Create
Use Create to build continuous solid triangulations from strings or polygons representing a solid body, such as an ore body, dump, or stope. The option takes the perimeters or strings selected from the Vulcan Envisage screen and builds triangulations between them.
Figure 17-1: Building triangulations
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.
174 17 Triangulation Solids Note:
Closed polygons are not required;
however the non-closed portion will not be triangulated.
Select Model > Triangle Solid > Create. The Create 3D Solid dialog box will display.
Figure 17-2: Create 3D Solid dialog box
Table 1: Create 3D Solid Options
Command Definition
Build single solid or Break solid by strings
Creates one continuous solid unlike Break solid, which creates separate triangulations between each string. Under Build single solid triangulation, there is an option to append resulting
triangu-lations to an existing triangulation.
Construct first end plate and Construct
last end plate
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.
Use tie strings Uses of existing lines to connect polygons.
Figure 17-3: Tie strings
Modelling Techniques 175 Building a solid triangulation:
1. Select Model > Triangle Solid > Create.
2. Specify your settings in the Create 3D Solid table.
3. Click OK.
4. When prompted, pick the first string.
5. Now pick the next string to triangulate.
6. From the Select triangulation colour palette, colour the triangulation.
Figure 17-4: Select triangulation colour
A triangulation between the first two strings will be generated.
7. Type a shell name.
8. When prompted, pick the next string to triangulate.
9. When finished, right-click to exit the command.
Optimum triangulation Specifies the triangulation method using a complex triangulation algorithm, which takes into account the overall shape, the poly-gons and the number of points in the polypoly-gons. This constructs the
best triangles between the two shapes to represent the structure as a solid object. User guided triangulation produces the simplest case model and is not suitable for complex structures, unless well defined by the tieline. It should only be used when triangulating
long, similar strings.
Use automatic sec-tion increment
Creates a triangulation from a section view rather than in 3D. A section width and step size must be specified to correlate the dis-tance between the polygons. Once a polygon is selected for
trian-gulation, Vulcan will increment through the sections.
Use crossing triangu-lations/trifurcation
check
Should be checked to ensure the triangulation will pass validity tests after it is completed. Vulcan will prompt when it detects a crossing triangulation, however, even with the option turned on,
some triangulations may still fail these checks.
Prompt to close open strings
Prompts when open strings are selected, to close selected strings.
Open strings may affect the volume of the final triangulation.
Solid shaded surface Displays new triangulations as solid shaded surfaces and not as wireframe meshes or translucent. It is recommended to keep this
option checked.
Show triangles on shaded surface
Displays the actual triangulation lines as well as the solid shading.
This option only works if Solid shaded surfaces option is selected.
Table 1: Create 3D Solid Options (Continued)
Command Definition
176 17 Triangulation Solids 3D Picking Context Menu
The 3D Picking menu controls how to select strings for the triangulation.
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 2: 3D Picking Context Options
Command Definition
Complete Uses the entire string or polygon to create the triangulation.
Polygon Interactively creates a polygon used as the next string.
Partial Use this option when only part of a string or polygon is to be used and for creating splits in triangulations.
Line Interactively creates a line, which Vulcan will use to continue the triangulation. Lines, whether digitised interactively or beforehand,
are used to pinch-off solid triangulations.
Multiple Specifies an object using the standard criteria selection. For exam-ple Select by layer. Vulcan will connect all the polygons in the
selected layer into a valid solid triangulation.
Point Interactively selects a point to triangulate.
Translate Copies and translates existing polygons.
Table 3: 3D Create Options
Command Definition
Save Saves the triangulation.
Reverse Reverses the direction of the last selected string and then re-trian-gulates between the last two strings, stopping strings being
digi-tised in different directions.
Split Stops the progression of the triangulation and allows you to select a new start string. Caution should be used if the Construct End
Plates options are turned on, so that the last string is not in the middle of the solid.
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 Inserts, deletes, moves or filters points or delete strings. Filtering points removes excess points without altering the shape of the
string. This is the same Filter option as found in the Design >
Object Edit submenu.
Ties Digitises tielines interactively when triangulating.
Delete Deletes selected polygons.
Modelling Techniques 177 Continue Returns the Create Solid option to Vulcan Envisage to allow you to
continue selecting strings to triangulate. Use the Continue option and one right-click to return to the 3D Picking menu.
Cancel Right-clicking in this dialog box confirms the cancellation of the Create Solid option, and prompts you to either Save edits or Don’t Save. This is the last chance to save what has been triangulated, as you can not go back to previous Create Solid menus. Caution
should be used with the right-click action.
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, right-click 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.
Figure 17-5: Simple solid
Table 3: 3D Create Options (Continued)
Command Definition
178 17 Triangulation Solids 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.
Figure 17-6: Solid triangulation - stage 1
Figure 17-7: Solid triangulation - stage 2
Modelling Techniques 179 4. Select Model > Triangle Solid > Create. Beginning at the top where there is one
polygon and working down, pick your strings until you come to the last single polygon. Vulcan will prompt you to pick the next string to triangulate.
Figure 17-8: Solid triangulation - stage 3
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.
Figure 17-9: This part selection Tutorial 17.2 (Continued)
180 17 Triangulation Solids