Create Lithology Profile Diagrams

RockWorks | Borehole Operations | Lithology | Profile

Use this program to:

Create a new 3-dimensional solid model (an .RwMod file) representing interpolated lithology types
- OR -
Read an existing lithology .RwMod file you've already created, and
"Slice" this lithology model between two points and create a 2D profile diagram. Because the lithology is interpolated across the entire project, you can place the profile slice anywhere you like within the model space - you're not restricted to picking borehole locations as endpoints.

The lithologies will be represented in the model using the numeric "G-values" declared in the Lithology Types Table. The lithologies will be represented in the profile with the background color and/or pattern defined for the rock type in the Lithology Types Table. 2D striplogs can be projected onto the profile with true orientation maintained. Faults, surface profiles, infrastructure, and other layers can be appended to the diagram. The completed lithology profile will be displayed in RockPlot2D.

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

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 lithology 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.
2D Log Design
Click here to choose which data items are to be displayed in the logs, if activated via the Striplogs checkbox below, and in which order. See Using the 2D Log Designer and the Visible Item Summary.
! For Profile diagrams, striplogs will be projected onto the line of section; you'll be able to select the distance from the profile cut within which logs will be "grabbed" for display in the diagram. See Multi-Log Profiles for information.
! Deviated/inclined boreholes can be displayed with true geometry on the profile.
Profile Location
Click on this button at the top of the window to draw, on a map display of your enabled boreholes, where the profile cut (or multiple cuts, if you've requested parallel profiles, above) is to be placed. The most recent profile drawn for this project will be displayed. (More info)
Vertical Exaggeration
Click here to pre-define the vertical stretch you would like to apply to your diagram. By giving the program this information in advance of generating the profile, it can help with text and graphic sizing and placement. (More info.)
! Note that you can always change the vertical exaggeration at which the diagram is displayed, in the RockPlot2D window itself. But, by telling the program up-front how stretched it will be, you'll get better placement of the graphic components.
Model
Click this tab to define whether you want to create a new lithology solid model or you wish to use an existing lithology solid model (from a previous use of this program or another Lithology menu program), by clicking in the appropriate radio button.
! NOTE ! This is not trivial. Creating the lithology 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 3D voxel diagram, for example, you can use the same model, which was stored on disk as an .RwMod file, for the profile.
- Create New Model: To create a new model for the diagram, click in this radio button, and use the tabs to the right to establish the modeling settings.
  - Solid to be created: You may use the default program-assigned name, or click to the right to enter a different name for the lithologic model, such as "lithology". The program will append automatically the file name extension ".RwMod".
  - Create Filtering/Resampling Report: Check this item to generate a text report of the results of any spatial filtering you applied.
  - Limit Input: Check this box to activate an input data filter based on material type. Click on the tab to enter the filter settings. (More info)
  - Limit Output: Check this box to filter the output model based on material type. (More info)
  - Algorithm: Click this tab to select the modeling method to use, for interpolating your lithology model. (More info)
  - Special Options: Click on this tab to establish other model settings, such as tilting, warping, filtering above-ground, and smoothing. (More info)
- Use Existing Model: If you wish to use an already-existing lithology model, click in this radio button.
  - Solid Model: Browse for the name of the existing lithology model (.RwMod file) to be used for this profile diagram.
Fill Options
Click this tab to choose how to fill the profile layers; you can select either or both:
- Fill Background will fill the profile panels with the background color selected for the rock type in the Lithology Types Table.
- Plot Patterns will display the pattern selected for the material in the Lithology Types Table.
Striplogs
Check this item to include 2D logs with the lithology profile display. Click the 2D Log Design button at the top of the window to set up how you want the logs to look. Click on this tab to establish some additional striplog settings.
- Clip: Check this box if you want to display a subset of the log data. Click on the tab to define the elevation range to be displayed.
  - Top Elevation: Enter the uppermost elevation to be displayed in the logs.
  - Base Elevation: Enter the lowermost elevation to be displayed in the logs.
    ! Log clipping parameters are defined using elevations, not depths. (More info.)
- Save Log List: Check this to save to a text file the names of the boreholes that are included with the profile diagram.
  - File in which to store the Log List: Enter the name for the log list text file.
  - Display List Upon Completion: Check this to display the text list in Notepad (or equivalent) after the profile is completed.
- Collar Distances: Check this box to display at the top of the profile a series of labels that represents each borehole's distance to the profile line. (More info)
- Stripmap: Check this item to include a stripmap above or below the profile diagram, which depicts the position of the logs within the search "swath" relative to the profile. Click on this tab to establish the Stripmap location and appearance options. (More info)
Annotation
Click on this tab to establish title, border, axis labels, and other perimeter settings for the profile. (More info.)
Surface Profile
Check this box to include a polyline on the profile diagram that represents a user-selected elevation grid model, such as the ground surface.
Click on this tab to access the surface profile options.
- Grid Model: Browse for the name of the existing grid model (.RwGrd file) to be represented in the polyline.
- Polyline Attributes: Click this tab to establish the line settings. (More info.)
Faults
Check this box if you want to display lines in the output diagram where the profile slice intersects the fault(s) defined in the Faults program tab.
Click on this tab to set up the fault lines. (More info.)
Infrastructure
Check this box to display buildings, pipes, or other infrastructure with your profile.
Click this tab to define the infrastructure file and plot settings. (More info)
Other 2D Files
Check this option to include existing RockWorks profiles as layers with your lithology profile.
Click on this tab to select the existing profiles (.Rw2D files) to be included. (More info)
Peripherals
Check this option to include various peripheral annotations with your profile. Options include titles, text blocks, pattern legends, and more.
Click on this tab to activate the items and establish their settings. (More info)
Border
Check this option to include a solid line border around the entire profile image.
Click on this tab to establish border settings.
Parallel Profiles
Check this box if you want multiple profile lines to be drawn automatically, offset from the profile that you define.
Click on this tab to define the direction and spacing of the automatic profile lines, the maximum distance, and diagram labeling options. (More info.)
Location Map
Check this box to create, along with the profile, a reference map that shows the profile cut's location. It can be embedded in or created separately from the profile.
Click on this tab to establish the map options. (More info.)
Output Options
- Save Output File: Check this to assign a name for the diagram in advance, rather than displaying it as Untitled.
- - Automatic: Choose this option to have RockWorks assign the name automatically. It will use the name of the current program plus a numeric suffix, plus the ".Rw2D" file name extension.
  - Manual: Choose this option to type in a name of your own for this file.
- Display Output: Check this option to have the resulting diagram displayed in RockPlot2D once it is created.

Access the Borehole Manager program tab.
Enter/import your data into the Borehole Manager, if necessary. This tool specifically reads location, orientation (if any), and lithology data.
Enable boreholes: Be sure that all boreholes whose data are to be included in the lithology model (which will be sliced for the profile) are enabled.
Select the Borehole Operations | Lithology | Profile menu option.
Enter the requested menu items, described above.
Be sure to use the Profile Location button to define where the profile slice is to be located.
Click the Continue button to create the lithology profile diagram.
If you've selected Use Existing Model, the program will load the information from the existing lithology model (.RwMod file), and will proceed to diagram generation.

If you've selected Create New Model, the program will scan the project database and extract the borehole locations, lithology depths and materials, and any borehole orientation. It will apply any source data filters you have requested, and will interpolate the solid lithology model.

The program will then look at the coordinates specified for the profile cut and determine the closest nodes along the cut in the brand-new model, if created, or in the existing model. It will construct a vertical profile to illustrate the lithology types, using the rock types' background colors and/or patterns specified in the Lithology Types Table. Logs, a profile location map, and other layers will be appended if requested. The completed diagram will be displayed in a RockPlot2D tab in the Options window, if requested.
You can adjust any of the settings in the Options tab and then click the Continue button again to regenerate the profile.
! * If the lithology 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 lithology .RwMod file to be used for the profile.
View / save / manipulate / print / export the profile in the RockPlot2D window.

Use the Stretch button in RockPlot to fill the window with the profile. This is helpful if the profile is long and shallow.
If the profile looks better with a vertical exaggeration greater than or less than 1, you can pre-define this in the Options tab, which will generate better-looking axis annotations.

Back to Lithology Menu Summary

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