Create Solid Models and 3D Diagrams of Downhole Fracture Data

RockWorks | Borehole Operations | Fractures | Solid

Use this program to:

• Create a new 3-dimensional solid or block model representing distance to fractures or to fracture intersections across the study area (an .RwMod file)
  - OR -
  Read an existing .RwMod file you've already created, and
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• Display the model in RockPlot3D as a 3D isosurface diagram or voxel diagram which illustrates proximity to downhole fractures.

! This is typically the first step in interpolating your downhole fracture data. Once you have a solid model that does a good job representing your data, you can use that existing .RwMod file for the other visualization tools in the Fractures menu (sections, fences, etc.).

! Unlike P-Data, T-Data, and I-Data models, Fracture models are created using a specialized modeling algorithm that represents distance to fractures.

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
Tips

Menu Options

• Rules & Filters: Use the buttons at the top of the window to apply filters and rules for this program. (More info)
  • Spatial Filter: Filter the input data for the fracture model based on XYZ location, filter the data to be displayed in striplogs, if activated. Note that these tools filter the data that is passed to the modeling and log-generating procedures. This is distinct from the filters that are applied once the model is completed, and described below.
  • Time Filter: Filter any T-Data or Aquifer data in striplogs, if activated.
  • Stratigraphic Rules: Apply stratigraphy rules for Stratigraphy data in striplogs, if activated.
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• 3D Log Design
  If you decide to include logs with your voxel or isosurface diagram ("Striplogs" setting, below), click on this button at the top of the window to set up how you want the 3D logs to look.
  
  • Visible Items: Use the check-boxes in the first pane to select which log items are to be displayed. See Visible Item Summary for information about the different log items.
  • Options: Click on any of the Visible Items names to see the item's settings in the Options pane to the right. See the Visible Item Summary for links to the Options settings.
  • Layout Preview: For each item you've activated, you'll see a preview cartoon in the upper pane. Click and drag any item to the left or right to rearrange the log columns. See Using the 3D Log Designer.
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• Model
  Click this tab to define whether you wish to use an existing solid model (from a previous use of this program or another Fractures menu program) or you wish to create a new solid model, by clicking in the appropriate radio button.
  
  ! NOTE This is not trivial. Creating the solid model can take some time, depending on the resolution of the model and the detail of your data. If you already created a pleasing model for display as a profile, for example, you can use the same model, which was stored on disk as an .RwMod file, for the solid or isosurface.
  • Create New Model: If want to create a new model, click in this radio button, and use the tabs to the right to establish the modeling settings.
    • Solid To Be Created: Click to the right to enter a name for the solid model. RockWorks should appen the .RwMod file name extension.
    • Fracture Options: Use these settings to define the type of frature model to be created:
      • Distance to Closest Fracture: This algorithm assigns block model node values that represent the distance to the closest fracture.
      • Distance to Closest Fracture Intersection (Very Slow): This algorithm assigns block model node values that represent the distance to the closest fracture intersection. Due to the huge amount of possible "beta" intersections, this algorithm can be very slow. The resolution of the model also determines the "granularity" of the intersection computations.These models can become very important when performing geotechnical analyses (tunneling, fluid flow, mineralization, etc.).

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      • Negate Node Values: Fracture models represent distance-to-fractures, so sometimes you'll be looking for high values (long distances to fractures representing stable areas) and sometimes you'll be looking for low values (short distances to fractures, for material movement).
        • Leaving this setting OFF will result in close-fracture areas being at the bottom of the model's scale (low values) and distant-from-fracture areas being at the top of the model's scale (high values).
        • The Negate Node Values option basically switches the scale around by multiplying the distance values by -1, so that low-valued/close-to-fracture areas now plot at the top of the scale. This can be particularly handy when displaying isosurface models of fracture proximities in RockPlot3D, and you really want to see close-to-fracture zones. Note, however, that with Negate Node Values turned on, you'll get negative distance values.
        • Consider the following diagram of a solid fracture model, generated with Negate Node Values turned on, and shown with the isosurface filtered to show only high values. These represent close-to-fracture zones.

        

    • Dimensions: Click here to establish the output dimensions (and node density) of the Fracture model. Unless there's a specific reason to do otherwise, you should probably leave the solid model dimensions set to the current project dimensions. (More info)
    • Smoothing: Insert a check here to smooth the solid model G values based on a filter size and number of iterations. This can generally create a smoother, less "noisy" model. (More info)
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  • Use Existing Model: Click in this radio button if you wish to use an already-existing solid model of your fracture data.
    • Solid Model: Click to the right to browse for the name of the existing solid model (.RwMod file) to be used for this 3D display.
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• 3D Solid Diagram
  Insert a check here to display the new or existing solid model as a 3D diagram.
  Click this tab to establish the diagram options.
  • Block Diagram
    • Isosurface: Click in the Isosurface radio button to display the solid model as if enclosed in a "skin." This view will be smoother than a voxel display. (More info)
      • Isomesh: Check this box to plot a series of polylines that represent three-dimensional contours at a user-defined cutoff. Click this tab to establish the settings. (More info)
    • Voxels: Click in the Voxels radio button to represent the solid model in the 3D display as color-coded voxels. You can choose to display either the Full Voxel, or just the Midpoint. Display of the midpoint only can significantly improve display time for huge models.
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    • Filter: Check this option if you want to restrict the isosurface or voxel display to a specific data range. This does not affect the model, only the display of the model. Enabling this permits you to create an initial display in RockPlot3D that eliminates the need to manually change the display attributes. More importantly, this capability if essential for initially displaying the solid in a pre-filtered state when creating animations and Playlist scripts.
      ! These filter settings can be changed once the diagram is displayed in RockPlot3D.
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    • Color Scheme: Choose the color scheme for the block model - automatic, table-based, etc. (More info)
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  • Striplogs: Check this item to include 3D logs with the fracture model display. Click the 3D Log Design button at the top of the window to set up how you want the logs to look.
    • XYZ Clipping: Check this sub-item if you want to restrict the logs to a particular spatial area. (More info)
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  • Other 3D Solid Diagram Options: Use these checkboxes to append other layers to your 3D scene. (Summary)
    
    • Draped Image: Include an image in this 3D scene, draped over an existing grid surface. (More info)
    • Floating Image: Include an image in this 3D scene, floating at a specified elevation. (More info)
    • Perimeter Cage Include a 3D reference cage around the solid diagram. (More info)
    • Legends: Include one or more legends with the diagram.(More info)
    • Infrastructure: Display buildings, pipes, or other infrastructure with your 3D scene. (More info)
    • Faults: Include 3D fault ribbons with this scene. (More info)
    • Other 3D Files: Include other, existing, RockPlot3D ".Rw3D" files in this scene. (More info)
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  • Output Options: Use these settings to define whether the output scene is to be displayed after it is created and how/whether it is to be saved in a file in the project folder. (More info)
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Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab.
2. Enter/import your data into the Borehole Manager if you have not already done so. This tool specifically reads location, orientation (if any), and Fractures data.
3. Select the Borehole Operations | Fractures | Solid menu option.
4. Enter the requested program settings, described above.
5. Click Continue to proceed with model and diagram generation.

   If you've selected Use Existing Model, the program will load the information from the existing model (.RwMod file), and will proceed to diagram generation.

   If you've selected Create New Model, RockWorks will scan the project database and extract the XYZ points for all of the downhole fracture measurements. It will use its dedicated fracture-proximity algorithm to create a solid model of the distance to fractures or the distance to fracture intersections (as requested) in the project. The completed model will be stored on disk under the indicated file name.

   If you have requested "Negate Values" then the distances will be multiplied by "-1" so that large distances will become very large negative numbers, and easier to filter from the display in RockPlot3D.

   If you requested a diagram, the model will be displayed in a RockPlot3D tab in the Options window, using the using the requested display type. Any additional 3D layers that you have requested will be appended to the scene.

6. You can adjust any of the model and diagram options and then click the Continue button again to regenerate the model and/or display.

   ! If the fracture model looks OK and you just need to adjust one of the diagram settings, you don't need to keep re-interpolating the model. Choose Use Existing Model and browse for the .RwMod file to be used for the 3D view.

7. View / save / manipulate / print / export the model in the RockPlot3D window.
   

Tips

• Double-click on the solid model name in the data portion of the RockPlot3D window to access the model settings: transparency, data filters, color scheme, etc.
• Use the File | Append command to append other RP3D images such as surfaces or other solids/isosurfaces.
• Once you have a solid model that appears to represent well your fracture proximities, you can use that existing model (.RwMod file) to create other diagram types: profiles, sections, fences, plan and surface maps, using the other tools in the Fractures menu. You don't need to re-interpolate the background solid model each time.
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See also

• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
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Back to Fracture Menu Summary

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