolbar
window and it will be docked in its last dock position.
Tutorial 2.1
Practise docking and un-docking toolbars.
22
2 User Interface
Customising Vulcan
The Tools menu contains options for customising your work area. For instance, you can create
customised toolbars, allocate keyboard shortcuts, import and export user layouts. Preferences
can be set to control display options, such as colour, position of dialog boxes and appearance
of the background.
Toolbars
There are two types of toolbars used in Vulcan - menu toolbars and window toolbars. For
frequently used commands, it is ideal to customise a toolbar containing these options.
23
Rightclick and
select
Rename
to name
your new
toolbar.
The [*] New SubMenu and [*] New Toolbar at the bottom of the right dialog box are always
present by default, and can not be deleted.
4. Click OK to display the new toolbar as a floating toolbar. If a menu command has a
shortcut icon associated with it, then the icon will display in the toolbar in place of the
menu command name.
5. Save the new toolbar by typing the name in the Save Workbench Customisations
dialog box.
6. Tick Set as Default to automatically load the toolbar next time Vulcan is started. The
.vwc file is saved in the current project folder (or other nominated directory using the
Browse button) under the naming convention <customise file name>.vwc.
7. Save the position of your custom toolbar in the work area using Tools > Layout > Save.
To make efficient use of the work area, menu command items can be shown as submenus in the
toolbar. This ensures that the menu commands display in a vertical listing, however an
additional mouse click is required to access them.
24
2 User Interface
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts allow you to quickly execute menu commands. Similar to customising
toolbars, keyboard shortcuts can be customised to execute commonly used commands.
Context Menus
Context menus are popup menus that display when you right-click on an object or blank space
in Vulcan.
There are separate context menu options for the following:
Line
Polygon
Triangulation
Underlay
Drillhole
Points
25
Preferences
Use Tools > Preferences to modify the appearance of the work area and set defaults.
The most commonly used preferences are:
Setting Default Rotate Mode (under Tools > Preferences > Graphics > Input).
Reverse wheel zoom direction (under Tools > Preferences > Graphics > Input).
Text Defaults (Tools > Preferences > Defaults > 2D Text and 3D Text).
Remote Directories (under Tools > Preferences > Workbench > Vulcan Explorer).
26
2 User Interface
Colours
The Preferences dialog box under Colours allows you to modify the existing colour table or
use the colour button on the Status toolbar to edit colour tables.
Select File > Colour Table > Colours to edit the current colour palette.
Colours can be edited manually or automatically.
27
28
2 User Interface
Green Lock
A green lock indicates a .dgd is open.
Orange Lock
Indicates system failure or corrupted design database.
To limit potential loss of data the database should be recovered immediately.
WARNING
If everyone on a
server crashes at the
same time, everyone
will be able to
recover their data so
long as the recovery
steps are followed by
one person at a time.
If everyone attempts
to recover at the
same time, data will
be permanently lost.
Red Lock
Indicates the .dgd is currently in use by another user.
Tutorial 2.2
Ensure you have a green lock on a .dgd.
29
Tutorial 2.3
Start Vulcan Help and read about a menu option.
30
2 User Interface
3 Viewing Data
Viewing and Animating Data
Loading and Removing Data
Layers, triangulations and other files can be loaded using the menu options or the Vulcan
Explorer Window. When files are loaded, the name appears in bold.
31
Open icon
Tutorial 3.1
Practise loading and removing the TR_TQ1 layer.
32
3 Viewing Data
When viewing data in a neutral situation, it is possible to zoom in or out using the middle
mouse button and the right mouse button simultaneously. A circle (overlay) will
temporarily appear on-screen; dragging the cursor towards the circle will zoom out and
moving away from the circle centre will zoom in.
When in virtual sphere rotate mode, the [S] key from the keyboard may be used to
activate zoom in/out.
If the Zoom toolbar is loaded in the work area, use either the plus or minus keys to zoom
in and out. These toolbar icons use a zooming factor of 1.25 and 0.8 respectively.
Zoom To Toolbar
The Zoom Data Extents icon will set the zoom value to allow all graphics to be displayed in the
Primary window.
If zooming to a specific object(s) is desired, highlight the object(s) and select the Zoom
Highlighted icon under the zoom data extents child toolbar. To zoom to the active layer select
the Zoom Current Layer icon under the zoom data extents fly out toolbar. Click Reset View on
the graphics toolbar to return the Primary window to plan view.
Zoom Data Extents icon
Zoom Highlighted
Zoom Current Layer
Reset View button
Figure 3-5: Zoom Data Extents menu
Panning
Panning is accomplished in a variety of ways:
Clicking on the Pan icon. Once active, use the left mouse button to click a From point
and click a To point to pan in the graphics window
.
Pan icon
Figure 3-6: Pan icon
Alternatively, for those with a 3-button mouse, the middle and left mouse buttons can be
held down simultaneously and the cursor moved to pan across the data.
Right-click to cancel out of panning mode.
Hitting the [P] key on the keyboard will activate the panning icon.
Panning can also be accomplished by zooming in and out with the middle mouse wheel
and moving the location of the cursor.
The arrow keys on the keyboard may be used to pan up, down, right and left.
33
Ortho Sphere Rotation - Rotates about the three principal axes (X, Y and Z) by using a
different mouse button for each axis. This mode can also rotate around vertical [V], in the
plane of the screen [W], and perpendicular to the screen [U] by using the respective keys.
Virtual Sphere Rotation - Very similar to Z-Up however, the Z axis is not fixed. Left-click
and drag the mouse to rotate.
Z-Up Rotation - The Z axis is always up. Left-click and drag the mouse to rotate. This
mode also ensures that the horizon remains horizontal when viewing topographical data.
Ortho Rotation - This is a combination of Virtual Sphere and Ortho Sphere modes. The
axes are displayed in different colours. As you move the mouse over the sphere you will
notice that the cursor changes from a hand to the Ortho Sphere Rotation icon. The hand
cursor indicates that Virtual Sphere Rotation will be used, whereas the rotate ortho cursor
indicates that ortho rotation will be used.
If the cursor is moved rapidly before the mouse is released, the graphics will continue to rotate.
Furthermore, the speed of the rotation then depends on the relative cursor speed before release
for example, the force of the throw. Left-click once to stop the rotation or press the [F] key. If
using Z-Up or Virtual Sphere, click [SHIFT+V] to display a virtual sphere on-screen.
34
3 Viewing Data
Tutorial 3.2
Try all four rotate modes and select the most comfortable option.
Tip!
The speed of rotation
is controlled by the
distance the cursor
is away from the
centre of rotation. To
decrease the rotation
speed, move the
cursor away from the
centre of rotation
and describe a wide
arc. To speed up the
rotation, move the
cursor in a tight
circle around the
centre point.
Each user can specify a default rotate mode via Tools > Preferences on the Input tab.
Input tab
Tutorial 3.3
Set your favourite rotate mode as the default
To exit rotation mode press [ENTER] or [ESC] or simultaneously click all three mouse buttons.
Further rotations in the current session (fourth icon on the Graphics toolbar) will remember the
rotation centre until such time as another centre is specified.
This window also has its own toolbar for zooming, panning and rotating as well as buttons
controlling visibility, solid shading, translucency and textures of triangulations. It is also
equipped with a modified Digitise toolbar.
35
Tutorial 3.4
Load an Overview Window and zoom in/out in the main window. Ensure you see the blue
lines change in the Overview Window as you zoom.
Perspective View
Perspective View switches to a mode where the data displays in an isometric perspective. This
is ideal for visualisation of topographic models. Perspective mode may be toggled on and off by
clicking the Perspective View icon or by pressing the [V] key.
Perspective View
Using Zoom in Perspective View mode, will behave differently from zooming in normal view.
When zooming in perspective mode, three boxes are displayed to help you visualise the
zooming process. All objects inside the smallest box will still be visible after the zoom. All
objects outside the largest box will not be visible after the zoom. Objects between these two
boxes may be visible, but it depends upon the depth of the zoom.
The middle box represents the user-defined area.
36
3 Viewing Data
In the above example, the data closest to the viewer appears to be distorted by the perspective.
In actuality, all tunnels are of the same cross-sectional size. Perspective View mode is a
visualisation tool only and is not recommended for normal digitising work.
Tutorial 3.5
Turn Perspective View on. Try zooming, panning, or rotating and pick out differences
between being in regular view and Perspective View.
Turn off Perspective View.
37
Tip!
When you use
Perspective View,
open an Overview
window to display a
perspective pyramid.
The apex of the
pyramid is the
viewing point and
the pyramid itself
defines the depth of
view. Data not within
the pyramid overlay
will not be visible in
the Primary window.
Other Views
The on-screen view can be changed in several ways using the View menu.
The most common tools are:
View > Change View > Set View - Enables you to select a centre of the screen (Axis
position) and specify the rotations around the X, Y, and Z axes.
View > Change View > Vertical Exaggeration - Enables you to enter a vertical
exaggeration. This exaggeration will have an effect until the Reset View icon is used, and
then will be re-set to an exaggeration of one.
Reset View
View > Windows > Fit Layer - Will generate a new, temporary window for the
coordinates of a nominated layer.. This is useful if the data is located in a different
coordinate system or far away from the standard coordinate system.
38
3 Viewing Data
Visibility
Vulcan has two visibility toolbars, Visibility and PRIMARY:Visibilty. The Visibility toolbar
is located under View > Visibility and can be used with the current window. The
PRIMARY:Visibilty toolbar is associated with its parent window and can not be used with
other windows.
A parent
window
PRIMARY:
Visibility
PRIMARY:Visibility Toolbar
Click the Make Objects Visible icon (or press [SHIFT+V]) to turn shadowed or invisible
objects visible.
Click the Make Objects Shadowed icon (or press [SHIFT+S]) to make visible or invisible
objects shadowed.
Click the Make Objects Shadowed icon to make all invisible objects shadowed. The
visible objects are displayed normally.
Click the Make Objects Invisible icon to make visible or shadowed objects invisible.
To make a layer in which the object resides visible, shadowed or invisible, press and hold the
[SHIFT] key while selecting the object. However, you can not snap to an object that is
shadowed or invisible. Right-click to exit all commands.
39
40
3 Viewing Data
The Create Section dialog box is broken down into four areas:
Section Type - Defines the window and objects to slice through.
The option Create or Replace the windows primary section is used by default.
However, the view will change to display according to the specifications made in
the dialog box.
If Create a section through all objects or Create a section through a single
object are used, the view will not be realigned until the align icon from the Slice
Properties toolbar (Graphics subtoolbar) is selected. These are referred to as nonprimary sections.
Align View icon
Primary Section Shadows - Used to show the next and last sections as shadows in user
selected colours.
Clipping Planes - Sets up section thickness, step size and grid spacing.
Select Plane By - Used to define the section plane using, a line segment, 2 points, 3
points, a Guided centre line, an Easting, a Northing, or a Level. If 2 or 3 points are
used, standard snap modes can be used to define these points.
41
Tutorial 3.6
Create a section view with a clipping width of 25 on either side of the section.
Make your step size 50.
Select the plane by 2 points and click anywhere along the topo triangulation.
Where multiple non-primary sections have been created, the clipping width of each individual
section is influenced by the others. A fail-safe way to have the current section obey the clipping
criteria (on the Slice toolbar), is to set all of the non-current sections to No Clipping.
42
3 Viewing Data
Slice Backwards
Slice Forward
Tip!
The colour of this
grid plane display
and optionally, the
coordinate
annotation, is set in
the Create Section
dialog box using the
Display colour
palette.
The Clip Translucent Solids icon allows the clipping of translucent triangulations. By
default, this function is On. The section plane underlay is similar in appearance to 2D
coordinate gridlines; it can, however, be displayed in non-orthogonal planes. Refer to the
example (below) where the slicing plane (red) is on an oblique section.
43
The section plane is displayed in red; the coordinate grid is displayed in blue as a contrast.
Polygons are displayed at the section plane where the coloured triangulations intersect the
section. The colour of these intersection profiles is set in the Tools > Preferences > Graphics >
Colours preference for label colour.
Tutorial 3.7
Move up and down through the sections and become familiar with getting in and out of
section view. These tools will be used again after drillholes are created.
44
3 Viewing Data
Line
Spline Ellipse
Arc
Point Polygon
Rectangle
2D
Arrow
Grid
2D
Text Feature
3D
Arrow
3D
Text
Symbol
Before digitising, a layer must be allocated (created) into the current design that will be
saved. After the layer is created, objects in the Vulcan Envisage 3D window can be
digitised.
Points are created by indicating their X,Y and Z location in 3D space using the mouse
cursor. Line segments can be created between these digitised points. These lines can be
connected to create polygons.
Rectangular polygons can be created using Design > Create > Rectangle. Select a
bottom left and a top right corner to define the rectangle. Curves can also be
automatically created using the spline, arc and ellipse commands.
Any CAD data that is closed, such as polygons and circles, can be filled with a pattern. To
add a pattern right-click on the object, select properties and choose a pattern.
When creating polygons, it is not necessary to digitise the closing segment as this will be
created using the shortest distance between the first and last points digitised.
When digitising, if a mistake is made use the backspace key to undo the last digitised
point. If however, right-click has been used to cancel out of the menu option, the point
edit menus should be used to move/delete the points.
Undo/redo functionality can be used to undo an entire object rather than just a point.
Tutorial 4.1
45
6. On the Circular Arc dialog box, select the Centre and Radius option (used to allow
the centre and radius of the curve to be selected in the Envisage window).
7. Choose an Arc length step size of 20. A circle or arc is defined by a series of small
line segments. The Arc length step size defines the length of these line segments.
8. Click OK.
9. In Envisage, digitise a centre point and a radius point and select Accept.
You can choose to label objects by adding arrows and text for 2D display (for labelling in plan
view) or 3D arrow and text (for labelling in multiple planes). Use Design > Create > Arrow 2D or
Design > Create > Arrow 3D to create arrows in 2D or 3D.
Symbols can also be chosen for use in the design and stored in the symbol database
symbols.dgd.sis. Vulcan contains a symbol database found in the Vulcan Explorer window
under the Resources tab. This database contains some standard symbols for oil and gas wells.
Custom (user-defined) symbols can also be created. Symbols from this database can readily be
added to a design layer using the Design > Create > Symbol option. In addition to points, lines,
polygons, and curves, the Design > Create menu can be used to create arrows, text and
symbols.
Custom Symbols are created using the menu File > Symbols > New, which are digitised using
the standard Vulcan CAD tools.
Features present an additional way to characterise an object. The object is assigned a feature
attribute. More on this functionality is discussed in a subsequent chapter.
46
Tutorial 4.3
CAD Creation - More Object Types
1. Create a new layer using Design > Create > Layer.
2. In the Layer field, type DESIGN2.
3. Add a Description.
4. Click OK.
5. Select Design > Create > Arc.
6. Select both options Centre and Radius and Radius and set the diameter to 10.
7. Click OK.
8. When prompted, indicate the centre point.
9. Right-click to exit the command.
10. Select Design > Create > Rectangle.
11. Once a rectangle is created, add texture using Design > Create > Polygon Textured.
12. Right-click to exit all commands.
Snap Modes
The Snap Mode buttons are located on the Digitise window toolbar.
Indicate
Snap Snap
To
To
Points Grids
Snap To
Objects
47
48
49
Tip!
When a point, line or
polygon is created,
Vulcan remembers
the coordinates of
the last created or
selected point when
you use relative
values they are
calculated from the
last point entered or
selected in Vulcan.
Bearing Input
Use Bearing Input to create new points at specified angles and distance from the last designed
point in digitising when in mode (point, line and polygon).
You can create a new point using:
Distance and angle - Use to create a point at a given angle and to a specified distance.
Angle - Use to create a point at a given angle.
Distance - Use to create a point at a specified distance and direction.
.
Tip!
Bearing values can
be converted in
Vulcan using the
toggle buttons in the
Bearing Input dialog
box.
50
Tutorial 4.5
Use Bearing Input and Keyboard Input dialog boxes to create the shape shown below (in
red) in a new layer named CAD_INPUTS.
Angles may be entered in percent (%), decimal degrees (dd), degrees.minutes.seconds (dms) or
in gradients. If the input point is to be at a specified screen angle, then the Angle field must be
filled out. A specific distance may be entered into the Distance field once the Enter distance
box has been checked.
The specified distance can be either positive or negative. A positive distance is defined by
looking at the point order of the reference line. Walking from point one to point two, to the right
is positive, to the left is negative.
Before the Angle Input toolbar can be used a reference line must be selected. If no reference
line has been selected, a default reference line with zero azimuth will be used. To select a
reference line, click the Get Line button and select the desired line segment. Once a line
segment has been selected as a reference line, both the origin and direction of the line are
stored in memory for as long as the current session of Vulcan is open.
Options At specified screen angle, Parallel to given line on screen and Parallel to given line
in 3D will create a new point in the same direction as the reference segment. The option
Perpendicular to given line on screen will create a new point 90 degrees to the right of the
original direction of the reference segment.
51
Note:
If using the At
specified screen
angle option and a
line segment is not
specified, Vulcan
may measure the
desired angle from
the last digitised
point rather than
from north.
The Angle Input option will only work if you are in a menu option that prompts for a point
coordinate (for example, Design > Create > Point).
Tutorial 4.6
Use Bearing Input, Angle Input and Keyboard Input dialog boxes to draw the shape
shown below (in purple) in layer CAD_INPUTS.
Tutorial 4.7
1. Create a new layer named REFERENCE_POINT.
2. Digitise a point: X:77800, Y:5000, Z:200
3. Draw a polygon (as shown below).
52
Use this option to trace portions of objects without clicking on each point in the existing
polygon for tracing contours, pit and orebody outlines. If the track section is tracing the line or
polygon the wrong way, hold down the space bar and move the mouse to trace the opposite
way. In order to use the track section option, a menu option must be active, such as drawing a
line, or polygon. In the picture below, a line is being drawn (in green) and then a contour line is
traced (in black).
Tutorial 4.8
1. Load layer TRACK_SECTION on-screen.
2. Create a polygon that traces around all four lines in the loaded layer.
3. Add polygon to a new layer named TRACK_SECTION_POLYGON.
Text
Using Fonts
There are two types of text in Vulcan, 2D text and 3D text. 2D text is always oriented in plan
view. 3D text however, can be in any user defined plane.
Text
53
Text fonts are stored in Resources1 as .font files if missing, the text will not appear.
Furthermore, if the environment variables TEMP and TMP are not set up correctly, the text dropdown lists will be blank. 2D and 3D text defaults can be set in Tools > Preferences.
.
Tutorial 4.9
Select Tools > Preference and turn off text defaults for both 2D and 3D text.
2D Text
There are several different 2D fonts.
Fixed Fonts - Remains the same size on-screen. Fixed fonts are always horizontal and
legible, no matter how the screen is rotated (or zoomed) and are ideal for drillhole
labelling or on-screen labelling. Do not use for plotting as it is difficult to determine the
text size on the actual plot.
54
Scaled Font - Resizes as the screen zooms in and out. For example, it is a particular size
at a particular scale. The text is only legible in plan view.
Basic Scaled Font - Appears on-screen and can be converted to a true type font.
Vector Fonts - Fonts supplied with Vulcan will resize as you zoom in and out. These fonts
are a particular size at a particular scale. The text is only legible in plan view.
Creating 2D text:
1. Select Design > Create > Create Text.
2. When prompted, indicate the direction of the text.
3. Select Design > Text Edit to edit text and text attributes.
Right-click on any text and select properties for more text options.
Tutorial 4.10
1. Create a layer name practice_test layer.
2. Add three separate 2D text objects using:
A fixed font.
A scaled font.
A vector font.
3. Apply a true type font to the scaled text.
4. In the boundary layer, label the boundary polygon with your name and todays date.
Ensure the text is a reasonable size and is easy to read.
Text
55
3D Text
Unlike 2D text, all 3D text is grouped into one group. Available fonts are listed; they are similar to
the vector fonts of 2D text. 3D text is a particular size at a particular scale, and therefore
becomes larger and smaller with zooming.
56
Tip!
To ensure text is in
the correct plane, it
is recommended to
create a section view
in the plane you want
text to appear prior
to creating it. This
guarantees the text
is in the exact plane.
If you manually
rotate to the view
you want, it may not
be exact and the text
will end up floating
apart from where it
should be.
In Vulcan, you can use 3D text to mirror the text. Use the mirror horizontal and vertical options
to get the text to face the correct way.
1. Select Design > Create > Create 3D Text.
2. When prompted, indicate text origin and direction.
3. Select Design > Text 3D Edit to edit the text or text size.
The text can be edited using the right-click function, although text properties (such
as size and font) must be edited by using the options in the Text 3D Edit menu.
The limits for 3D text are 132 characters per line with a maximum of 60 lines.
Tutorial 4.11
1. Create 3D text in a practice_test layer using various rotations to get a feel for how
3D text works.
2. Label the warehouse in the plane of the roof.
3. Set up 2D and 3D text defaults in Tools > Preferences.
Text
57
These menus have been separated from the first three menus because they apply to a specific
class of object, for example a polygon, or they perform similar tasks such as inserting points.
Layer Edits
The Design > Layer Edit menu has commands for layer editing.
Table 1: Layer Edit commands
Editing Tools
Command
Definition
Identify
Name
Copy
Copies information from one layer to another. You must allocate a layer
and then select the CAD data. All information in the layer will be greyed
out when selected.
Delete
Transfer
Transfers data from one layer to another. The destination layer can be
created on the fly or can already exist.
Unify
Unites any number of loaded objects from any layer to form one object
into a new or existing layer. The merged objects in the layer will replace
the objects that were chosen for the unification (objects will be removed
from the layers). If planning to use the independent objects later, then
create a copy of the original design data.
59
Tip!
All options in Vulcan
will prompt in the
lower left hand
corner (as well as the
top of the screen) for
selections and
actions. Follow these
prompts when
figuring out a new
menu option.
Command
Definition
Make Current
Use to set the current drawing layer. The layer name selected will appear
in the layer window of the status bar. Alternatively, use the toolbar to
select the current layer to draw in.
Multi Object
Filter
Filters duplicate objects from layers. Matching objects can be recognised using any combination of point or object attributes, such as point,
or object name or point sequence. The duplicated objects can be
deleted, or all unique objects can be placed into a new layer.
Tutorial 5.1
Transfer the boundary polygon from the REFERENCE_POINT layer into a layer named
BOUNDARY.
Object Edits
The Design > Object Edit option and associated tools allow you to perform edits to objects
loaded in Vulcan Envisage.
Table 2: Object Editing tools
60
Command
Definition
Identify
Delete
Deletes objects.
Delete By Poly
Editing Tools
Command
Definition
Clip by Poly
Deletes points outside and inside selected polygons and relimits them
to the edge of the polygon. Trimmed object lines will be flush with the
selected polygon.
Trim
Cuts and trims lines to a nominated object so that they are flush with
the object. This is similar to the AutoCAD trim function.
Drag
Offset
Split
Intersection Split
Splits a line into two or more separate objects at the points of intersection between the original line and another line. This option will assume
that the data is in plan view. However, neither of the lines needs to have
a constant Z level. The difference between the Intersection Split option
and the Split option is that the latter only allows you to split a line into
used strings.
Paste
Takes a whole string (entire object) and inserts it into another string. For
comparison, the Join Lines option allows only two strings to be joined
end to end.
Join Point
Select points within an object to join. The joined points will form a separate object.
Join Lines
Coalesce
Reverse
Reverses a point sequence (point number) of an object. Vulcan recognises the order in which objects are drawn for applying other functions.
This is particularly useful when digitising pits, dumps and fault strings.
Reverse
Advanced
61
Definition
Sort
62
Consistent
Point Name
Connection
Cross Check
Inserts points at intersections/crossings of selected objects. The intersection points are drawn in a new layer, not inserted into either object.
Grid Snap
(The display grid must be turned on for this option to work.) Use to
snap each point on an object to the closest point on the grid. When
snapping text objects, the text will be moved to the closest point on the
grid plane, beneath the cursor and the angle of the text set to the closest 90 quadrant of the grid.
Filter
Register
Definition
Z Value
W Tag
Changes the W tag value for all points on an object to the value entered
into the dialog box.
Grade
Deletes the last point on the object; the last point is determined by the
point sequence. Deleting the end point of a polygon will maintain the
closed polygon but will change its shape.
Explode
Transform
Several examples of how the Object Edit functions work are shown below. The options are
easy to understand by following the prompts and reading the associated dialog boxes.
Registering an object:
1. Load layers TOP_PIT and topo.00t triangulation on-screen.
If you hover the cursor over the TOP_PIT layer, you will notice at the bottom of the
Vulcan screen that it has a Z elevation of zero. If the triangulation is solid shaded and you
are in plan view, you will not be able to see the layer without rotating the display or
making the triangulation transparent.
Editing Tools
63
6. When prompted to select object, choose the line on the upper left.
7. Pick point 1 as the start point and point 2 as the end point.
8. The Gradient dialog box will be displayed. Use a gradient of 20 for this exercise. We will
not apply a constant length to the grade.
9. Click OK.
10. You will be prompted to Retain or Reject the graded object. Select to Retain the grade.
You can continue selecting objects for editing. Pick the upper middle line.
11. Pick point 2 as the start point and point 3 as the end point.
12. Enter a gradient of 20 again.
13. A Confirm menu will be displayed. Select Move points following the end point, which
assigns new X, Y and Z coordinates to all points following the end point, in such a way
that the gradients following the end point are not changed.
14. Select to Retain the grade.
15. Pick the upper right line.
16. Pick point 2 as the start point and point 3 as the end point.
17. Enter a gradient of 20.
18. The Confirm menu will be displayed. Select the Do not move following points option.
64
19. Select to Retain the grade. The objects should look like those shown above.
5. Apply a 2D Filter with a Minimum deviation from the line of 0.1. The filtered line will be
displayed in grey, and you will be prompted to Retain or Reject the filter.
6. Zoom in close enough to view the filtered points. If the new object is acceptable, select
Retain filter. Output from the filtering process will be displayed in the Report window.
Editing Tools
65
Note:
If you have an object
with X, Y, Z values
such as shells, select
the 3D Filter option.
This option will allow
you to specify the
deviation from the
line and will filter X,
Y, Z values, whereas
the 2D Filter will not
change the Z value.
If you are filtering
topographic lines,
this option will not
affect the Z values as
each object has only
one unique Z value.
Tutorial 5.2
Register the polygon in the BOUNDARY layer to the topo triangulation as shown below.
Tutorial 5.3
Load the 50_METER_LINES layer on-screen. Use any of the options in the Object Edit
menus to cut the lines back so that they exist only within the boundary polygon as shown in
the following figure.
66
Point Edits
The Design > Point Edit option and associated tools allow you to edit points loaded in Vulcan
Envisage. Each of these tools can also be found in the Modify toolbar and associated
subtoolbars.
Table 3: Point Edit Tools
Editing Tools
Command
Definition
Resequence
Move
Move to
Intersection
Grid Snap
Name
Z Edit
W Tag
Sets a fourth parameter for a specific point, with the other three parameters being X, Y and Z.
Weight Point
Values
Weights point values (X, Y and Z, and W) by the distance from a reference point, another point value in the same coordinate, or a constant
value.
Register
Symbol
Colour by
Attribute
Remove
Attribute
Colouring
Delete
Delete Duplicate
67
Note:
When selecting
points along the line
of an object, it is
best to select along
the line near the
point, not on the
point, to ensure that
the desired point is
accurately selected.
Command
Definition
Disconnect
Connect
Link
Creates new strings by linking existing strings within a user defined distance of one another. The original strings remain unchanged.
Cut
Append
Best Fit
Creates a line of best fit between points using the least squares
method. The string will be replaced by the line of best fit; if your points
are not connected, then the points will be replaced by the start and end
points of the best fit line.
Move By
Distance
Moves a point to a specified distance along a line. This line is the line
joining the point that you want to move and a reference point, which
does not need to exist prior to this operation.
Move By Point
Move By Line
68
4. When prompted, indicate the new point location by clicking on the desired location onscreen.
You can move more points or right-click twice to exit the command.
All snap modes can be used when moving points. If indicate is on, then the Z elevation of the
point that is moved will change to the default Z elevation. Holding down the shift key while
moving a point in indicate mode will allow it to keep its original Z value. Options in Tool >
Preferences on the Input dialog box allow the user to change how Z elevations of points are
handled.
Editing Tools
69
Point Insert
The Design > Point Insert option and associated tools allow you to insert points into various
types of objects (lines, polygons).
Table 4: Point Insert Tools
Command
Definition
Insert
Replace String
Selects a start point and end point of the replace and allows the user to
digitise where the new points should go, thus replacing a piece of the
string.
Plane Insert
Insert at
Intersection
Multi-Insert at
Intersection
Insert At
Distance
Interpolate
Inserts points into a single line segment (between any two points)
based on distance between points or number of equal parts.
Measure
Apply Curve
Intersection At
Elevation
Intersection With
Triangulation
Replacing a string:
70
5. Click on where the new points should go beginning at the S (start) and working toward
the F (Finish).
6. Right-click once all the points have been inserted.
7. Right-click to exit the command.
You will be prompted to Interpolate or Do not interpolate. This will change the Z values
of your digitised points.
8. From the Replace String menu, select either Retain, Reject or Cancel.
9. Right-click to exit the command.
Tutorial 5.5
1. Load layer TRACK_SECTION_POLYGON and EXTENSION.
2. Modify the polygon in the TRACK_SECTION_POLYGON layer to include the object in
the extension layer as shown below.
Original
Modified
3. Using various CAD tools you have learned, draw a polygon as outlined below with
reference to the boundary polygon. This will serve as the base of our warehouse.
Ensure this polygon is in layer WAREHOUSE.
Editing Tools
71
4. Register this polygon onto the topo triangulation. Use a lowest point registration so
that the base of the polygon stays flat.
Moving Data
The Move toolbar contains various tools to change the position of objects. The toolbar can be
turned on under Tools > Toolbar Visibility, making sure the check box for Move is selected.
The Move toolbar is also a subtoolbar on the Modify toolbar.
Move subtoolbar
The most common moving command is Translate (Design > Transformation > Translate). It is
used to specify a start point (reference point) for the movement and then the translation point
(destination). The selected objects are then moved the distance and direction between the
reference point and destination point. Since moving of the object(s) is based solely on distance
and direction of the reference point and destination point, they can be specified anywhere onscreen, not necessarily snapping to the data.
72
Tip!
Use the Input
options (keyboard,
bearing, and angle)
in the Digitise toolbar
to specify exact
coordinate locations
to move a design
object. The user can
also specify a
relative distance for
the movement.
Drag
Use Design > Object Edit > Drag to select the design object that needs to be moved. The
object is dragged by left-clicking and holding the mouse button as it is moved to the desired
position. When the object has been moved, the user will be required to confirm the Move, or to
generate a Copy of the object to this location.
Editing Tools
73
Tip!
You can also drag 2D
text objects and
choose to either
Move or make a
Copy of the text to
the new location.
Another useful command to move objects can be accessed by right-clicking on the loaded
design object. The context menu contains an option that is also called Move. You will see the
movement of the object on-screen and left-clicking once places the object in the desired
location.
Other commands in the Move toolbar are briefly described below:
Table 5: Move Toolbar Tools
Command
Definition
Snaps all points in an object onto the closest point on the grid
plane, beneath the cursor. Text objects can also be grid-snapped.
To snap objects, a grid must be displayed on-screen.
Design >
Transformation >
Matrix
Design >
Transformation >
Rotate 2D
Tutorial 5.7
Create a line for the top of the warehouse roof as shown below. The line should divide the
roof into two equal parts.
74
Tutorial 5.8
Change the Z elevation of this roof line to be three metres higher than the upper polygon.
Editing Tools
75
6 CAD Introduction
Data Attributes
In addition to having a hierarchy for .dgd, layers, and objects, each object has other associated
properties to classify or group information and simplify data selection with the Select By menu.
The following properties are associated with each object.
Layer Name
Value
Layer Description
Group
Object Name
Primitive
Object Description
Feature
Information
To get information on the properties listed above for any object on-screen, use the information
icon located on the Status toolbar.
Information icon
The layer and object names appear first on their respective lines; information in parentheses ( )
provides the layer and object descriptions.
Changing Attributes
To change attribute information use one of the following commands:
Table 1: Attribute Information
Data Attributes
Property
Layer Name
Layer Description
77
Object Name
Object Description
Value
Group
Primitive
Groups
Groups are created by selecting objects and setting their group property to a common value.
Objects may be selected within single or multiple layers. By taking advantage of the group
property you can work on a number of otherwise un-related objects simultaneously.
Select Design > Attribute Edit > Group by Attribute to group different objects by their
graphical attributes such as colour, line type, pattern or object value. Specify attributes by
which to display objects in the Group by Attribute dialog box.
The following selection boxes (Colour, Line Type, Pattern, and Value) allow you to specify the
selection criteria. Use the information icon to check that the grouping worked correctly.
78
6 CAD Introduction
Tutorial 6.1
1. Load the CONTOURS layer on-screen.
2. Group the contour lines into MINOR and MAJOR groups. Even level contours (100,105)
are major contours. Once the data has been grouped, hide all minor contours to show
only majors on-screen.
Features
A feature is a predetermined set of attributes, such as colour, line type or pattern. A feature
must first be set up before it can be applied to data.
Setting up Features
Feature objects are created by using the Design > Feature Edit > Create menu option. Multiple
features can be created (up to 512) and are stored in a <project prefix>.ftd file in the
current working folder.
Note:
When specifying a
feature name, the
word SYMBOL can
not be used.
Data Attributes
The attributes, which are set for a feature, can be set as follows:
Table 2: Attributes for features
Attribute
Definition
Current
Prompt
For when a feature is being used for values. The text entered to
describe the feature in the dialog box will appear in the prompt
when using a feature. For example, the name Surveyor Name is
the prompt for Object Name, however, the pop up dialog box will
say Surveyor Name.
Force
Automatically forces this property with the feature entered into the
dialog box.
79
80
6 CAD Introduction
X, Y, Z and W values.
Point Names
Digitising Modes For digitising points on-screen.
Tutorial 6.2
Set up two features, one for toe lines and one for crest lines using the following guidelines.
Data Attributes
Toes
Crest
Layer Name
Object Name
Colour
Green
Red
Group
Toe
Crest
81
Tutorial 6.3
Load the TOES_AND_CRESTS layer. Assign the Toe feature to the toe strings, and the Crest
feature to the crest strings.
Original
With features
If creating new data, select Design > Create > Feature. Select the feature and then digitise
points on-screen. Based on the set up in the feature, a polygon, line, or points will be drawn onscreen with properties as specified in the feature.
Tutorial 6.4
Create a new layer named SURVEY and using the features created, draw a toe and a crest
line.
Features can automatically be applied when importing data from .csv files.
In Vulcan you can change the visibility settings of feature objects. Objects that share a common
feature can be made visible, invisible or shadowed. The Primary window visibility toolbar
contains the feature visibility icons:
Visible by Feature
Shadow by Feature
Invisible by Feature
The Design Visibility icon will prompt with the Select By menu and this enables groups or layers
to sort visibility. Alternatively, the feature visibility settings can be found under View > Visibility.
Design Visibility
82
6 CAD Introduction
Definition
Object
Layer
Group
Feature
Name
Tutorial 6.5
Practise using the visibility settings using both features and groups.
Data Attributes
83
85
86
3. Click OK. The Export to DXF Selection dialog box will display.
Click to add
multiple files
Files to store
output data
Press to add
files
Press to
remove files
The file name of the output file can be specified, and then the data will need to be selected off
the screen. Design data (CAD layers), grids, or triangulations can be exported.
87
3. Click OK. The ASCII Data Read Selection dialog box will display.
Two main types of data dispositions can be used when importing, Formatted and Character
separated. Characters separated are used for .csv files, as they are comma separated values.
When importing a number of files in the same format, the specification is saved without entering
data into the dialog box each time. For the first import, a specification file will not yet exist. At
the end of the import, there will be the option to save the specifications.
88
Tip!
To import .csv files
that contain point
data import into a
layer in Envisage,
use the option File >
Import > ASCII. Do
not use the option
File > Import > CSV
as this imports .csv
files into an Isis
database.
89
Tip!
If the program has
not been exited, the
fields will be
populated with the
data from the last
import, even if the
newly saved
specification file is
not used.
Click Finish and Save the import specifications for use with other files of the same format.
These specifications are saved to a file named asciiread.spc under Resources. Depending
whether the ENVIS_RESO environment variable has been set, the location of the Resources tab
may vary. By default it is C:\Program Files\Vulcan_v800\etc\resources.
Tutorial 7.1
Import the roads.csv file into a layer named ROADS.
Features can be used while importing an ASCII file saving time, as the properties of the
imported data will not need to be modified after import. In addition, features are specified on the
Object Records dialog box. Type the column number that defines the feature.
This will create either a .csv file or a .asc file with the nominated columns. Features such as X,
Y and Z coordinates point name, object and name can be exported. After the dialog box is filled
out, the data to export will need to be selected from the screen.
Tutorial 7.2
Create a .csv file of the boundary polygon. Include X, Y and Z and point number in the file.
90
3. Click OK. The Import Shape File dialog box will display.
4. Navigate to the file containing the shape file.
The shape file to be imported must have a main file (.shp), an index file, (.shx) and a
database table (.dbf). Each of these files will contain the same prefix. While these files
will reside in the same file folder, only import the shape file (.shp) that needs to be
imported.
5. Click OK.
91
92
8 Analysing Data
Data Information
Tools under the Analyse menus are used for obtaining information such as area and labels.
Analyse Toolbar
The Analyse toolbar (or Analyse > Details) is used to gather details of an object such,
coordinates of a point, distance between points, and distance along a line. More information is
found under Envisage : Toolbars : Analyse in the Vulcan Help.
Distance Along Line
Layer Range
Curvature
Coordinate
Angle
Distance
Polygon
Area
Area
Strike Full
& Dip
Centroid
Find Objects
List Object Details
Remove Labels
Coordinate
Use Coordinate to report the northing, easting and elevation of a point. A point can be an
existing point, selected using the snap to points button on the Digitise toolbar, a point on a line
picked with the snap to objects button, or a point digitised in space. The coordinates will be
displayed in the Report window.
Right-click once to exit the command.
Distance Between Points
The Distance Between Points option measures the linear distance between two designated
points, which not only is the distance reported, but also the difference in level, the bearing and
the gradient of the line between the two points. The total length reported will always be greater
than the plan length should the two points be on different levels.
Right-click once to exit the command.
Distance Along Line
The Distance Along Line option determines the total length of the line segments between the
nominated start and end points. It gives a 2D and 3D distance measured along the path of the
line segments. A quick way of determining or positioning an object at a specified location
distance and position is to use a custom cursor.
Right-click once to exit the command.
Data Information
93
The scaled cursor will change accordingly when zooming in or out. However, the fixed cursor
will not dynamically scale up or down but will remain the specified size.The specified size for the
cursor is from edge to edge of the cursor. For example, if Circle is checked as the Scaled
Cursor, then the specified size is the diameter of the circle.
Area
Use Area to define the section to be measured by drawing a polygon around the objects of
interest. The viewed layers must be in plan view, otherwise the user defined area will not
represent the area that is being measured. If the layers are in orthogonal view, the snap to point
or snap to object curser options can be used. Right-click to close the polygon and exit the
command. The output will be displayed in the Report window.
Polygon Area
Use Polygon Area to measure the planar areas of selected polygons and use those areas to
compute volumes. This option also includes the ability to calculate the area of doughnut
polygons (polygons within polygons). The calculated volumes and areas are shown in the
Vulcan Envisage Report window.
The polygon must already exist and be loaded on-screen.
When selected, the Object Area dialog box will display where the area and volume units can be
specified. Furthermore, the thickness can be specified if a volume is desired.
Right-click once to exit the command.
Tutorial 8.1
Find the surface area (in square metres) of asphalt needed to pave the roads located in the
ROADS layer.
94
8 Analysing Data
Definition
Centroid
Full
Curvature
Strike/Dip
Provides Vulcan with three points and strike with dip will be calculated for the plane containing those three points.
Possible uses:
Vulcan in the rotated view, click on the empty screen (not on
the data) and the strike/dip of the view will be shown.
Enter Snap to object mode and click three times on any
triangulation. The strike/dip of the plane made from those
three points will be reported.
List
List objects
Find objects
Layer range
Angle/Distance
Reports the length and angle of the shortest line, which can be
used to connect two objects (their selected segments). If the
objects are not in the same plane, this option can also be used.
The box for Projecting onto a 3D plane must be active.
Tutorial 8.2
1. Find the dip of the warehouse roof.
2. Then find the number of points in the boundary polygon.
Data Information
95
9 Labelling
Analyse Tools
There are several options for labelling data on-screen located in the Analyse > Label menus.
The Analyse options are broken down into five sections:
Point Labels
Point Labels to Text
Object Labels
Object Labels to Text
Menu Options
Point Labels
Point Labels are fixed font type meaning they remain the same size on-screen regardless of the
current zoom and will always appear face on regardless of the screen orientation. The Point
Label to Text option described later in this section allows you to have multiple labels and to
control the properties of those labels.
1. Select Analyse > Label > Point Label.
2. On the Label Object Point(s) dialog box select a labelling method and attribute.
Options under the Attributes sections depend on the labelling method chosen.
The Point Label option only allows one set of labels to be displayed at any given time.
Table 1: Label Object Point(s) Options
Analyse Tools
Command
Definition
Name
Point names can be assigned using Name (Design > Point Edit) or
Point Name (Design > Object Edit).
Z Value
97
Definition
W Tag
Labels the points with their W tag value. W tag values, which are
assigned through the Status toolbar when the object was initially
created, can be edited using W Tag (Design > Object Edit), the W
Tag (Design > Point Edit) or Assign W Tag (Design > Attribute
Edit). The resulting labels can contain up to six decimal places,
which is derived from the Miscellaneous section in Tools > Preferences.
Points
Displays all of the points contained within the chosen object. The
point settings within the Graphics section (Tools > Preferences)
are used to control the size and appearance of the point markers.
Sequence
Used to label the points with their sequence number, for instance
the order of digitising. Knowing the order of digitising, or the location of the first and last points, may be necessary when, for example, appending objects. Choosing to display the sequence number
will require you to specify whether to label all points within the chosen object, or only the first and last points.
You can label points through the Vulcan Envisage context menu. To label the points using the
context menu, right-click on an object and select the appropriate labelling method.
98
9 Labelling
Figure 9-4: Applying labels through the Vulcan Envisage context menu
The colour properties allow you to choose and use the colour value already assigned to the
object or specify a new colour. The Attributes option is displayed when numerical labels are
selected. When multiple label options are chosen, the Display Style properties will be available
to choose how to define different labels. Use the Font Settings tab to control the font type,
size, scale and drafting angle or to place a box around the text.
Object Label
Use Object Label to display the object labels for a chosen object. When prompted, select
Name, Value, Group, Feature, or Gradient. The position of the label can be specified as left, right
or centre. Labels will be displayed as Fixed Fonts. For example, the fonts stay the same size
on-screen regardless of the zoom factor. To change the font size use the Object Label to Text
option.
Analyse Tools
99
Tutorial 9.1
1. Label the start point of the boundary polygon with X and Y coordinates.
2. Save the labels to a layer named REFERENCE_POINT_LABEL.
3. Label the gradient of the RAMP layer.
100
9 Labelling
10 Creating a Database
Database Overview
Isis and Vulcan recognise three different database styles:
Header style
ODBC style
ODBC databases make it possible for the Vulcan software to read information from a external
database such as Microsoft Access or acQuire.
Every user-defined database in Isis (and Vulcan) is comprised of two entities:
The database design
The database itself
A database design is a single file (<name>.dsf)that describes and enforces the structure of
the database. The design is used to specify how many tables the database is made up of and
the names of those tables and stores how many fields are contained within each table.
To import raw data files and create a database, there must be a design corresponding to the
data to be imported. In addition, each file imported into the database is its own table, with the
fields being the columns in each data file. The database is created when the raw data files
(typically in ASCII/CSV format) are imported within Isis (or Vulcan Envisage) using the design as
the template that controls the structure of the database.
The database files itself - <name>.isis
The database index file - <name>.isix
Each database file must have a corresponding index file to be accessed and used. Normally, the
index file is created automatically, though it can be re-created by compressing and rebuilding
the database. Creating the design, editing the database, and viewing the database are all
performed in Isis and Vulcan Envisage is used to display information graphically on-screen.
DSF Creation
To create a .dsf file, Isis must be opened. When Isis is opened the Open Database dialog box
will first display. If you do not need to open a database, click Cancel.
To open/close databases and .dsf files, select the File menu in Isis. To create a new design
select File > New Design. This file will be located in the local working directory.
DSF file names are limited to three characters in length and the general naming convention is
shown below for different types of databases.
.dhd drillhole database
.cmp composite database
.smp samples database
.tek geotech database
Database Overview
101
Tutorial 10.1
Open Isis and create a new headered .dsf named DHD. The Design properties dialog box
will display.
Use design properties to add a description of the .dsf, a database type (Attributes button)
and data source.
The two types of databases are Drilling and Blockout. If Drilling is selected then a Desurvey
Style must be specified, which defines how a curve is applied to curved drillholes.
The data source will automatically be filled out with Isis. In other words, this will be a standard
Vulcan database into which data will be imported through .csv files.
Other options are for connecting external databases (Microsoft Access) using an ODBC link.
Tutorial 10.2
In the Design Type dialog box, do the following:
Enter a description.
Select a Drilling type database.
Select a Tangent Desurvey Style.
Ensure the data source is Isis.
The .dsf set up will need to be similar to the data which you want to import. It is a good idea to
familiarise yourself with the current data as well as thinking about what calculated fields may be
necessary at a later point in time. Note which field is the key field. In other words, it is similar
between all of the tables.
In a drillhole database this is the HoleID/Name field.
Tutorial 10.3
Open the five .csv files provided (collar, assay, survey, geology, and structure) to get an
idea of the tables and fields to include in the design.
For each .csv file a table will be made in Isis. To insert a table into the .dsf use Table > Insert
or Table > Append commands. Insert will place a new table to the left of the current table,
whereas Append will place it to the right. The first table in the .dsf must contain the Key Field.
102
10 Creating a Database
Tutorial 10.4
Create five tables and name them collar, survey, assay, geo and struct, with collar being
the left most table.
Each table will contain fields that correspond with data in the .csv files. For example, a collar
table generally has a HoleID field, an Easting, Northing, and an Elevation field. Certain fields
contain critical information so the Vulcan software can display them properly. These fields are
defined using Synonyms.
Each table has a drop-down list box in the Table Properties portion of the dialog box where
Synonyms can be specified. Depending on what is selected here, the individual field drop-down
list boxes will be populated accordingly.
Database Overview
103
Tip!
Not every field needs
a Synonym. In a
drillhole database,
however Synonyms
must be defined for
the collar information
(Hole ID, Easting,
Northing and
Elevation).
Synonyms must also
be defined for
downhole survey
information. The
remaining Synonyms
are optional.
Each field in the table has several columns that describe the properties.
Name of the field.
Description of the field.
Type - Data type including Text, Double for large numbers or with decimal places, single
for smaller numbers or Integer value.
Length - Maximum length of the field.
Synonyms - Setting field Synonyms is an important and necessary step since the field
names that you specify are not necessarily the field names that Vulcan recognises.
There are four data types available for use in Isis: text, integer, single and double.
Text - Alphanumeric value (for example ROCK = GRANITE).
Integer - Numeric value with no decimals (for example ROCK = 1). Because Integer
values are actually stored as Text in an Isis database, you will save space in the database
by storing a number with no decimals as a single precision variable.
Single - Numeric value < 7 significant figures (for example DEPTH = 123.567).
Double - Numeric value > 7 significant figures (for example XCOORD = 12345.6789).
Tutorial 10.5
Enter the information for the Collar table as shown below.
Enter the information for the remaining tables to correspond with the .csv files.
Key Fields
Key fields must be defined to tell the database which field is similar between each table. To
define a key field, right-click in the gray area to the left of the field name and select Primary Key.
Note that the Primary Key must be defined on the first or left-most table.
Tutorial 10.6
Define HOLEID as the Primary Key.
Once all information has been entered and a Primary Key has been defined, the .dsf will need
to be saved using File > Save.
Tutorial 10.7
Save the .dsf and exit out of Isis.
104
10 Creating a Database
Database Overview
105
Figure 10-5: CVS Load - Data Files and Database dialog box
Note:
The index file always
has the same
naming convention
as the database file,
with the exception
that the file
extension suffix ends
with the character X.
The database is comprised of the actual database file, and the database index file
(<project_code><ODI>.<dsn>.isix).
Tutorial 10.8
Complete the CVS Load - Data Files and Database dialog (File > Import, select CSV, then
Databases). Name the database thordrill.dhd.isis.
The next dialog box allows for connecting the design table name to the .csv file name.
Field Connections match up database fields to columns in the .csv files. This must be done
for each table before proceeding. The first Field Connections dialog box will look slightly
different than the others.
106
10 Creating a Database
All subsequent dialog boxes will have an Index field on this table drop-down list where the key
field must be selected. For example, HoleID is similar among all tables.
Tutorial 10.9
Complete the Field Connections dialog box for each table in the design.
If you choose Save the specifications, after supplying a suitable name, you can avoid having
to set the table and field connections each time you import .csv files into the same design. The
specification file will automatically make the connections when the specifications are selected
by nominating the Use existing specifications on the CSV Load - Data Files and Database
dialog box. The specification is saved in a file named csv_specs in the \csv_load_specs
folder of the Vulcan Resources area.
Click Finish to start the importing process. During the import process, a progress bar is
displayed showing the status of the importing. Any errors in the data file (overlapping intervals)
are reported in the Report window.
Database Overview
107
Any errors should always be investigated and corrected before using the database in other
parts of Vulcan. Always examine the Report window to determine if there are any errors in the
data files.
Tutorial 10.10
Finish importing the files and ensure there are no errors. If there are errors, fix the errors in
the .csv files and re-import the data.
108
10 Creating a Database
The Import Tables dialog box is displayed in order to make the connections between the tables
and fields in the database design, and the columns in the data files. Each table shown in the
dialog box must have a corresponding data file. If a table shown in the dialog box is not linked
with an appropriate data file, then the import process will not be executed.
The fields in the data file must follow the exact sequence of the fields in the data files. If a field is
not found at the position expected by the design, then Isis will import the incorrect field
contents into the field expected by the design. Therefore, importing within Isis is only ideal if the
design and data file table and field contents, and positions, match each other exactly.
The Save icon allows you to save the import specifications created to an Isis Import Ascii
specification file. The naming convention of this file is <name>.iia. This file is stored in your
working folder, and can be used to quickly import data files using the design, without having to
manually make the data file connections at a later stage.
Folder icon
Save icon
Figure 10-14: Import Tables dialog box
The .iia file is used by clicking on the Folder icon and selecting the required .iia file from
the displayed list of files. During the import process, a progress bar is displayed showing the
status and remaining time of the import.
A confirmation message is displayed showing the total number of objects (drillholes) in the new
database.
Database Overview
109
Tutorial 10.11
1. Create a second database by importing through the Isis menu options.
2. Name the database thortables.dhd.isis.
110
10 Creating a Database
6. On the Create New Data Source dialog box, select Driver do Microsoft Access Driver
(*mdb).
7. Click Finish.
8. On the ODBC Microsoft Access Setup dialog box, add a name in the Data Source
Name field.
9. Add a Description.
10. Click Select and Browse to the correct .mdb file. The maximum allowed name length of
the Data Source Name is eight characters.
Database Overview
111
Select button
Tutorial 10.12
Set up a ODBC link to the thordrillholes.mdb MS Access database located in the
Introduction to Vulcan training data set.
5. Point to the connection created in Administrative Tools/ Data Sources (ODBC). If a user
name and password is set up for the database it must be entered. If not, leave blank.
Once the initial ODBC source has been set up, the source for each table, and then each field
must be set up. The table source is set via the Configure button in the table properties.
The individual field sources are set by clicking on the Browse button in the source column for
each field. Depending on which ODBC Table was selected in the Table properties, the dropdown list box will be populated with fields existing on that table.
112
10 Creating a Database
AcQuire
The acQuire interface in Vulcan creates a link to an acQuire database containing drillhole or
composite data. This link is saved as a file in the working directory with a file name <project
prefix><link name>.acq.isis. There is no need for a .dsf file in the creation of an
acQuire link. Once the link is in place the interface performs exactly like the original acQuire
dialog boxes for selecting which data to display.
Setting a link to acQuire requires an ODBC connection.
6. Click Finish.
7. Name your data source and give it a description. The server to connect to should be the
name of the computer.
Database Overview
113
Figure 10-24: Create a New Data Source to SQL Server dialog box
8. Click Next.
9. Select option Connect to SQL Server to obtain default settings for the additional
configuration options.
114
10 Creating a Database
Figure 10-25: SQL Server ODBC Data Source Test dialog box
15. The ODBC Microsoft SQL Server Set up dialog box will display the settings for the
newly created link. To verify the connection click Test Data Source.
16. Verify that the TESTS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY! and click OK.
Tutorial 10.13
Set up a SQL link to the database provided.
Database Overview
115
116
10 Creating a Database
The following tutorial shows how to load drillholes using several of these acQuire dialog boxes.
Tutorial 10.14
1. From the Select Holes tab, load the Collar_BH data set under Alchemy.
2. Check the use box for the desired fields.
3. Click preview to view the selected drillholes.
4. Click the Filter button to limit the drillholes by a specific field.
Tutorial 10.15
1. Under the Assay tab expand the Alchemy header.
2. Select all the fields in the Assay_BH directory.
3. Click OK to accept the settings.
Database Overview
117
Use the Abbreviations dialog box to change the name of the Vulcan field the data will be
imported into. By default, the Vulcan field name is a shortened version of an acQuire field name.
Field names are limited to six characters and can not have the same name on the same table.
Tutorial 10.16
1. Verify or change the Vulcan field names and click OK.
DSR file settings are the same for acQuire as for other Isis files. The most common style is
tangent. Click OK.
Creation of the link to an acQuire database is now complete and the Isis database
thorlink1.acq.isis will now function just like any other Vulcan database.
118
10 Creating a Database
Tip!
The ODBC Link
option is only used if
you work with ODBC
link databases.
The Isis Library Database option is only used if working with the older library-style databases.
Use Open as read-only to open the database in read-only mode, which will prevent any
changes being made to the database.
The Ensure project prefix option is ticked by default, and ensures the project code is
appended to the front of the database name. Selecting a HoleID from the drop-down list box
will populate the tables with the information for the particular hole.
Tutorial 11.1
Open the headered database created in Chapter 1 in Isis. Ensure everything looks correct
and that each table has been populated with information.
119
Tip!
Double-clicking on
the name of the
database will open
it as well.
The Vulcan Explorer window comprises of several virtual folders in which various Vulcan data
files are stored. The User Database folder at the bottom of the folders tree contains all userdefined Isis databases. This folder can contain up to three subfolders (Headered, Library,
ODBC) representing the different database styles in use. The actual database files are shown as
containers within these subfolders.
The Objects subfolder contains a listing of every drillhole record in the database.
The Design subfolder lists every table in the database.
Right-click on any table or field under the Design subfolder to open the context menu. If Edit is
selected, the database will open in Isis. If you select View, the database is also opened in Isis,
but in read-only mode.
You can right-click on the actual drillhole database to open a context menu.
Tip!
Drillhole names are
case sensitive.
Drillholes named
AB1, ab1; Ab1 and
aB1 are all treated as
unique drillholes.
Avoid using spaces
or special characters
(%, $, | etc.) in
drillhole names.
Right-click on any row number in a table to open the context menu used to edit contents of the
row. Furthermore, right-clicking on any column name in a table will open a different context
window used for sorting the data.
120
Multiple Windows
The multiple windows view allows several tables to be viewed in separate windows. To change
between views use Edit > Preferences and select the multiple windows view. The view will only
be applied when the database is reopened.
To close the database choose File > Close and reopen using any of the methods mentioned in
the previous section.
Tutorial 11.2
Open the database in a multiple windows view.
Initially, a database will open in a single window. This window acts as an index table to the
database and lists the tables contained within the database. The drop-down list box in the top
left corner of the index table lists all the database records (drillholes) for the database.
Tip!
The Window menu
allows you to
rearrange the table
windows using the
Cascade, Tile
Horizontally or Tile
Vertically methods.
Double-click on a table name to open a separate window with information for the chosen table.
A window may be opened for each table. Each window can be resized or positioned as required
using the standard Microsoft Windows resizing and positioning techniques.
121
Tutorial 11.3
Select the view you prefer and set it as your default.
122
12 Databases
Drillhole Databases
Use the Geology menu to query Drillhole databases in Vulcan Envisage. The Drilling option
allows you to display drilling data in several ways, however, a colour legend must be created.
Legends
Note:
Data can be copied
and pasted between
columns.
Furthermore, if a row
has been pre-made
and data is entered
in the To column, it
will automatically
appear in the From
column on the next
row.
Legend options are found under Analyse > Legend Edit. Note that the legend must match the
database table and field names exactly; if incorrect the drillholes will either be loaded as the
wrong colour or they will not load at all.
When using the Analyse > Legend Edit > Legend Editor, a list of schemes will appear. The two
schemes applicable to drillholes are DRILL and SCALE.
A drill legend scheme is used for the standard colour scheme for colouring drillhole traces while
a scale legend scheme uses the drill scheme and allows you to make intervals thicker (discs).
When creating a drill scheme legend, the following options need to be considered:
Alpha/Numeric - Type of data the legend will be showing.
Record/Table - Type the name of the table exactly as it appears in the database where
the data is located.
Field Name - Type the name of the column/field exactly as it appears in the database.
To/From methods - Tells the software how to draw the intervals. Most often, the value for
To is TO and for From is FROM.
Range Mode - (only available for Numeric legends) Defines how the software handles
Greater Than/Less Than/Equal To.
For example, given the intervals shown below, using a GELT would mean greater than or equal
to 0 and less than 1 would be green, and greater than or equal to 1 and less than 2, would be
orange.
Table 1: Intervals
0
Green
Orange
Colours can be selected manually or a range of colours can be selected by right-clicking in the
Colour column and selecting Colour Range from the context menu.
Drillhole Databases
123
Tutorial 12.1
Create a drillhole legend to display the gold values in the database. Use the following
intervals listed in Table 2: (see below).
Alpha legends are case sensitive; meaning an A in the database must be an A in the legend, not
lowercase.
Table 2: Alpha legend
-99
0.5
0.5
1.5
1.5
999
124
12 Databases
Note:
The legend name
and line style
thickness must be
specified.
2. Select Geology > Drilling > Load Drillholes. The data can be loaded in a variety of ways
as shown in Figure 12-3.
Name - Loads all holes or a subset based on drillhole names (wildcards may be
used).
Section - Loads all holes within a specified distance from a pre-existing (displayed)
section line.
Polygon - Loads all drilling within the boundaries of a pre-existing (displayed)
polygon.
Selection File - Loads all drillholes matching the names contained in a Vulcan
selection file.
Extent - Loads all holes within specified minimum and maximum X, Y, and Z
coordinates.
Triangulation - Loads all drillholes that intersect a specified triangulation.
Filter - Loads subsets of drillholes by using a selection filter set up under Geology
> Drilling > Selection Filter.
Drillholes that display as all one colour indicates a problem within the legend database fields.
Tutorial 12.2
Load the drillholes using the legend created in Tutorial 6.1. Ensure that the drillholes are
curved and that they are multi-coloured.
Drillhole Databases
125
Labelling Drillholes
Add labels using Geology > Drilling > Label On or Multi Label On. Note
that the Label On option only labels a single field and the labels are
displayed in the centre of an interval. With Multi Label On, several labels
may be displayed as well as the properties (colour, size) of the labels. The
Label On option first prompts you for which drillhole to label using the
standard selection criteria. For one single drillhole, choose Object.
To label all drillholes, select Layer and then click on any drillhole. Confirm
layer DIG$DRILL, as this is the temporary layer drillholes are loaded into.
When prompted, select which field to label on the selected drillholes.
To remove labels, select Geology > Drilling > Label Off.
For more labelling options, use Geology > Drilling > Multi Label On.
Label colour and decimal places can be controlled on the dialog box, as
well as drawing a tick mark for the start and end of the intervals. Multi
Label allows multiple labels to be displayed, on both the left and right
hand side of the trace.
Use Geology > Drilling > Multi Label Properties to change the font
properties of the labels.
Tutorial 12.3
Label the gold grade values on-screen using the Label On.
126
12 Databases
Tutorial 12.4
1. Remove the labels created in Tutorial 12.3
2. Using Multi Label On, label the gold values on the left and the copper values and the
drillhole ID to the right.
3. Select a font style and size that works best with your data.
To display discs around portions of drillholes, create a scale legend using Analyse > Legend
Edit > Legend Editor. The width of the discs can be manually entered or taken from a column in
the database. The Field Type (Alpha or Numeric), will populate the drop-down list box in the
next dialog box. Ensure the Field Type should match the drill legend type associated with this
scale.
Select the drill legend to link with the scale legend. Only alpha/numeric legends will be
displayed in the drop-down list box, depending on how the previous dialog box was filled out.
The disc width entered will be the diameter in feet or metres of the disc.
Drillhole Databases
127
Tutorial 12.5
1. Create a scale legend associated with the Gold Drill legend which was created in
previous steps.
2. Use the disc widths in Table 3:.
Table 3: Disc Widths
From
To
Disc Width
-99
0.5
0.5
1.5
10
1.5
15
20
25
30
999
35
Tutorial 12.6
Create a legend to display the different rock types shown in Figure 12-6.
128
12 Databases
Tutorial 12.7
Create a scale legend to easily identify the TQ1 lithological unit.
To display only collar points without the drillhole trace, check the Display drillhole location only
option on the Load Drillholes dialog box (Geology > Drilling > Load Drillhole). Displaying
drillhole collars does not require a legend.
Tutorial 12.8
Load only the drillhole collar points and save these points to a layer named
DRILLHOLE_COLLARS.
Drillhole Databases
129
13 Database Maintenance
Modifying/Editing Databases
Editing the Database Structure
A database structure is controlled by the header information contained in the database, which in
turn is determined by the database design. You can not modify the structure of a database
without modifying the appropriate database design.
Changes to a database structure include any alterations to the original database structure, that
include adding or deleting tables and/or fields, renaming tables and/or fields, changing field
character types, lengths and decimal places, changing table and field descriptions and
changing table and field Synonyms.
Tutorial 13.1
Make the changes outlined below (see Editing the design of a database).
Modifying/Editing Databases
131
Tip!
When changing the
name of a field, you
will also need to
modify the legend in
order to be able to
display the drillholes
on-screen.
Note:
Only header-style
databases have
database headers
that can be edited. If
the database is
linked using ODBC,
only the design
(.dsf) needs to be
changed.
Furthermore,
changes in the
Header of a
database must be
made to the design.
If this is not the case,
then the database
will not contain the
correct information.
Tutorial 13.2
Make the same changes to the header as you did to the design in Tutorial 13.1.
Tutorial 13.3
Change the AU ASSAY value for the second sample interval of hole L11 to .5. Save your
changes.
132
13 Database Maintenance
Tip!
If opening a
database from the
Vulcan Windows
Explorer, select Edit
and not View in
order to make
changes. You must
have write
permissions to the
database in order to
save the changes.
To insert a new hole/object into the database, again the database must be open. Select Object
> Insert from the Isis menu. A new object will be inserted into the database. Type all the
necessary information into the different tables.
If only a collar location is specified with no downhole information, the drillhole will not be
displayed on-screen in Vulcan Envisage.
Tutorial 13.4
1. Insert a drillhole with the following properties into the drillhole database:
HoleID: H99
Easting: 78260
Northing: 4650
Elevation: 180
Depth: 100
2. Save the changes to the database.
Display the drillholes on-screen in Vulcan Envisage ensuring your new hole is displayed
properly.
Modifying/Editing Databases
133
Tip!
Alphanumeric
characters are
treated as case
sensitive. Searching
for U8 is different
from searching for
u8.
Text is used to locate specific database entries. You can search for both numeric and
alphanumeric characters.
Find What - For locating exact entries or wildcard characters.
Look in - Use the drop-down list box to select the table to search. If a specific table is
selected, an additional drop-down is displayed. Use this list to nominate the field to
search. You can also select to search every field in every table of the database. In this
case, the additional drop list is not displayed.
More>> - Advanced features for reversing the direction of the search, wrap the search to
the start of the database once it reaches the end, force exact record matching using
character case, and to use wildcards.
If an entry that meets the parameters located, that field is highlighted. To continue the search,
click Find Next again. Click Cancel to exit the Find dialog box. Use [CTRL+G] from your
keyboard to keep on searching (using the last parameters), which will continue to locate and
highlight fields if they meet the search criteria.
Equation
Equation is used to locate database entries that meet certain conditions or criteria. Both
numeric and alphanumeric characters can be used in conditional searches. You can apply one
or more conditions to a search on a single nominated table. The table is selected from the Table
drop-down list box, and the condition or conditions are typed in the Condition field.
134
13 Database Maintenance
Field Calculations
Occasionally you may want to create new fields by performing a calculation between existing
fields in a database. Examples include converting an imperial unit to a metric unit, or calculating
metal equivalent grades. Calculations can only be performed between fields in the same table.
In Isis, use Utilities > Field Calculation. A field must exist in the database to which the result of
the calculations can be written. If you specify a field which already contains data, then this data
will be overwritten by the results of the calculation. Include extra blank fields in a table when
your database is first created, in case you want to perform a calculation later. If a database is
already created, the database structure allows you to append additional fields as you need
them.
The Field Calculations dialog box is comprised of rows and columns, and divided into several
sections. One row generally means one equation.
Which drillhole?
Which table?
Save calculation to a
<name>.fcl file
Which conditions?
Load existing
calculation file
Which calculation?
Evaluate and
execute calculation
Key patterns - Use to apply the subsequent equations to all drillholes or only selected
drillholes in the database.
Standard wildcard characters can be used:
An asterisk (*) means that all drillholes will be considered in subsequent equations.
AB* - Only drillholes starting with AB will be considered in subsequent equations.
AB? - Only drillholes AB1 through to AB9 (maximum three characters) will be
considered in subsequent equations.
AB1 - Only drillhole AB1 will be considered in subsequent equations.
Table - In the drop-down list box nominate the table in which the fields for the calculation
reside. Calculations can only be performed between fields in the same table.
Condition - Specifies field conditions in calculations. Conditions are useful when a field
does not have a legitimate value for use in the calculation (for example dividing by a field
whose value is zero). The specific set of operators that can be used in field calculation
dialog box are shown in Table 1:. Both alphanumeric (enclosed in double quotes) and
numeric characters can be used in conditions.
Modifying/Editing Databases
135
Comparison operators, all of which work with strings. The <> are not
equals.
Equal. This is two equal signs.
%, ^
?:
AND
OR
XOR
NOT
LIKE
NOT LIKE
Everything that doesnt follow the pattern for example HOLEID NOT
LIKE 7 include records that do not start with a 7.
Multiple conditions can also be applied to several fields in the same table. Consider the
following extract from an ASSAY table for a fictional drillhole database:
Table 2: Fictional Drillhole Database
ROCK
PB
CU
AU
MS1
5.3
12.2
6.4
MS1
2.9
9.6
2.1
To perform a calculation where ROCK is equal to MS1, PB greater than or equal to 3.1, CU greater
than 4.5 and AU less than 6.5, then the condition would be specified as ROCK == MS1 AND
PB >= 3.1 AND CU >4.5 AND AU<6.5.
136
13 Database Maintenance
Using the AND operator means that all the conditions must be met before a calculation is
performed.
Field - Use to nominate fields in a table for results of the calculation to be stored.
Equation - Use to specify the resultant or calculation when the condition has been
evaluated as true. Equations can be a constant value or character, or they can be simple
or complex calculations. The calculations can be an interaction between the values or
characters in two existing separate fields, or they can be the interaction between an
existing field value, and a constant. Equations can also incorporate alphanumeric
characters.
For example, you could calculate a new field called CAT (for category), in which you set a
grade category for different ASSAY values.
Consider the following example:
Table 3: ASSAY example
VALUE
CAT
1.3
9.4
5.2
To populate the CAT field with the terms GOOD, MEDIOCRE or POOR, depending on the
contents of VALUE, the Field Calculation dialog box will need to consist of three lines,
one for each condition and calculation.
Applying equations:
Towards the bottom left corner of the dialog box are two options, whether used to control
several equations should be applied to the same table, or whether all equations should be
applied to the same table.
Modifying/Editing Databases
137
138
13 Database Maintenance
Modifying/Editing Databases
139
Tutorial 13.5
Use the Validate option to ensure the integrity of your data by following these steps:
1. In the Database Validation dialog box menu, select Unique Collar Locations.
2. Select Check for unique collar locations to ensure that you have unique easting,
northing and collar RL.
3. In the Database Validation dialog box menu, select Downhole Checks >
Overlapping Intervals.
4. Select Check for overlapping intervals to check for places where the top or bottom
of a horizon (from the depth record) crosses into another horizon.
5. In the Database Validation dialog box menu, select Individual Field Checks > Case
Of to check the geology of your database.
6. Select Report and designate a name for the report (the report generated will have the
extension of .dbv) in the Report file field.
7. In the Database Validation dialog box menu, select Report.
8. Tick View report in and choose Excel. This will start the error report if errors are
encountered.
9. In the Database Validation dialog box menu, select Save and Run and choose the
appropriate report from the Specifications file drop-down list box.
10. Click Save and then click Run.
11. Use the error report to handle discrepancies in the database.
140
13 Database Maintenance
Exporting Data
You can export all or part of a database to an ASCII format file (or files). For example, exporting
database records (drillholes) to a new database for estimation if the core recovery field in a table
in the database meets a certain value. Isis allows you to export databases to two ASCII formats:
Database Listing format (.dbl).
Standard ASCII format (.txt, .csv).
Both options are accessed from the Utilities menu.
Using the Isis Utilities > Export > Database Option
The Utilities > Export > Database option exports a database to ASCII format. The entire
database will be exported. It is not possible to export only certain records from the database.
The resultant file name is <name>.dbl and by default is saved to the working folder.
Export file is constructed from the existing Isis database name and can be altered if required.
The remaining options in the dialog box allow you to add a space between each field written to
the .dbl file, and to suppress decimal points in floating point numbers. The latter is required
by external programs that can not handle floating point precision in numeric fields. The .dbl file
has a specific format.
The following image outlines how the information is displayed.
Modifying/Editing Databases
141
Tip!
Exporting an Isis
database in .dbl
format is a quick
method of creating a
backup of the
database, since it
can easily be
imported back into a
database using
Utilities > Import >
Database.
Use a single table or a condition to choose the information to export. If Condition is selected,
the define button will give a Conditions dialog box.
142
13 Database Maintenance
Tutorial 13.6
1. Export the LK* holes to files. This will overwrite any original .cvs files (for example
collar.csv, assay.csv).
2. Open the collar.csv file.
3. Ensure only LK holes exist.
Modifying/Editing Databases
143
Figure 13-17: CSV Load - Data Files and Database dialog box
Tutorial 13.7
1. Open the collar.csv file in Microsoft Excel. Change the name of the LK*
drillholes to TK* using the search and replace option.
2. Make similar changes in the SURVEY, ASSAY, GEO, and struct.csv files. Import
these newly named drillholes into your database using the CSV Update option.
Saved specifications are stored in the Resources area. All users can use the same specs if their
environment variable named ENVIS_RESO points to the same area.
144
13 Database Maintenance
14 Drilling Utilities
Using Geology Tools
The Geology > Drilling Utilities tools are used for checking drillhole intervals and locating holes
of interest on-screen.
Tutorial 14.1
Complete the Database Record Definition dialog box for all tables except COLLAR and
SURVEY.
Horizon Lists
Next, set up the Horizon List which will define the seams and lithology names in a database by
descending order. This can be manually created or built automatically. For the automatic
function to work, it is essential to complete the Database Record Definition dialog box
correctly.
145
Tip!
To create a legend
with all Horizons,
copy and paste the
Horizons into an
appropriate dialog
box in the Analyse >
Legend Edit >
Create menu.
146
Horizon List - The dialog box should now list all of the Horizons. In addition, if different
cases were used to enter data into the database (re and RE) both entries will display and
will be treated as two different seams by Vulcan. If both entries refer to the same seam,
go back into the database and correct the upper and lower case issues.
Splits List - This option starts a new dialog box in the splitting relationships of coal
seams. Seams with no splits will be listed under Child Split column; seams with splitting
should be listed with the smallest degree of splitting in the left column and work to the
right in increasing value, finishing with the parent seam listing.
14 Drilling Utilities
Checking Holes
At this point, it is a good idea to check the drillholes to verify that there are no overlaps or
crossing intervals.
1. Select Geology > Drilling Utilities > Check Drillholes.
2. Check each table in the database individually.
Horizons will be checked based on the Horizon List.
3. Use Highlight colour and Highlight size for marking holes that fail checking.
In an imperial data set, entering 10 for the highlight size will draw a 20 x 20 box around
the collar of the drillhole.
Information for failed holes is displayed in the Report window.
Tip!
For a standard
metals type
database, only the
report overlapping
intervals option will
be used.
To remove highlighted marks select Geology > Drilling Utilities > Clear Located.
147
Specify a table, field, and condition to locate. For example, to find a particular geologic unit:
1. Select the Table with geology and select the Character field.
2. Enter the name of the unit. If it is a numeric variable, then it will be found in the numeric
drop-down list box and a minimum/maximum value can be specified.
There are three options toward the end of the dialog box.
Dependent - All conditions must be true for any one interval of the hole (for example
between 0-10ft, AU gt .5 and CU gt 2).
Independent - All conditions must be true at some point in any one hole (for example
between 0-10 ft, AU gt .5 and between 10-20 ft, CU gt 2).
Any Condition - Either condition can be satisfied by any part of a hole.
148
14 Drilling Utilities
If multiple locate definitions are run, you can use only the previously located holes to continue
narrowing down the search. To do this, check the Use located option.
Tutorial 14.2
Locate the holes with the lithology where at least one gold value within the TQ1 lithology has
a gold value greater than .3.
Tip!
When searching for
character type
values, remember a8
is different than A8.
This dialog box is
case sensitive and
looks for the case in
the database.
To remove located hole marks off the screen select Geology > Drilling Utilities > Clear
located. This clears only the locate square and leaves the drillhole on-screen.
149
Tutorial 14.3
Dump the holes located in the previous tutorial into a new database named
thorhg.dhd.isis.
Mapfile Overview
Mapfiles are text files that represent drillhole data in a spatial X,Y, Z format, as opposed to the
relative depth from collar representation found in a drillhole database. They are similar to a
straight composite database. Mapfiles are typically used in stratigraphic modelling, as they can
easily record top and bottom intercepts of a seam and the quality values therein. A mapfile
consists of two parts; a header and a body.
The header defines the columns that exist in the mapfile, while the body contains the data
broken into columns. Mapfiles can vary in size and data composition. An easy way to display
them is using the Geology > Drilling > Mapfile option, where they will load to the screen much
like a simple survey file.
Click OK once you have completed this dialog box, and on the subsequent dialog box choose
which variable from the mapfile to be loaded (typically a SR (structure roof) or SF (structure
floor) variable). The point data should load into Vulcan Envisage.
150
14 Drilling Utilities
151
15 Triangulation Modelling
Introduction to Triangulations
Triangulations are highly accurate mathematical representations of data in three dimensions. A
triangulation model is a series of 3D coordinate points and the linkages between them, which
form a series of triangulated planes that define a surface or enclose a volume.
Triangulations are stored as individual files and can be copied, renamed and deleted through
Vulcan Explorer. Triangulations in Vulcan are saved with the file extension .00t.
Tip!
Avoid using spaces
in triangulation
names. Vulcan will
remove any spaces
used when naming a
triangulation;
however if renamed
in Vulcan Explorer
with spaces, those
spaces are retained
and may cause
options not to work
correctly.
Two terms are used in Vulcan to categorise triangulations, surface and solid.
Surface triangulation models are 3D representations of the data. They are referred to as
open because the triangulation has a distinct edge, and does not encompass a volume.
A solid triangulation model is a closed 3D representation of the data. The closed model
has no distinct edge and must encompass a volume.
The final option for loading triangulations is Load by Location (Model > Triangle Utility).
This menu option allows for narrowing down triangulation pick lists, first wireframe a
standard wildcard listing and then by typing the selection criteria.
Triangulation models honour all of the data points from which they are created. Unless
smoothed, they do not interpolate intermediate points. If data is sparse the resulting
triangulation will be coarse, and where data is dense the resultant triangulation will be detailed.
This allows for the creation of any complex shape, including topography or digital terrain
models (DTM), fault surfaces, pit shells, and ore body models.
The versatility of the triangulation structure allows it to be used for many purposes. An
understanding of its underlying concept is important when applying it to particular geological or
mining situations.
Advantages of Triangulations
Triangulations accurately represent any surface or solid shape, which results in more accurate
volumes than possible when using the more traditional polygonal or end-area type volumetric
methods. This is true for both solids and for volumes between surfaces, such as cut-and-fill
Introduction to Triangulations
153
The 3D nature of triangulations coupled with Vulcans powerful graphical tools enable high
quality visualisation that can rapidly convey the concepts of a geological model or engineering
design. The wide range of utilities provided for modelling triangulations enables triangulation
models to be very powerful display and analysis tools.
Disadvantages of Triangulations
The complex nature of (some) triangulations requires that considerable care needs to be taken
during their construction. Work procedures should be established to streamline these
processes. Processing time is directly proportional to the number of data points being
considered.
Sometimes the triangulation algorithms create shapes that do not match the perceived shape
that should occur based upon prevailing experience and the data at hand. Some options within
Vulcan Envisage attempt to correct these problems but they do not satisfy all cases. Several
manual techniques, for example tie strings, are available to solve this. Triangulation modelling
methods may not be ideal for modelling sparse data. Large flat, triangles give a surface a coarse
154
15 Triangulation Modelling
resolution while grid modelling techniques allow the estimation of values in the gaps between
the raw data points to provide a smooth surface.
Loading Triangulations
The different options in Vulcan for loading triangulations into the Vulcan Envisage window
include:
Double-clicking on an individual triangulation name.
Multiple triangulations may be selected and loaded simultaneously if the left mouse key is
depressed while holding either the [SHIFT] or [CTRL] keys. After all desired triangulations
are selected, right-click and select Load.
Multiple triangulations may be selected and loaded simultaneously if the left mouse key is
depressed while holding either the [SHIFT] or [CTRL] keys. The entire selection may be
dragged into the Vulcan Envisage window using the left mouse key.
Select Model > Triangle Utility > Load and a triangulation from the drop-down list box.
Select Model > Triangle Utility > List or click the List Triangulations button from the
Open toolbar.
If selecting triangulations from a list, the following dialog box will appear.
This dialog box is an extension of the common open dialog that you may have seen in other
programs. It allows users to build up a list of triangulations to be loaded. Selections are made
from the list of triangulations displayed on the left side of the dialog box. The arrow buttons in
the centre are used to move selected triangulations between the selection list and the
triangulation list.
Unloading Triangulations
To remove a triangulation, right-click on the triangulation itself or the file in the Vulcan Explorer
window and select Remove. The Remove by Name and Remove by Location options found
in the Triangle Utility options in the Model menu, work the same as the loading options.
Introduction to Triangulations
155
Tutorial 15.1
156
15 Triangulation Modelling
There are three options for solid shaded triangulations. Selecting Draw wireframe mesh over
surface is useful for simple visualisation of complicated triangulations as this option will draw
the individual triangles that are used to build the triangulation. The option Ensure triangulation
is not striped is used to remove strange lighting effects caused when overlaying images onto
surfaces. The last option is to apply Smooth shading, which is purely a visual effect and does
not change the true surface of the triangulation. Smoothing does not affect the surface area or
volume of a triangulation.
Figure 15-7: Smooth shading with surface definition angle set to 180.
Introduction to Triangulations
157
There are two different ways to colour a triangulation. The option in the lower left hand corner of
the triangulation properties dialog box allows you to specify any RGB (Red Green Blue index)
colour and is not restricted to one of the 32 colours in the users colour index. On the right hand
side, you can select a colour from the palette. After selecting the option for the preferred
colouring option, right-click on the box below the chosen option to display a colour palette.
158
15 Triangulation Modelling
The Advanced tab on the triangulation properties dialog box provides more options for
enhancing the visual effects of triangulations. When using solid shading the triangulation can be
coloured by the X, Y and Z axis using the Axis Colouring options. You can choose to colour
triangulation by using some other surface as a reference point. This option does not work for
wireframes.
The default colour scheme option is Spectrum, which is a simple rainbow colour scheme
stretched across the range of the triangulation along the specified axis. The Equalise range
option ensures the entire spectrum is used across the entire range of the axis. Alternative axis
colouring options are accessed using the Modify button, including Interpolate colours between
two RGB values, or using a Vulcan colour scheme (see the section on the Analyse > Legend
Edit menu for details).
Introduction to Triangulations
159
The Texture Mapping option allows the triangulations to be draped with a texture, for example
an image of an aerial photograph or a satellite image. An example of the use of textures is in pit
or face mapping, where a digital image of the rock face can be draped onto a pit or stope
design.
To use this feature select the Texture resource option and pick the image file from the list.
Before loading an image, it must be registered with the triangulation. Select the option Blend
texture with triangulation colour to blend the solid shaded triangulation colour with the image
file to see both lighting and texture effects.
The last option for triangulation properties is Translucency, which is used to set a triangulation
from 0 (not translucent) to 100 (completely translucent).
Tutorial 15.2
160
15 Triangulation Modelling
16 Triangulation Surfaces
Creating a Surface
In the previous section we learned how a surface model could be loaded and its attributes
changed to provide the best viewing criteria. We will now go back a step and look at how this
triangulation was created. Surface triangulation models may be created using any object data,
for example points, lines or polygons.
Select Model > Triangle Surface > Create. The Triangulation dialog box will display.
Creating a Surface
161
Exclude boundary polygon from data - Excludes data points forming the polygon. The
polygon simply controls which data points are triangulated, for instance inside or outside.
The resultant triangulation goes to the nearest data points to the polygon.
Relimit triangulation with boundary polygon - The data points forming the polygon are
not used, but the polygon is used to clip the triangulation.
162
16 Triangulation Surfaces
Trending Tab
The Trending tab allows you to apply overall geological trend to the surface and build it in to the
triangulation model. The trend represents a best-fit mathematical model, which estimates the
surface shape between the data points. The mathematical method used is a regression method
that gives the best fit. In the same manner a line of best fit can be determined from a scatter
diagram; you can add an extra variable (for example easting or northing) and compute a 3D
surface of best fit. The fitted surface represents the regional trend present in the data. This trend
surface will pass through the data as a surface of best fit.
Apply polynomial trending - Applies a regional variation to the surface. A trend order
that relates to the complexity of the trend surface must be specified. It is not
recommended to go above three.
Table 1: Surface Variations
Order
Surface
Plane surface
Return only trend model results - Produces the trend surface as the triangulation and
does not add back the raw data. This is useful for future reproduction of the model using
the trending results.
Use bounding constraint points - Controls the trending. When trend surfaces are
normally built, the trend outside the area of the data (surface strings, points) will generally
oscillate wildly into infinity. This is usually fine as it is away from the area of interest, for
example inside the data. However sometimes it produces poor results at the edges of the
data which can corrupt the original data. Ticking this option will prevent this from
happening.
Apply ellipsoidal trending - Applies local variations to the surface by direction. Bearing,
plunge, dip, major radius, semi-major radius and minor radius need to be specified.
Spurs Tab
The Spurs tab allows you to Generate spur strings and save them to a new or existing layer.
Spurs are flat spots that can occur where the surrounding data points all have the same Z value.
In the case of contours, triangles can not always be created between adjacent contours due to
the geometry of nearby points. This can cause discrepancies with actual surfaces. Flat spots
are overcome by employing spur strings in the valleys and along the ridges of the contours.
Use Incorporate spurs in triangulation so the spurs are used as part of the data in the
triangulation. Saving the spurs to a layer allows the triangulation to be regenerated with the
same spur strings. If the layer name is left blank, the spur strings will be created as an underlay.
Do not use the spur creation options if triangulating a pit design as crest/bench definition may
Creating a Surface
163
Tutorial 16.1
1. Load layers CONTOURS and BOUND.
2. Select Model > Triangle Surface > Create.
3. Leave Data, Trending and Condition tabs set to default.
4. On the Boundary tab select Use boundary polygon to limit triangulation,
Triangulation of data inside boundary polygon and Use boundary polygon as part
of triangulation data.
5. On the Spurs tab select Generate spur strings, name the layer SPURS and add a
description, select Incorporate spurs in triangulation and Apply arbitrary levels to
flat spur strings.
6. Click OK.
7. When prompted, select the boundary polygon and confirm the correct object.
8. Use Layer in the selection criteria menu, select the CONTOURS layer and Confirm.
9. Right-click to exit command and Confirm triangulate.
10. Name the triangulation topo_contours.
11. Select File > Save.
12. Rotate and zoom in on the triangulation and inspect the spur strings. Remove the
triangulation to see the spur strings more clearly. You can remove the CONTOURS layer
if desired.
164
16 Triangulation Surfaces
Two Polygons
The Two Polygons option allows the surface triangulation to be re-limited to be within a
bounding polygon (identical to the options under the Create menus) or to be created within
internal and external boundaries. The boundary polygon is used as part of the triangulation. An
example of this is to triangulate between contours, effectively creating doughnut shapes.
Grid Mesh
The Grid Mesh option is used to create a simple grid over an existing triangulated surface
between extents determined interactively by a rubber band.
Relimiting Surfaces
There are two relimiting options Relimit by Polygon and Relimit by Solid.
Relimit by Polygon creates a new triangulation from an existing triangulation surface and one
or more nominated polygons. This is useful when removing the topography within a pit crest
string. Relimit by Polygon allows you to either keep or delete, what is inside the polygon. The
Relimit by Polygon option only works in plan view. Use the Relimit option under the Model >
Triangle Utility menu for 3D relimiting. The Relimit by Solid option creates a new surface
triangulation by relimiting an existing triangulated surface against a selected solid triangulation.
Creating a Surface
165
Tutorial 16.2
Relimiting Surface Triangulations:
1. Ensure no triangulations are loaded. Load layer RELIMIT and triangulation
topo.00t.
2. Select Model > Triangle Surface > Relimit by Polygon.
3. The topo.00t is automatically selected as it is the only triangulation loaded. Now
select the polygon from the RELIMIT layer. Choose Keep Inside and confirm
Relimit.
4. Name the new triangulation topo_relimit.
5. Remove RELIMIT and triangulation topo.00t and load triangulation solid_1.00t.
6. Select Model > Triangle Surface > Relimit by Solid.
7. First select the topo.00t triangulation, then select the solid_1.00t triangulation,
and choose Keep Inside. Name the resulting triangulation topo_relimit_2.
8. Remove all triangulations except topo_relimit_2.
166
16 Triangulation Surfaces
The Volume option can create a report file, or the results will appear on-screen and in the
Vulcan Envisage tab of the Report window. When generating a report, the user must specify the
file extension (for example .txt, .csv, .asc). In addition, the Polygons Volume option
calculates the volume between two triangulated surfaces within a set of polygons. This option is
similar to the Volume option, except it limits the area between the two surfaces by one or more
polygons.
Tutorial 16.3
Creating a Surface
167
Definition
Vertex Z Edit
Move Vertex
Add Vertex
Inserts a vertex into a triangulation. The triangles created by adding a point inside an existing triangulation will automatically be
added to the triangulation.This option can not be used to add new
points outside the triangulation boundary.
Delete Vertex
When using Insert Triangle, use Snap to point to ensure the vertex of the new triangle matches
with vertices of existing triangles. If vertices do not match, the resulting triangulation will fail one
or more validation checks.
168
16 Triangulation Surfaces
Tutorial 16.4
Load the fix_1 triangulation. Fix the problem area shown.
Image Registration
The Image Registration options under the Model menu allow images to be draped onto
triangulations. Most commonly these are aerial photos that are draped onto surface
triangulations, but there are many other uses for registering images to triangulations.
Under the Image Registration menu, the first option is to Create or Open an .ireg file
containing the specifications of the registration. Once an .ireg file is selected or a new .ireg
file name specified, the Image Registration Properties dialog box will appear. First an image
file must be specified. The most common file extension for images are JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg)
and tagged image file format (.tif or .tiff). Vulcan will also accept CompuServe Gif (.gif)
files and ER Mapped ECW images (.ecw).
The Use automatically generated triangulation option creates an underlay that will cover the
extent of the mapping. This option works best if only two or three control points are used. The
Use loaded triangulation is most common and allows the user to specify an existing
triangulation to overlay the image.
Creating a Surface
169
The check box for Sharp pixel boundaries makes pixels larger instead of smoothed under
strong magnification. Options to specify colours for image window points, world window points,
and highlight points will be covered later in this section. Select specify Image width if one
control point is used. The image width specified is used for draping an image.
Once you click OK on the Image Registration Properties dialog box, a new Image
Registration window will open. It may help to tile the windows vertically (Window > Tile
Vertically).
The next step is to add control points that match points on the image (image coordinate) to the
real world coordinates. Use Model > Image Registration > Add Point. Vulcan will first prompt
for the image coordinate, then for the real world coordinate. Right-click to exit the command.
170
16 Triangulation Surfaces
Tip!
The more points
added to correlate
the image with the
triangulation, the
more accurate the
registration will be.
When selecting real
world coordinates,
use Snap to object
to ensure they are on
the triangulation.
If a point is in the wrong place, use Move Point; however it is usually easier to use Delete Point
and start again. The Clear All Points option will delete all the points. The properties of the
image registration can be changed at any time by returning to Model > Image Registration >
Properties. Once all points are added, the option must be closed by going to Model > Image
Registration > Close. This will close the window and save the .ireg file.
Tutorial 16.5
1. Load the layer IMAGE_TOPO.
2. Create a surface from this data.
3. Display the topo.pexel image (it should be in your current working folder) on this
triangulation.
Creating a Surface
171
17 Triangulation Solids
Modelling Techniques
A solid triangulation model is a closed 3D representation of data. Therefore the model has no
distinct edges and must encompass a volume. Of several different solid modelling techniques,
the two most common are creating solid models, using Polygons and Boolean operations.
Solid triangulations are commonly used to represent geological features and structures in 3D.
They are also used for underground mine development planning.
The main purpose for building solid triangulations, besides building a 3D model, is as a
prerequisite for building block models. Block models will use the solid triangulations to flag ore
zones, boundaries or development.
Vulcan has several tools for creating solid triangulation models. They can be found in the Model
> Triangle Solid menu.
To ensure valid and accurate solids are created, ensure the following:
All strings are in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise).
No duplicate points exist.
No overturns (bowties) exist.
Modelling Techniques
173
Note:
Closed polygons are
not required;
however the nonclosed portion will
not be triangulated.
Select Model > Triangle Solid > Create. The Create 3D Solid dialog box will display.
Definition
Checking these options creates walls on either the first and/or last
polygon, thus creating a closed solid triangulation. Without these
options checked, the 3D solid appears as a tunnel. These should
not be checked if using Break solid by strings, unless there is no
intent to append the solids into one.
174
17 Triangulation Solids
Definition
Optimum triangulation
Show triangles on
shaded surface
Modelling Techniques
175
Definition
Complete
Polygon
Partial
Line
Multiple
Specifies an object using the standard criteria selection. For example Select by layer. Vulcan will connect all the polygons in the
selected layer into a valid solid triangulation.
Point
Translate
If all polygons (for the solid triangulation) are picked, or more advanced options are required,
right-click once or select Cancel to switch to the 3D Create menu. Be careful not to right-click
too many times; as this may cancel the function and require you to begin again.
3D Create Context Menu
The 3D Create menu has the following options:
Table 3: 3D Create Options
176
Command
Definition
Save
Reverse
Reverses the direction of the last selected string and then re-triangulates between the last two strings, stopping strings being digitised in different directions.
Split
Undo
Removes the last section of the triangulation. Do not use any other
Undo shortcut options when in Create Solid. Use the Undo within
the Create Solid menus.
Edit
Ties
Delete
17 Triangulation Solids
Definition
Continue
Cancel
Tutorial 17.1
Creating simple solid from polygons:
1. Open the layer T19_1_SIMPLE_SOLID.
2. Select Model > Triangle Solid > Create.
3. Leave as default and click OK.
4. When prompted, pick the first string.
5. When prompted, pick the next string.
6. Select a colour for your triangulation.
7. Continue selecting all subsequent polygons. Once all polygons are selected, rightclick twice and choose Save edits.
8. Name the triangulations Practice19-1a. Note that our triangulation is not a solid,
but more of a tunnel. This is because Create first and last End Plates were not
selected.
9. Click OK and close the solid.
10. Select Model > Triangle Solid > Close Solid.
11. Choose Remove Flaps.
Modelling Techniques
177
Tutorial 17.2
Creating a splitting solid triangulation:
1. Load the PANT_LEG layer.
2. Create a solid triangulation (see below).
3. Follow the steps using the Partial, Complete and Split commands from Model >
Triangle Solid > Create.
178
17 Triangulation Solids
5. Right-click twice and select Split. This will clear the memory of the last string.
6. When prompted, pick a start string to triangulate.
7. Pick half of the last individual polygon. To pick half a string, right-click once and
select Partial. Partial mode lets you pick part of a string to triangulate.
8. Click two points and then select This part or Other part.
Modelling Techniques
179
End Plates
Use End Plates to close a solid triangulation by creating End Plates on a solid, or creating any
flat surface triangulation with a polygon.
180
17 Triangulation Solids
Tutorial 17.3
Use End Plates to close the Pant_Leg triangulation.
Tri Polygons
WARNING
No topological corrections are performed. For
example, if the polygons do not meet
properly or have trifurcations, then this
will be reflected in
the resulting triangulation.
Modelling Techniques
The Tri Polygons option is similar to End Plate, however you can select multiple polygons
using the Select by menu. Tri Polygons is useful for imported data (.dxf files) as other software
packages sometimes represent a solid as a group of polygons. In addition, this option converts
polygon data into triangulations.
Tutorial 17.4
1. Load layer TRI_POLYGONS_TQ2.
2. Create a triangulation from this data using the Tri Polygons option.
181
Primitives
Primitives apply shape to any object, which can be then saved as an attribute of the line or as a
triangulation. Primitives are useful when repeatedly using complex 3D designs where the shape
is the same. Instead of re-designing the object each time, it can be designated as a primitive
and applied to an object. Generally, primitives are applied to centrelines. For example, when
designing a decline you could create a centreline and then apply an arc-shaped primitive.
Primitives can be saved as attributes of objects or triangulation.
Before applying primitives, preferences (Model > Preferences > Create/Edit Primitives, Save
Options tab) must be specified.
Primitives can be saved as triangulations, attributes or both. An attribute is simply a graphical
attribute saved in the layer which looks similar to a triangulation. If the Save as Triangulation
option is selected, other options such as closure, data area, and naming, can be completed.
There are several predefined primitives of common shapes (Predefined Primitives tab) that can
be applied at any size and alignment. The alignment option determines where on the selected
object the primitive will be located. For example, if the chosen object is a centreline and Top is
ticked then the centreline will run along the top of the primitive.
182
17 Triangulation Solids
Click the Select Objects button, choose an object and then apply a primitive shape. You can
create your own primitives of any shape and size. User defined primitives are stored in a
Primitives specification file (<proj>.pgd) in the current working folder.
Tutorial 17.5
1. Load layer RAMP.
2. Apply a primitive to this layer which has an arched back.
3. Use a size of 10 x 10. Assume the centreline runs along the floor.
Several CAD tools within the Primitives dialog box can be used to design a new shape. If these
tools are not sufficient, a Map Object button allows selection of an object from the screen in
Vulcan Envisage. The object must already be drawn in Vulcan Envisage before typing the
Primitives menu option. Any of the standard CAD tools may be used, and the shape should be
drawn in plan view.
The red point on-screen is the alignment point. When applying a primitive to a line, this point will
be aligned on the object selected.
Modelling Techniques
183
Primitive Visibility
Triangulate Primitive
Toggle Primitive
Model > Primitives > Create/Edit Primitives or Design > Attribute Edit > Create/Edit
Primitives Opens the Primitives dialog box.
Design > Attribute Edit > Primitive Visibility Hides or shows primitives. This is only
used for primitives saved as attributes and not for triangulations. Standard visibility tools
should be used for triangulations.
Design > Attribute Edit > Remove Primitive Deletes a primitive attribute. This is only
used for primitives saved as attributes, not for triangulations. Standard delete options
should be used for triangulations.
Toggle Primitives Unlike the Primitive Visibility icon, which requires you to specify
whether a nominated primitive is to be shown or hidden, the Toggle Primitive icon
reverses the visibility setting of a chosen primitive.
Model > Primitives > Triangulate Primitive If a primitive has been applied to an object
and only saved as an attribute, it can be turned into a triangulation by using this option.
184
17 Triangulation Solids
Tutorial 17.6
Create the primitive shown below. Name it STOPE1.
Tutorial 17.7
1. Load layer CROSS_CUT.
2. Apply primitives to duplicate the layout.
3. Name the square openings with their Group_Object names.
4. Name the stopes ST_Object name.
Modelling Techniques
185
Tutorial 17.8
1. Load layer PRIMITIVE_ROAD.
2. Apply primitive to the road using a fill angle of 37 degrees and assume a road width of
10m.
Tutorial 17.9
Using any triangulation method, create a solid triangulation of the warehouse building.
Boolean
The Boolean option takes two triangulations, splits them into pieces and builds a third
triangulation. This is useful for creating solid triangulations of items such as pits, roads and
dumps.
Two triangulations must be loaded on-screen prior to selecting the menu options. In addition,
the triangulations must fully intersect in order for Boolean to work. For instances, if they are
touching, but not intersecting, or they have points at exactly the same points, Boolean will not
work.
Moving one of the triangulations by a small amount can fix this problem.
186
17 Triangulation Solids
Once triangulations have been selected, a bold line shows the intersection of the triangulations
(see below).
Using the Boolean option, various triangulations could be created. The image above shows a
new pit topography with the pit taken out.
Modelling Techniques
187
Definitions
Preview
Save
Reset
Solid
Colour
Colour All
Exclude
Invert
Undo
Exit
Tutorial 17.10
1. Load the contours triangulation and the pit triangulation on-screen.
2. Use Boolean to create a solid triangulation of the material to be mined from the pit.
Shelling Solids
Once a solid is created, it can be cut into pieces using the Model > Triangle Solid > Shells
option. This will leave the original triangulation intact, and create new triangulations based on
parameters input to the dialog box.
Tri save directory Chooses a subfolder where created triangulations are saved.
Shell Base Name New triangulations will be labelled with this name in addition to the
shell name identifier. An underscore _ is automatically placed between the base name
and the shell name identifier.
Shell Name Identifier Part of the new triangulation name is according to the
coordinates (if shelling in the Z direction, Z elevation will be part of name), distance from a
level or sequence.
188
17 Triangulation Solids
If Create all shells is selected on the previous dialog box, the reference plane can be anywhere
and all the shells will still be created. If only a few shells are being created, they will be created
from the reference plane. The new triangulations and the original will be displayed on-screen. If
the colours look strange, remove the original solid, as sometimes it is difficult to see the new
shells with the original still loaded.
.
Tutorial 17.11
1. Load the pit solid triangulation created in a previous tutorial.
2. Shell it into 10m benches as shown below. Name the shells PIT1_<elevation>.
Modelling Techniques
189
Editing/Fixing Solids
Triangulations are the foundation on which many of the Vulcan utilities are built. Using poorly
constructed triangulations will result in errors. The process of validating and improving the
quality of solid triangulations is outlined below.
Checking Triangulations
Use Model > Triangle Solid > Check to validate the stability of triangulations.
Unless a triangulation passes all of the appropriate validity tests, any operation on that
triangulation is not guaranteed to be correct. This is particularly the case in grade estimation
where volume and grade calculations are undertaken. A triangulation that passes the validation
tests, but fails the stability tests, will still provide accurate results. However, limitations in the
precision of some algorithms may produce errors when the triangulations contain small
triangles. If a triangulation fails the stability checks and you create new triangulations from it,
they are more likely to have errors.
Check options look at the following:
Closure Tests for openings (holes). If the closure test fails, then a boundary string is
produced.
Consistency Tests for triangle edges shared between more than two triangles. If the
consistency test fails, then an inconsistent string is produced. This may occur where
internal walls have been produced after Boolean operation, appending and poor data.
Self Intersection Tests for self-crossing triangles. If the self-intersection test fails, then
the outline of every triangle that intersects another triangle will be displayed.
You can save the strings produced from each test into an underlay or layer. To save a string to a
layer, a layer name must be specified. To create a new layer type the new layer name. It is a
good idea to change the colour of the layer to contrast with the colour of the triangulation being
checked, and also to apply a thick line style to make it stand out.
190
17 Triangulation Solids
Modelling Techniques
191
Tutorial 17.13
Re-create the Pant_Leg solid triangulation. Use the Close Solid command to make a valid
solid triangulation.
Tip!
Always name the
newly closed
triangulation with a
new name. If there
are multiple
openings in the
triangulation, the
Closed Solid option
may give undesired
results.
Split
The Split option takes a triangulation that contains many disjointed sections and splits them.
The user can then choose, through various methods, which pieces are wanted to create a new
triangulation. The image on the following page is a perfect example of when to use the Split
command. A solid has been created through the use of Boolean and a few small pieces have
been left floating; Split will eliminate these.
192
17 Triangulation Solids
Once the triangulation has been selected, various options are available, similar to the options
within the Boolean command. The additional option on this dialog box is By Volume, which
allows the user to type a minimum volume. If a chunk of the triangulation has less volume than
this, it is automatically removed.
Tutorial 17.14
1. Load the split_pit.00t on-screen. Remove the outlying pieces and save.
Cut
The Cut option allows you to cut a triangulation in two by interactively digitising a cut line. This
is useful if there are small problem areas around the edges as they can be removed to fix the
triangulation. Cut can also be used to break up large triangulations into smaller pieces.
Triangulations can be cut at angles; if the dialog box below is left blank, it will automatically cut
at 90 degrees.
The cut line can then be digitised. Always exaggerate the ends of the line, as shown on the
following page, to ensure there will be a clean cut. In the incorrect line shown on the following
page, if the line were continued it would intersect the triangulation again, which can cause
errors.
Modelling Techniques
193
Tutorial 17.15
1. Load a triangulation.
2. Locate the problem area and remove it (cut).
Note:
It is good practice to
Save as new
triangulation, as
sometimes the
Delete Crossing
Triangle function
can produce
unwanted results. By
saving as a new
triangulation, the
original triangulation
remains as a backup.
194
It may be necessary to close the solid after fixing consistency and crossing problems. Always
run a check of the resultant triangulation before moving on to volume or grade calculations.
Other options are:
Table 5: Triangle Editing Options
Menu Command
Definition
Clips a triangulation by either one or a series of polygons. Triangles are deleted depending on whether they are totally inside or
totally outside the selected polygon(s).
Creates a new triangulation by merging two loaded triangulations. The new triangulation can be the intersection, union or difference of the two triangulations.
17 Triangulation Solids
Definition
Volume Calculations
Volumes of triangulations can be calculated in Vulcan for solid triangulations or between two
surface triangulations.
Solid Volumes
The menu option Model > Triangle Solid > Volume can also be accessed by right-clicking on a
triangulation on-screen. If multiple triangulations are highlighted on-screen, the volume option is
not available. A dialog box allows the picking of triangulations individually from the screen or
picking by name from a Windows browser. If volumes are needed for multiple triangulations, use
the Solids by name option.
A density may be entered and a tonnage will be calculated.
Tutorial 17.16
What is the volume of the triangulation named pit?
Create a .txt file with volumes for each bench of the pit triangulation which was shelled
earlier.
Surface Volumes
The option Model > Triangle Surface > Volume will generate volumes between two surfaces.
Both must be loaded on-screen prior to starting the menu option. Vulcan will prompt to select
the original and new triangulations. The cut and fill volumes will then be displayed. The order of
Modelling Techniques
195
Tutorial 17.17
What is the volume of fill necessary to build the road (created in a previous tutorial)?
1. Load the TR_TQ1 layer on-screen.
2. Create a valid solid triangulation out of this data. Ensure the triangulation honours the
data and splits into two, creating a hole in the middle as shown below.
3. What is the volume of your TR_TQ1 triangulation?
196
17 Triangulation Solids
18 Introduction to Grids
Grid Mesh Surfaces
Grid modelling is particularly useful for modelling stratigraphic deposits. Grid models represent
surfaces with a regular pattern (usually square) of nodes which can be thought of as X, Y and Z
points in space. Each node value is spaced from the surrounding values by a fixed distance,
which is called the grid size, or grid cell size. Values for grids are stored at the grid nodes where
the grid lines cross.
Tip!
When referencing a
grid, only the
distinguishing
components of that
grid name need to be
specified. The
default project name
and grid file identifier
are assumed if these
portions are omitted
from the grid name.
If the project name does not point to the required grid, then the name must be specified in full.
Grids can generally be divided into two types, structure grids and quality grids. Structure grids
represent the surface of a seam or geological contact in space, whereas quality grids represent
a quality value at a particular X and Y location where the Z value represents the quality variable
value. Examples of structure grids include topography, roof and floor grids, while quality grids
may include ash, sulphur, density or thickness grids.
Common grid file extensions are:
sr structure roof
sf structure floor
tk thickness
st structure thickness
pt - parting thickness
tp - topography
197
Note:
While a grid model
may represent a
surface, it is not
necessarily planar.
Refer to the following
figures.
A unique function of grids is that they can be mathematically manipulated. For example grids
can be added and subtracted to derive new grids. For this reason, grids can not represent
structures where more than one Z value exists for a particular X and Y location. Examples of
structures that can not be modelled by grids, include reverse faults and recumbent folds.
198
18 Introduction to Grids
Tutorial 18.1
The grid named thorgrid.tpg has been provided in the data set. This grid was created
from the design layer CONTOURS in thordesign.dgd.isis and is an example of an
interpolated grid.
Open thordesign.dgd.isis and load layer CONTOURS.
Double-click thorgrid.tpg to load from the Grids folder.
Use the rotation tools to see how the grid conforms to the CONTOURS layer.
Creating Grids
The two primary methods for creating grids in Vulcan are found under Model > Grid Mesh
Surfaces and under Grid Calc.
199
Tutorial 18.2
1. Load thordesign.dgd.isis and layer CONTOURS.
2. Select Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Create Simple.
3. On the Model Create dialog box, set the X and Y Mesh Size to 25.
4. Set Generate mesh from to Z elevation (a grid mesh can be generated from either Z
elevation or W tag).
5. Set the Model Surface Name to topo.tp. The grid resulting from this exercise will
have the name thortopo.tpg where thor is the project prefix and g is the grid suffix.
6. Select all of the following check boxes, which control the creation and display of the
triangulation and/or grid.
Below is an example of how a grid would be displayed if only the X Mesh or Y Mesh check
box was selected.
200
18 Introduction to Grids
8. Select Regularise grid area to grid size. This option ensures that the maximum and
minimum coordinates of the grid are multiples of the mesh size.
9. Click OK.
10. When prompted, indicate the model origin point. Define the extents to model by
choosing the bottom left and top right corners. Make sure the extents include all of
the contour lines.
11. Select Layer on the Select By menu.
12. Choose the CONTOURS layer.
13. Select Cancel on the Select By menu.
14. Select Model on the Confirm menu.
15. Name the triangulation thortopo.00t.
16. Click OK.
A triangulation and a grid model of the topo lines appear in the Vulcan Envisage window.
Interpolated Grids
Use Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Vulcan Grid Model to create grids. The main difference
between this option and Create Simple, is that the Vulcan Grid Model option uses interpolation
and smoothing algorithms. In addition, the Vulcan Grid Model option uses mapfiles to create
grids. If a mapfile does not already exist, it must be created from a design or geological
database.
The parameters of the grid (such as size and modelling method) are stored in a specification file.
The grids created from this specification have the standard grid file name format.
Creating Grids from Triangulations
201
Editing Grids
Grid Masking
Each grid occupies the full rectangular area defined in the grid creation process, but the whole
grid may not be visible. In addition to each node having a Z value, it also has a mask value,
which can be set to 1 or 0. If it is set to 0, the node is invisible. If it is set to 1 the node is visible.
This is useful if the grid does not exist over the whole rectangular area (for example data does
not cover the whole area, or there is uncertainty about what happens geologically beyond some
extent).
Mask values can be set using the menu Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Mask. This menu uses
Vulcan Envisage polygons to mask grids. Masks can be modified or replaced readily using the
menus Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Unmask and Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Mask.
Z values are not affected by masking. Grids can be masked and unmasked and the Z values will
be unchanged. The following figure shows an unmasked grid where the polygon represents a
mask limit.
After masking with the polygon, only the nodes that lie within the polygon are visible.
202
18 Introduction to Grids
The following diagrams show the results of the various masking options:
203
Colouring
The default method for colouring a grid is to make it all one colour. This can make it difficult to
distinguish trends in the grid model unless the model is rotated. Colouring a grid is achieved
using the Model > Grid Mesh Surface > Drape menu. Colouring the grid based on Z values
(either of the grid itself or from another grid) allows trends to be identified more easily.
When colouring grids, it is usually best to set up a Colour Legend using Analyse > Legend
Edit > Create. Legends give the user control of grid colouring by allowing the specification of
intervals and colours for each.
204
18 Introduction to Grids
Tutorial 18.4
1. Open a design database.
2. Select Analyse > Legend Edit > Legend Editor.
3. Choose CONTOUR.
4. Name the legend.
5. Click OK.
6. Fill out the Colour Ranges properties that follow:
Node Editing
Grid node values are generated through mathematical interpolation and extrapolation. This
process does not always produce the desired values, and it may be necessary to alter the node
Z values. Grid nodes can be edited on an individual basis or by using a polygon to alter all
nodes inside/outside the polygon.
To alter grid nodes individually use the Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Node Edit menu. The
Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Set Value option can be used to edit multiple nodes inside/
outside a given polygon. The Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Patch option can be used to
copy values from an existing grid into a second grid. To use this option the grids must have the
same cell size and extent.
Tutorial 18.5
1. Open a design database and load the grid created in Tutorial 19.2.
2. Right-click on thortopo.tpg and select Load.
3. Select Design > Create > Layer to create a new layer.
4. Select Design > Create > Polygon to draw a polygon around a portion of the grid.
205
7. Select Relative to node and Enter grid mesh value of 50. Clear Clip grid mesh to
current window and click OK.
8. Select Save. The nodes inside the polygon have been shifted to a value 50 feet above
their original value.
206
18 Introduction to Grids
Creating a Mapfile
Use Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > Create Mapfile to generate either a mapfile or a database
that can be used for grade estimation. This option requires quality grids such as Moisture and
Ash in addition to a Structure surface model grid. Selecting Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces >
Create Mapfile generates the following dialog box.
In addition to structure surface models, various quality models can be selected. These models
must exist in order to be selected and can then be combined in either a database file or a
mapfile.
207
Tutorial 18.6
1. Open a design database.
2. Load the grid created in Tutorial 19.2.
3. Right-click on thortopo.tpg and select Load.
4. Select Design > Create > Layer to create a new layer.
5. Draw a polygon inside the grid extents using Design > Create > Polygon.
6. Select Model > Grid Mesh Surfaces > To Object. Choose the layer the polygon is
drawn in and click OK.
7. When promoted, select the boundary polygon and then the grid mesh surface.
8. The nodes bounded by the polygon have been converted into point objects. To view
the points remove the grid by right-clicking on thortopo.tpg and selecting
Remove.
208
18 Introduction to Grids
Grids can be exported for use in other third-party applications using File > Import Export >
Export DXF and File > Import Export > Export Grid. The File > Import Export > Export DXF
option exports grids to a DXF (Drawing Exchange) file. Once created, this file appears in the
Vulcan working directory. The File > Import Export > Export Grid exports grids to an ESRI
ASCII grid file. This menu option can be used to export numerous grids simultaneously.
209
7. Fill in the coordinates for the grid extents as shown. The grid extents must be divisible
by the grid cell size.
8. Click OK.
9. Select Grid Calc > Edit Modelling Defaults > Save Grid Specifications.
Loading Data
Grid Calc operates as a separate entity from the other Vulcan Envisage modules data and must
be loaded specifically into the Grid Calc module. Data is loaded into Grid Calc using the menus
Grid Calc > Data and the Grid Calc > Grids. Design data, triangulations, mapfiles, and grids
can all be loaded into Grid Calc.
Tutorial 18.8
1. Load design database thorgrids.dgd.isis.
2. Select Grid Calc > Grids > Load/Calculate Grid.
3. Load grid topo.tp.
4. Select OK.
The grid has been loaded in Grid Calc. It must be displayed before it becomes visible.
Displaying Data
Select Grid Calc > Display to display data that has been loaded. Triangulations, design data,
and grids can all be displayed using this menu. The Grid Calc > Display > Remove Underlay
option is used to remove data from the display.
210
18 Introduction to Grids
Tutorial 18.9
1. Load design database thorgrids.dgd.isis.
2. Select Grid Calc > Display > Static Display Grid.
3. On the Grid Display Attributes dialog box the Z Mapping option allows grids to be
displayed using a combination of exaggeration and offset. Display Z= 1 x grid + 0
yields a display of real world Z values. Z = 1 x grid + 100 yields a grid display offset in
the Z direction by 100 units.
211
Tutorial 18.10
1. Load design database thordesign.dgd.isis.
2. Select Grid Calc > Data > Load Design.
3. The Load Design dialog box will display. Complete the Source tab as shown. The
thordesign.dgd.isis database has selected the CONTOURS layer (and all objects)
contained within the database.
Grid Arithmetic
Grids can be manipulated using powerful grid arithmetic accessed through the Grid Calc >
Grids > Load/Calculate Grid menu. Arithmetic can be performed using simple arithmetical
operators (+,-,*,/) or a number of more complex functions.
212
18 Introduction to Grids
Tutorial 18.11
1. Select Grid Calc > Grids > Load/Calculate Grid.
2. On the Load/Calculate dialog box, select a grid.
3. Click OK. This creates a new grid where all of the values from the
thorcontours.tpg grid have been shifted in the negative direction by 150 units.
4. Select Grid Calc > Grids > Save Grid.
5. The grid should now appear in the Grids folder in the Explorer window.
Contouring
Use Grid Calc > Contour and Limit Generation > Contour to contour grid models. The
contour lines generated using this menu are closed and can be used for masking grids and as
reserve limit lines.
Tutorial 18.12
1. Load design database thorgrids.dgd.isis.
2. Select Grid Calc > Grids > Load/Calculate Grid and choose thorcontours.tpg.
The grid is not shown in the Vulcan Envisage window but it has been loaded in Grid
Calc.
3. Select Grid Calc > Contour and Limit Generation > Contour. The Contour dialog
box displays.
4. On the Levels tab, select the Range Selection option and set the From at 0.0, To
700.00 and Interval at 25.0.
5. On the Save tab, select Save to database. Under Database name choose grids and
type CONTOUR as the layer name.
6. On the Advanced tab, select Less than.
7. Click OK.
The thorgrids.dgd.isis now contains layers CONTOUR 100 through CONTOUR 700.
These layers can be loaded and viewed in Vulcan Envisage.
Macros
Macros augment Grid Calc by allowing a series of command sequences to be recorded and
played back.
While using the Grid Calc module all of the commands that are used are saved in a macro called
replay.gdc_cmnd. This file is automatically generated and is stored in the Vulcan working
directory. It is overwritten with each new session of Grid Calc. To prevent the commands in the
replay.gdc_cmnd macro from being overwritten, the macro can be saved with a new name
using the Grid Calc > Macros > Save Macro command. Macros can be replayed using the
Grid Calc > Macros > Invoke Macro command.
213
19 Data Organisation
.TRI Folders
Vulcan recognises .00t files as triangulations and places them into the Triangulations folder
(Explorer window). To arrange triangulations in subfolders inside of the main project folder, the
subfolder name must end in .tri. This will direct Vulcan where to look for triangulation files.
Note:
This subfolder also
appears under the
Triangulations folder
in Explorer window.
Subfolders inside the .tri subfolder do not need the .tri extension in order for Vulcan to
recognise triangulation files; however it is good practice to continue the .tri extension in case
the subfolder is copied or moved in the future. If a .tri folder is created in the Vulcan Explorer
while Vulcan is open, the subfolder will not automatically be detected until Vulcan is restarted.
To create the .tri folder, right-click the Triangulation folder in the Vulcan Explorer and select
Create Directory. This way the .tri folder will show up automatically without restarting.
Remote Directories
Tutorial 19.1
Set up a .tri folder named facilities.tri.
Remote directories are different than .tri folders in that the folder does not need to be in the
working directory and is set up for .dgds, grids, triangulations, and more. Remote directories
are useful to access data in another working folder from your computer, or to access data in
another folder located on a network.
.TRI Folders
215
216
19 Data Organisation
20 Master/Working Directories
Multiple User Directories
Often more than one user is working in the same data area and potentially in the same layers in
a .dgd. In this situation, it is useful to create a master and a working directory to distinguish the
final data set from the draft that other users are editing.
To create multiple user directories on a network, file management and administration privileges
may be necessary.
217
Blocking a user:
To block a surveyor accessing the Engineering folder, set the Security parameters to readonly so data the engineers are working with can not be changed.
Accessing the Master Data
Once the folders are set up, each users Vulcan workspace requires configuration to access the
master data.
1. Select Tools > Preferences.
2. Select Vulcan Explorer.
3. Double-click the cell under the Remote Directories and Browse to the subfolder in the
master folder.
4. Type a Display Name.
5. Check for data you want to see from the master folder. For example, an engineer, can
browse to the Vulcan\MASTER\ENGINEERING folder (and rename to
Master_Engineering), and select to see the .dgd and the Triangulations in that
folder.
6. Click OK.
All the folders will appear in the Vulcan Explorer that correspond with the check boxed items
selected from the Remote Directory. For example, a folder will appear in this Design Databases
218
20 Master/Working Directories
folder for the Master_Engineering .dgd, as well as a similarly named folder in the
Triangulations folder.
Viewing Data from a Master Folder
When the master folder has been set up as a remote directory, that folder should appear in your
Vulcan Explorer under each of the files that were selected. You may then use files in the master
folder and copy layers from design databases in this folder in the same way you copy them from
one design database to another.
Data from the master .dgd should be brought into the working .dgd for editing, and saved
back to the master .dgd when it is done. No data should be edited directly in the master .dgd.
When users are working in their respective .dgd and folder, they can expand any remote
directory .dgd and access the data.
Do not switch the active .dgd to one in the remote directory. The active directory is signified by
a green lock make sure the green lock stays on the working .dgd for the individual user, not
on the master .dgd.
Posting Data to a Master Folder
There are two methods for posting or saving data to a master folder. The first option is to select
the master folder from the Vulcan start up and save data directly to the folder. The second is
Save Layer To, which is accessed under the File menu.
The Save Layer To option is most often used when the master folder is accessed using a
remote directory and allows you to save loaded layers into a design database (headered) other
than the open database. The database may be in any directory.
Saving a layer:
1. Select File > Save Layer To. The Open Data Area dialog box will display.
Use environment variable - Use for environment variables that point to the data
area. Type the environment variable. Make sure to add a forward slash (/) to the end
of the environment name.
Use absolute/relative path - Select this option to specify the path (relative or full)
to the data area.
Filter by project code - Tick this box if you want to list all of the design databases
that have the same project code as your project file (.dg1).
Load when starting Vulcan - Tick this box if you want to force Envisage to start
with the chosen design file. It is also possible to specify a design file to open when
Envisage starts by editing the project file.
219
3. A list is then produced of all the design database files found within the specified data
area. An arrow will be used to indicate the currently open design database.
4. Left-click on the required design database and click OK. Once selected, the chosen
design database is opened and a list of all the layers stored within it is displayed.
5. Left-click on the required layer and click OK.
You use the Pattern field, the Apply Pattern button, and wildcards (* multicharacter and ? single character) to highlight the layers that begin or end with
certain characters.
If you wanted to highlight all layers that begin with S, then type S* into the pattern
field and click the Apply Pattern button. Once selected, all matching layers are
highlighted.
After the desired layer has been chosen, you may be required to confirm that you
wish to overwrite its contents.
When using master folders, you will need to set the environment variable LOCAL_WORKFILE to
any value and this will override the default that the work file has created in the same folder as
the design database file.
220
20 Master/Working Directories
21 Plotting
Introduction to Plotting
In this section, you will learn how to use the Plot All Wizard, which will enable you to plot
anything that is displayed on-screen.
There are multiple ways of presenting data electronically. Screen dumps captures still images.
For interactive images, you can produce an Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) file representing a
video clip of the Vulcan Envisage window. In addition, a 3D interactive NGRAIN model can be
used to export from Vulcan into another format, such as Microsoft Office products or Printer
Data File (.pdf).
Introduction to Plotting
221
Tip!
When naming a plot
file, use caution.
Vulcan always
remembers your last
plot filename and will
use it by default. Be
sure to change the
plot filename,
otherwise any
previous plot with
that filename will be
overwritten. You will
not be given a
warning before
overwriting a file.
The next screen will prompt you for the drafting template or drafting sheet to use, and give you
the option to Render WYSIWYG1.
Figure 21-2: Envisage Plot All wizard dialog box - second screen
Use Default Template - A dynamic template for basic plotting needs that will work for
any paper plot size in either landscape or portrait. If the default template does not meet
the requirements for plotting needs, a drafting sheet should be used.
Use Drafting Sheet - Picks a drafting sheet from a drafting sheet database
(drafting.dgd.isis in the Resources folder). Vulcan provides several drafting sheets
that can be used for creating a new or customised drafting sheet.
Use Render WYSIWYG to plot underlays (triangulations, block model slices). This option
takes a screen shot of your plot area, which can by modified to specify a resolution in
.dpi (dots per inch).
Using a Default Plot Template
If the default template is used, the Envisage Plot All wizard dialog box will display. If the
required sheet size is not available, a custom size may be specified. You can also specify a
printer to use, which is only to determine the margins set for that printer. It is not recommended
that these margins be changed here in Vulcan, rather if they need to be changed, do so in the
settings for your printer in Windows.
Lastly, the orientation of the plot is selected as landscape or portrait. If using a title block with
the default template, or using a drafting sheet with fields set up, the Title block dialog box will
appear allowing you to fill in the title block fields.
222
21 Plotting
Figure 21-3: Envisage Plot All wizard dialog box - third screen
The following table contains a list of supported plotting variables that Vulcan allows in the Field
Value column. Use caution when typing the variables as they must appear exactly as they are
here (case sensitive).
Table 1: Plotting Variables
Variable
Text Plotted
%XAVG%
Average Easting
%YAVG%
Average Northing
%ZAVG%
Average Elevation
Easting
Northing
Elevation
%XMAX%
Maximum Easting
%YMAX%
Maximum Northing
Maximum Elevation
%XMIN%
Minimum Easting
%YMIN%
Minimum Northing
Minimum Elevation
%COUNTER%
%PLTFILNAM%
%SC%, %SCALE%
Scale
%SCALE%
Date
The next dialog box allows you to control whether or not grids are plotted. There are two main
options; Plot Grid Annotation or Draw Dynamic Grid. Use Plot Grid Annotation to specify a
grid colour and spacing. These grids may be displayed as crosses or lines. If there is a grid
currently displayed on the screen that should be included in the plot. Use Draw Dynamic Grid
Introduction to Plotting
223
Figure 21-4: Envisage Plot All wizard dialog box - fourth screen
The next dialog box allows you to specify the scale of the plot.
Figure 21-5: Envisage Plot All wizard dialog box - fifth screen
There are two options for setting the scale, Allow dynamic scale adjustment or Manual scale
adjustment. Manual adjustment allows you to key in a scale (example 1:1200). When using
dynamic scale adjustment, an origin must be specified by selecting Digitise Origin and then
selecting the origin in Vulcan Envisage.
A box will appear in the Vulcan Envisage window illustrating the extents of the plot based on the
specified scale. With dynamic adjustment, the size of the box can by changed by selecting
Adjust Extents, then clicking and holding any corner and dragging it to adjust the size. The
Adjust Extents tool can also be used to move the box by clicking and holding any edge of the
box and moving it to the desired location.
224
21 Plotting
Check Remember extents settings button so the current extents and scale settings for
each plot created in the current Vulcan Envisage session are retained.
Check the Preview plot file button to show the resultant plot in the Plot Utility. The Finish
button will generate the plot.
WYSIWYG Plotting
To plot triangulations, the WYSIWYG option needs to be active. This option works with both
user defined templates and with the default plot template. All other dialog boxes will be the
same, regardless of whether the WYSIWYG check box is active or not.
Tip!
For WYSIWYG plots,
the image resolution
should be between
100 and 300.
Resolutions greater
than 300 will create
large plot files and
the results may not
be any better than
they would at 300
.dpi.
Introduction to Plotting
If Vulcan crashes when creating a WYSIWYG Plot, go to Tools > Preferences and on the Video
Capture dialog box, check the box that says Use software rendering for single frame and
WYSIWYG capturing. This changes how the graphics card and drivers are used when creating
the image and can fix issues that occur with graphics cards and drivers.
Tutorial 21.1
Creating a simple plot using the Plot All Wizard:
1. Load layer CONTOURS and triangulation TQ1.
2. Reset the view to plan view.
225
Plot Utility
The Plot Utility is a separate program in Vulcan and can be open concurrently with Vulcan
Envisage. To switch between them, select the appropriate icon on the Application bar in the
lower right hand corner of the Vulcan window. To open Plot Utility, either double-click on any
plot file or click on the Vulcan Start button the lower right-hand corner of the Vulcan window
and select Plotting Utility.
226
21 Plotting
Plot Utility has its own specialised toolbars. The first is the Plot Utility Application toolbar, which
includes options to plot, printer setup, plot file properties, page drag mode, zoom box mode,
and zoom in/out mode.
Use the Printer Controls to choose or edit paper size and the plotter used to print out the plot
file.
This plotter can also be changed by using the printer icon or (File > Page Setup). When you
open a plot file in Plot Utility, a white sheet of paper will display to represent the selected sheet
size.
Use the Page Drag Mode icon on the Plot Utility Application toolbar to drag the sheet around
the screen. If the plot file is too large for the page size, the printer, page size, and orientation of
the paper will need to be changed. Only what fits onto the white paper is printed. Ensure there is
ample room for margins as well.
Once the layout of the plot is set up, the plot can be sent to the printer using File > Print. If the
plot was larger than the paper in the plot utility, use the Fit to page check box on the print
dialog box. This will make the plot larger or smaller so that it fills the entire page. Note that this
will change the scale and if a scale bar is present on the map, it will become invalid.
Introduction to Plotting
227
Tutorial 21.2
1. Create an 11X17 plot showing the boundary polygon, and warehouse polygons.
2. Name the plot Facilities1.vpgz.
228
21 Plotting
22 Presentation
Screen Dumps
The Screen Dump option is available from the Screen Dump toolbar, which is accessible by leftclicking on the Screen Dump icon.
Once the option is active, the following child toolbar will be displayed.
Tip!
In general .png or
.jpg are the most
common formats.
The screen capture will only capture data within the 3D Envisage window. Data can be captured
in the following outputs:
.png - Portable Network Graphics is a bit mapped image format.
.jpg - Commonly used standard method of compression for photographic images.
.bmp - Bit mapped graphics format used by Microsoft Windows, .bmp files are usually
not compressed and much larger than compressed image file formats of the same image.
.rgb - Image has three channels: red, green and blue that follow colour receptors in the
human eye and are used in computer display and image scanners.
.ireg - Vulcan image registration file both an image (.jpg) and ireg file are captured.
These can then be image textured onto a triangulation.
Screen Dumps
229
Images can also be saved in different resolutions as indicated in the drop-down list box.
Resolutions at Screen and higher, are preferred where the screen captures are used for printing
at large scales, such as posters.
1024 x 768 is the resolution of many projectors, so viewing in an image viewer at full screen on
such devices will give good results, as the image is mapped per pixel. When using smaller
resolutions, a blue box will appear to show you the extent of the screen dump. Smaller
resolutions are suitable for input for reports. Make sure to reset your resolution back to screen
when finished, otherwise the blue box will remain on screen even though the Screen Dump
option is closed.
To save the screen dump, click the disk icon on the toolbar, and the file will be saved to the
current Vulcan working directory. To copy the contents of the screen dump to the Windows
clipboard use the copy to clipboard icon.
230
22 Presentation
The screen dump can then be pasted into other software, such as Microsoft Word (see
below).
Tutorial 22.1
1. Load contours.00t and drillholes (Geology > Drilling > Load Drillholes) using
your assay legend.
2. Rotate your view in order to see both the drillholes and topography.
3. Open the Screen Dump child toolbar by left-clicking on the Screen Dump icon and
create an image called drill.jpg.
4. Select a resolution of 320 x 280 and click Save.
5. Open your working directory and double-click on drill.jpg to view the screen
dump.
Remember to reset your resolution back to screen when you are finished.
AVI Video
This option allows you to capture the image currently loaded in your Vulcan Envisage window
along with any movement applied to it.
Screen Dumps
231
4. Deselect the Enable recording AVI and then the Save Screen Dump icon to stop
recording. The file will be closed, which must be done before you can view the file
externally.
The speed at which the object(s) moves during the recording process is not the playback speed
(playback is much faster).
Tutorial 22.2
1. Load contours.00t and drillholes (Geology > Drilling > Load Drillholes) using
your assay legend.
2. Left-click the Screen Dump icon and open the Screen Dump toolbar.
3. Create a new audio video named drill.avi.
4. Set the screen resolution and click the Save Screen Dump icon.
5. Select a rotate mode and free rotate the data.
6. Click the Enable recording AVI icon.
7. Deselect the Enable recording AVI icon and load tq1.00t and click the icon again.
8. Zoom in on the tq1 ore body while in free rotate mode.
9. Deselect the Enable recording AVI and the Save Screen Dump icon to stop
recording.
Audio video files can become large very quickly so use caution when creating files.
NGrain
NGrain is an interactive 3D viewer that can be embedded in electronic documents such as
Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. The Export to NGrain option allows you to export design
data, triangulations, grids, and block models to the NGrain format. Anyone can then download
the free NGrain viewer and view the model.
This format allows users to view and rotate 3D data in space without having a Vulcan licence or
Vulcan software. The Export to NGrain option is found under the File menu in the Import
Export submenu.
232
22 Presentation
Type the name of the file that will store the exported data. The file will be saved within your
current working directory under the Other folder. The resolution can either be manually entered
or specified using the slider bar.
Block Models to NGRAIN
Once Block Models are selected from the NGrain Export dialog box, the Convert to NGrain
dialog box is displayed.
1. Enter the name of the block model that you want to export. Use the Browse button if
you want to select a block model file from a different location.
2. Enter the grade variable that you wish to export.
3. Enter the colour legend that will be used to colour the chosen grade variable.
4. Click OK.
Screen Dumps
233
The Block Selection dialog box allows either all of the blocks or just specific blocks to be
selected and exported. If you choose to select specific blocks, type one or more of the following
criteria:
Table 1: Block Selection options
Command
Definition
Variable
Bounding Triangulation
Bounding Box
Restricts blocks by a box. The bounding box is defined in Interactive or Coordinate mode.
Section Thickness
Condition
Reverse Matching
Uses the full cell evaluation method. If this check box is not ticked,
then the proportional cell evaluation method will be used.
Click OK and the NGrain Export dialog box is then re-displayed. You can either choose to
export additional data or right-click again to display the Convert to NGrain dialog box.
Inserting and Viewing NGRAIN Models
The first step in using an NGrain model is to download a viewer from the internet.
Once installed, you will need to make sure that you can run Macros and enable ActiveX controls
within Microsoft Word. The following is an NGrain model inside a Word document.
234
22 Presentation
The NGrain viewer will appear in the start menu under NGrain. It can be used to view and
manipulate NGrain models at any time. To insert NGrain models into Microsoft Office
documents follow the instructions under Adding Viewer to Documents.
In order for others to view NGrain in documents you create, they will need to download and
install the NGrain viewer as well. Once installed, they will be able to view and manipulate NGrain
models by simply opening the document.
Tutorial 22.3
Export the contours triangulation to NGrain and insert it into a Word document.
Screen Dumps
235
Index
Symbols
.TRI Folders, 215
Numerics
2D Filter with a Minimum deviation, 65
2D Text, 54
3D Text, 56
A
About this manual, 15
Administrative Restrictions, 218
Align View With Current Slicing Plane, 43
All located invisible, 149
Along Record Checks, 139
Analyse, 93
Area, 94
Areas and Volumes, 167
At specified screen angle, 51
B
Bearing Input, 50
Blend texture, 160
Boundary Tab, 162
C
Centroid, 95
Check Triangulation Stability, 191
Checking Triangulations, 190
Client windows, 18
Clip, 44
Clip Translucent Solids, 43
Close Solid, 191
Coincident Points, 191
Condition Tab, 164
Contouring, 204
Coordinate, 93
Corporate Standards, 4
Create Line At Given Angle, 51
Create Section View, 40
Creating Grids, 199
Curvature, 95
Custom Cursor, 94
Cut, 193
D
Data Attributes, 77
Data Import/Export, 85
Data Tab, 162
Database Validation, 138
E
Editing Tools, 59
Ensure triangulation is not striped, 157
Enter Record Selection Conditions, 143
Environment variables, 3
ENVIS_RESO, 4
Exercise, 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15
Export Shape, 92
Export Tables, 142
Exporting ASCII Files, 90
Exporting Data, 141
Exporting DXF Files, 86
Exporting Grids, 208
Extract Located to DB, 149
F
Fill triangles with pattern, 158
Find objects, 95
Fit Layer, 38
Floating windows, 18
Fonts, 53
G
Grid Calculator Utility, 209
Grid Masking, 202
Grid Mesh, 165
Grid Mesh Surfaces, 197
H
Hardware/System Requirements, 1
Hidden windows
Highlight Intersections, 43
HOME directory, 3
237
I
Image Registration, 169
Import Shape File, 90
Importing ASCII Data Files, 87
Importing DXF Files, 85
Indicate, 48
Interpolated Grids, 201
Point Edits, 67
Point Insert, 70
Point Label to Text, 97
Point Labels, 97
Point Labels to Text, 99
Polygon Area, 94
R
K
Key In Point Data, 48
L
Last located invisible, 149
Lava script, 216
Loading and Removing Data, 31
Loading and Removing Grids, 198
Loading Triangulations, 155
Locating Holes, 148
M
main menu, 18
Managing Grids, 199
Mapfile Overview, 150
Master Data, 218
Menus, windows, and toolbars
main menu
windows, 17
Minimum Area and Angle, 191
Modelling Data, 211
Move Slicing Plane, 43
Moving Data, 72
N
No Clipping, 44
Node Editing, 205
S
Save and Run, 139
Section View Properties, 43
Service packs, 5
Set View, 38
Set Visibility of Located, 149
Slice Backwards, 43
Slice Forward, 43
Small Angles, 191
Small Surface Area, 191
Smooth shading, 157
Snap to Grid, 48
Snap to Objects, 48
Snap to Points, 48
Solid shade triangulation, 156
Solid Volumes, 195
Split, 192
Spurs Tab, 163
Strike/Dip, 95
Surface definition angle, 158
Surface Triangulation Manipulation, 168
T
O
Object Area, 94
Object Edits, 60
Object Label, 99
Object Label to Text, 100
Ortho Rotation, 34
Ortho Sphere Rotation, 34
Other Views, 38
Own windows, 18
P
Panning, 33
Parallel to given line in 3D, 51
Parallel to given line on screen, 51
Perpendicular to given line on screen, 51
Perspective View, 36
Plot Utility, 226
Plotting, 221
238
U
Unique Collar Location, 139
Unloading Triangulations, 155
Updating an Existing Database, 143
Use Default Template, 222
Use Drafting Sheet, 222
Use load time shading, 158
Utilities > Export > Tables, 142
Index
V
Vertical Exaggeration, 38
View Ports and Overview Window, 35
Viewing and Animating Data, 31
Virtual Sphere Rotation, 34
Visibility, 39
Volume Calculations, 195
W
windows, 18
Work area, 17
Z
Zoom To Toolbar, 33
Zooming, 32
Z-Up Rotation, 34
239
240
Index