RockWorks File Types

The following is a list of the file types used in RockWorks.

User-Created Data Files

• RwDat: User-created files, for processing data in the RockWorks Utilities datasheet. They can contain rows and columns of text, numeric values, symbols, color, line styles, and more. Text in format. File name extension = [.RwDat]. See Utilities Datasheet Overview and RwDat File Format for more information. 
• RCL: "RCL" files are created by the user outside the RockWorks program in a text editor.  These files contain a series of commands used for two main purposes: storing individual menu settings and running RockWorks in a batch mode.  "RCL" stands for "RockWare Command Language."  See Using the RockWare Command Language and RCL Format for information.
  
  
• ATD: Older-format. "ATD" files are user-created files for processing data in the RockWorks Utilities datasheet, in older RockWorks versions (RockWorks2002 - Rockworks15). You can open these files in the current version of RockWorks; you'll need to re-save them in the new ".RwDat" format.
  ! Use the RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool, installed with RockWorks, to batch-convert old .ATD files to the new .RwDat format.

Program-Created Database Files

• SQLite: This is a SQLite database file that is generated by RockWorks automatically when you create a new project folder. It stores all of the borehole data for the project, many of the data libraries, and the project dimensions.  The database file name must match the folder name; for example the SQLite file in the "Golden Project" folder will be named "Golden Project.sqlite".  File name extension = [.sqlite].  The database will create support files, such as XML data "dictionaries" in the current project folder, in a "System" sub-folder.  Most of your project look-up tables, such as color contour tables, polygon definitions, etc, are stored in the project SQLite file.  See Borehole Manager Database Overview and Summary of Database Tables for details. 
  
  Note that SQLite is the default database format for RockWorks. You can also choose MDB (Microsoft Access). If you are using RockWorks Advanced, you can also use Microsoft’s SQL Server as the data server.  MS SQL databases are not typically stored in the project folder, but in the defined server location; the link to that location is saved in the project folder.
  
  

Program-Created Model Files

• RwGrd: "Grid" files are created by RockWorks as the result of gridding X,Y,Z data in the Utilities, or of gridding formation, thickness, water level or other spatial data in the Borehole Manager. Grid files can also be the result of filtering or importing existing grid files. Grid files are text and encrypted in format, with the file name extension [.RwGrd]. See Gridding Reference and RockWorks Grid File Format. 
• RwMod: "Solid Model" files are created by RockWorks as the result of modeling X,Y,Z,G data in the Utilities, or of modeling lithology, geochemical, geophysical, fracture or stratigraphic data in the Borehole Manager. They can also be the result of filtering or importing existing solid models. They are text and encrypted in format, with the file name extension [.RwMod]. See Solid Modeling Reference and RockWorks Solid Model Format. 
  
  
• GRD: Older-format. These are Grid files used in older RockWorks versions (RockWorks2002-RockWorks15). RockWorks will open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new RwGrd format.
  ! Use the RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool, installed with RockWorks, to batch-convert old .GRD files to the new .RwGrd format.
• MOD: Older-format. These are Solid Model files used in older RockWorks versions (RockWorks2002 - RockWorks15). RockWorks will open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new RwMod format.
  ! Use the RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool, installed with RockWorks, to batch-convert old .MOD files to the new .RwMod format.

Program-Created Graphic (Plot) Files

• Rw2D: These "plot" files are created in the RockPlot2D window to store all RockWorks2D graphic images (2D maps and logs, cross sections, rose and stereonet diagrams, etc.). They are binary in nature, and use the file name extension [.Rw2D].  Rw2D files store diagram type (map, section, chart), coordinate system, and units. See RockPlot2D. 
• Rw3D: These are "plot" files created in the RockPlot3D window to store the information in a 3-dimensional graphic image (3D surfaces and logs, solid models, fence panels, etc.). These are text/XML in format and contain links to solid models, bitmap images, etc. that may be displayed in the RockPlot3D view. The file name extension is [.Rw3D]. Rw3D files store coordinate system and units. See RockPlot3D. 
• RwRpt: These are graphic files created by the ReportWorks program, storing the page layout of inserted images, text, shapes, and more.  The file name extension is [.RwRpt].  See ReportWorks.
  
  
• RK6: Older-format. These are plot files created by RockWorks2006 - RockWorks15. RockWorks can open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning diagram type, coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new Rw2D format.
  ! Use the RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool, installed with RockWorks, to batch-convert old .RK6 files to the new .Rw2D format.
• RKW: Older-format. These are plot files created by RockWorks2002 - RockWorks2004. RockWorks can open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning diagram type, coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new Rw2D format.
• R3DXML: Older-format. These are 3D plot files created by RockWorks2006 - RockWorks15. RockWorks can open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new Rw3D format.
  ! Use the RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool, installed with RockWorks, to batch-convert old .R3DXML files to the new .Rw3D format.
• R3D: Older-format. These are 3D plot files created by RockWorks2002 - RockWorks2004. RockWorks can open these files; you will be prompted to update the format by assigning coordinate projection and units, and re-save in the new Rw3D format.
• RW6: Older-format. These are files used in ReportWorks2006 - ReportWorks15. ReportWorks can open these files, however and embedded or linked "RK6" (RockPlot2D) files will need to be re-inserted, using the newer "Rw2D" format.

Program Libraries

• RwPat: These are Pattern Tables that contain the designs for repeating graphic patterns used in logs, cross sections, lease maps, etc. RockWorks is shipped with a library of patterns in the default "RockUtil.RwPat" table; you can save this file under a different name, delete patterns, add pattern designs, etc, via the Project Manager pane (along the left edge of the program window) - expand System Tables and double-click on the Patterns item. Pattern files are binary in format, with the file name extension [.RwPat]. See Pattern Tables Overview. 
• SYM: These are Symbol Tables that contain the designs for graphic symbols used in maps, statistical diagrams, logs, etc. RockWorks is shipped with a library of symbols in the default "rw_sym.sym' table.  You can save this file under a different name, delete symbols, add symbol designs, etc, via the Project Manager pane, along the left edge of the program window: expand Misc Tables and double-click on the Symbols item.  Symbol files are binary in format, with the file name extension [.sym]. See Symbol Tables Overview. 
• rockware_landbase2.xx: This is a series of files that can be downloaded from the RockWare website.  They contain coordinate information for PLSS (Public Land Survey System) land grids, extracted from BLM LSIS files, and can be used to spot wells or leases, and to create section maps.  See Landbase Overview.
• SDB: Lookup tables that are not project-specific, such as color names or well status, are stored in a database file that is installed in the RockWorks System folder.  See RockWorks Tables
  
  
• PAT: Older-format. These are Pattern libraries used in RockWorks2002 - RockWorks15. You can import these pattern libraries into the Select Pattern window into the current version of RockWorks.
• TAB: Older-format. These are user-created Tables that were previously used in a variety of places in RockWorks.  Many have been incorporated into (and are importable into) the project or system database. 

Importable Files

• BMP, JPG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, WMF, EMF, PCX, PCC, TGA, AFI, VST, ICO  (RockPlot2D, RockPlot3D, or as grid models), DBase (data), DEM (grid models), DXF (RockPlot2D, RockPlot3D, data), GXF (grid models), Surfer/GRD (grid models), DLG (RockPlot2D), ESRI/e00 (RockPlot2D), ESRI Shapefile/SHP (into RockPlot2D), TXT (data), Excel/XLS (data), LAS (Log ASCII Standard) (data).

Exported Files

• RockWorks can export the following file types: AVI (RockPlot3D), BMP, JPG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, WMF, EMF, PCX, PCC, TGA, AFI, VST, ICO (RockPlot2D, RockPlot3D, ReportWorks), DBF (from data), DXF (RockPlot2D, grid models), ENZ (from grid models), Surfer/GRD (grid models), ESRI Shapefile/SHP (Database, RockPlot2D, RockPlot3D), TXT (data), Excel/XLS (data).

Miscellaneous Program-Created files

• TXT: These files are created by the program when you request reports (volumes, etc.) and serve as its own reference for errors, menu summaries.  (See Program Preferences for how to request menu summaries).

 See also:  International Number Formats

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