What's New in RockWorks

RockWorks20 was released in 2020 and includes a redesigned interface with numerous new features. Notable features introduced in the 2020 release include:

• The program includes a redesigned interface and screen layout with undockable program tabs, a single menu ribbon, and greatly expanded graphic annotations, now stored in a Peripherals layout tab.
• The software introduces a new Playlist tool for automation, along with a revamped scripting language (RockWorks Command Scripts).
• The release adds numerous new modeling and data visualization tools, including a new Animations menu with a significantly expanded list of animation options.

RockWorks has been continuously updated since its 2020 release, with many new features and enhancements added to the program in 2025-2026.

• Faulting Menu Consolidation: Options for incorporating faults into grids, solid models, and 2D/3D diagrams have been consolidated into a single Faulting tab, now available at the top of applicable RockWorks menus. This significantly improves workflow by centralizing settings in an easy-to-find location within the interface.
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• Contour Map Settings Consolidation: Contour and color band settings for both 2D grid maps and 3D surface displays have been consolidated into a single Contour Options tab. This simplifies the diagram creation process and ensures consistent displays in RockPlot2D and RockPlot3D.
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• Parallel Processing (Multithreading): High-level modeling routines have been optimized for multi-core processors. Users can specify the number of processors in the Setup | Preferences menu to improve performance.
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• Playlist Automation Manager: The Playlist, which allows for the sequential automation of any RockWorks command, has been continuously improved. Users can add programs to a list, save them as a .RwPlaylist file, and execute complex “import-to-model” workflows with a single click.
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• Updated Coordinate Conversion: The coordinate conversion tools have been updated to include an expanded and modernized library of EPSG and ESRI codes, along with new options for manually defining custom coordinate systems.
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• Radial Basis Function (RBF) Modeling: This 2D and 3D interpolation method has been added to the Gridding and Solid Modeling menus. It provides a “global” solution that is excellent for modeling complex, continuous plumes and other geologic bodies where other algorithms might produce artifacts.
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• IDW-Layered Algorithm: This specialized version of Inverse Distance Weighting constrains interpolation within horizontal layers. It is primarily a tool for modeling resistivity (ERT) profile data and enables efficient processing of large datasets.
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• Tri-Layering Algorithm: This solid modeling algorithm is designed for lithologic data. It constructs Voronoi-based polygonal models on a layer-by-layer basis and includes a randomization option similar to other RockWorks lithology modeling methods, resulting in more geologically realistic representations.
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• Hydrostratigraphy Table: This dedicated database table organizes units by hydraulic properties (aquifer, aquitard, etc.) within the Borehole Manager. It supports development of a conceptual site model that is independent of traditional lithologic units and geologic formations.
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• Proportional 2D/3D Symbols: Maps and 3D scenes support symbols that automatically scale based on quantitative data values. This feature is essential for “hot-spot” analysis and visual auditing of raw assay or concentration data, and is available through mapping tools linked to the Borehole Manager database and Datasheet.
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• 3D Contour Projection: This feature allows users to project 2D contour lines directly onto 3D grid surfaces (e.g., top of formation or ground surface), improving visualization of spatial relationships.
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• Raster Symbol Support: The software supports .BMP, .PNG and .JPG images as custom symbols in location maps and 3D diagrams.
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