Voxel/Isosurface, Profile, Section, Fence, Plan and Surface Diagrams
Solid Modeling Introduction
Solid modeling is a true 3-dimensional gridding process, used to create a “box” of regularly-spaced nodes from your irregularly-spaced data. For known X, Y, and Z points in space (such as boreholes) the program can interpolate measured values such as geochemistry, geophysical measurements, even lithology types, or any other downhole or subsurface quantitative value.
The RockWare Utilities Solid / Model tool creates solid models from X, Y, Z, and G data listed in the main datasheet or in an external ASCII file. The Borehole Manager
Lithology, I-Data, P-Data, and Fractures menu tools (Profile, Section, Fence and Model) create solid models from lithology, interval- or point-sample quantitative data, or fracture data in the respective data tabs.
Once it knows the dimensions of your study area, the program divides it into three-dimensional cells or "voxels," their dimensions automatically or user-determined. Each voxel is defined by its corner points or nodes. Each node is assigned the appropriate X, Y, and Z location coordinates according to its relative placement within the study area. A fourth variable, "G", which can represent grade of ore, concentration of pollutants, etc., is estimated based on the G value of the given data points.
There are several methods offered to do this interpolation of your data. Each operates differently, and each has strengths and differences. These are discussed under Solid Modeling Methods in the Reference section.
What Can I do with a Solid Model?
Once you have a solid model (or “.MOD”) file created, illustrating the distribution of your geochemistry, geophysical measurements, lithology, or other measured values, it can be used in a variety of ways:
See it:
Illustrate it as a 3-dimensional block diagram.
Display a vertical slice of the model as a 2-dimensional profile (1 slice) or section (multiple slices).
Display a horizontal slice of the model as a 2-dimensions “plan” map.
Display multiple vertical slices of the model as a 3-dimensional fence diagram.
Manipulate it:
Use the new RockPlot3D window to visually manipulate solid models, setting high and/or low G value nodes to transparent, inserting slices, rotating the display.
Use the RockWare Utilities Solid menu tools to filter models, perform computations on nodes, edit models, and more.
Compute its volume (and mass):
Volume is automatically computed for the solid models (and updated as filters are applied) when displayed in RockPlot3D.
Create a detailed volume report of the model after filtering it based on G values, surface polygons, overburden ratios, and more.
Create a simplified pit design by fitting a grid surface below specified zones of a solid model.
RockWare Utilities: Creating a Solid Model of XYZG Data
If you have X,Y,Z,G data displayed in the RockWare Utilities datasheet, or stored in an external ASCII file, you can use the Solid / Model tool to create solid models of this data.
The X (Eastings), Y (Northings) and Z (elevation) coordinates note the sample locations, and "G" represents the measured value to be modeled. G can represent geochemical concentrations, geophysical measurements, etc. A variety of modeling algorithms are available. The Solid / Model tool is also used to create 3-dimensional diagrams to illustrate solid models.
The Solid / Profile tool displays a single, vertical slice of the solid model in 2D; and the Solid / Section tool displays multiple, connected profile slices of the solid model in 2D.
The Solid / Plan tool displays a single, horizontal or plan-view slice in 2D; and the Fence tool displays multiple vertical slices in 3D.
! If you have geochemical, geophysical, or lithology data from boreholes, recorded as depths and measured values, use the Borehole Manager’s tools to create solid models and corresponding diagrams. (See next topic.)
Datasheet: RockWare Utilities “XYZG” file (see 75).
Notes: You can use this tool to create a solid model only (e.g. no diagram). You can use this tool to create a 3-D diagram from an already-existing solid model (e.g. no new model).
Help / Contents / Working in the RockWare Utilities / Solid Model Tools.
Borehole Manager: Creating Lithology Models and Voxel, Fence, Profile, Section, Surface and Plan Map Diagrams
Creating Lithology Models and Diagrams - Overview
Use the tools in the Borehole Manager's Lithology menu to interpolate your downhole lithology data into a solid model, and visualize the interpolated model using a variety of diagram types - a vertical profile or cross section, a fence diagram with any number and arrangement of panels, a plan-view slice, a “geology” map where lithology intersects a surface, and a 3D voxel diagram.
The lithology descriptions are read from the Lithology tab, which lists depths and observed rock types. Unlike stratigraphy listings, lithology descriptions can repeat, and don't need to be listed in the same order in each boring.
Because of this, RockWorks does not use surface modeling tools to display lithology, but rather, solid modeling tools. There is a specific solid model algorithm designed to interpolate lithology from depth intervals in borings out to a solid model, called
"lithoblend." The resulting solid model can be sliced vertically (profile, section, and fence diagrams), sliced horizontally (plan map), displayed on a surface, and/or displayed as a 3D block.
Lithology types are represented in the solid model as integer values, based on the "G"
value you have listed for each rock type in the Lithology TypeTable (page 235). For example, "gravel" might be coded with a "1", and "sand" with a "5," for example. In the output diagrams, each lithology is represented using the background color you've selected for its pattern, also in the Lithology Type Table.
Notes:
• The lithology keywords are listed in the project’s Lithology Type Table (page 235).
• For lithology models, the program will use the Horizontal Lithoblending algorithm because it was designed specifically to model lithology types.
• Optional surface filtering is available to zero-out nodes above a surface model (such as the ground surface) or a stratigraphic unit, and/or below a unit. Additional options include applying a regional tilt to the modeling, as well as warping the lithology model based on a surface.
• Once you have the solid model file created, you can use that existing model for future block, fence, profile, section, and plan diagrams. (They can all share the same MOD file without having to recreate it each time; choose Use Existing Model in the diagram’s Options window.)
• See page 145 for information about drawing profile, section, and fence panel traces.
• See page 167 for information about lithology volume tools.
Help / Contents / Working in the Borehole Manager/ Lithology Tools
Lithology Diagrams
Lithology / ModelUse the Borehole Manager's Lithology / Model tool to create a 3-dimensional voxel diagram that illustrates lithology types. The lithologies will be color-coded based on their background colors in the Lithology Type Table. During the process of building the block diagram, the program will create a solid model of the lithologies using the “lithoblend”
algorithm. 3D striplogs can be appended. Selected lithology types can be displayed and volumes computed.
Lithology / Fence
Use the Borehole Manager's Lithology / Fence tool to interpolate a solid model or read an existing model representing lithology and create a 3-dimensional fence diagram that illustrates material types with color-coded panels. You may request regular panel spacing, in a variety of configurations, or you can draw your own panels. 3D logs can be
appended.
Lithology / Profile
Use this tool to to interpolate a solid model or read an existing model representing lithology and create a 2-dimensional (flat) vertical profile, between any two points in the study area. The profile layers are color-coded based on rock type. Striplogs can be projected onto the panel plane.
Lithology / Section
This tool is used to interpolate a solid model or read an existing model representing lithology and create a 2-dimensional, vertical, multi-paneled section of lithology. The section panel endpoints can be drawn anywhere in the study area. The section’s layers are color-coded based on rock type. Striplogs can be appended at panel junctions.
Lithology / Surface Map
Use this tool to interpolate a solid model or read an existing model representing lithology and create a 2-dimensional map representing the lithology where it intersects a designated surface, typically the surface topography. In other words, it creates a geological map based on downhole lithology data.. This is stored as a RockWorks grid model (GRD), and the map is displayed in the RockPlot2D window.
Notes: You need to be sure that the dimensions and node density of the grid model and the solid model are the same.
Lithology / Plan Map
The Lithology / Plan Map tool is used to interpolate a solid model or read an existing model representing lithology and create a 2-dimensional map representing the lithology along a horizontal slice, at a specified elevation. This is stored as a RockWorks grid model (GRD), and the map is displayed in the RockPlot2D window.