Importing Grid Models in Other Formats

RockWorks | Utilities | Grid | Import

This program is used to read an existing set of gridded data stored in one of the accepted formats and translate the data into a RockWorks grid file format. This tool also imports raster images (JPG or BMP) and translates them into a grid format.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Input Columns: Use these prompts along the left edge of the options window only if you will be creating a 2D map (Create Grid Diagram, below) and request that Symbols be included in the map.  These prompts are used to specify the columns in the current datasheet that contain the X (Easting) and Y (Northing) coordinates for the map locations to be represented with symbols in the output map.  These prompts will be ignored if you aren't creating a 2D map with symbols.
  
  
• Input Model: Click to browse for the name of the grid file that you wish to import into RockWorks.  If you are importing a bitmap (raster) image, see below for supported file types.
• Output Model: Click to type in the name under which the new, RockWorks-compatible grid model (.RwGrd file) will be stored.
  
  
• Input Format: Select the format in which the input file is stored by clicking in the appropriate radio button.  Be sure to expand those items with a "+" symbol to access any additional options.
  • ASCII: ASCII grid files consist of a list of space- or tab-delimited xyz values in which each line contains one node, also referred to as "Text" format.
    • This file must also include 6 header lines that list the following:
      • The minimum X coordinate
        The maximum X coordinate
        The minimum Y coordinates
        The maximum Y coordinate
        The spacing of the nodes along the X axis
        The spacing of the nodes along the Y axis
    • Followed by the listing of the X Y Z triplets, one for each grid node.
    • Tip:  Use the Grid / Export / ASCII XYZ option, with header turned on, to export an existing RockWorks grid model to an ASCII format.  That output file has the same format as the ASCII input file here.
       
  • Bitmap: RockWorks can import raster images and store them as grid models. The supported file types are BMP, JPG, EMF and WMF, PCX, PNG, TGA, and TIFF.
    • Image Location:  You have several options for entering the coordinates which will correspond to the image borders.
      • Project Dimensions:  Choose this option if the current project dimensions represent the border coordinates for the image you've selected.
      • World File: Choose this option if there is an accompanying World File which defines the image extents.  Expand this heading to select the World File.
        • Automatically Determine:  Choose this option if the program is to search automatically for a World File with the same file name as the Input Model, above, and with either world file name extensions: *.bmpw or *.bpw  (italicized letters are replaced by the extension characters of the Image File, as in *.pngw or *.pgw, etc.)
        • Manually Select: Choose this option to specify the name for the World File.  Expand this heading to browse for the World file to be used for georeferencing the selected image.
      • Manually Specify:  Click in this radio button if you want to type in the X and Y coordinates for the bitmap edges.  Expand this heading to enter those coordinates.
        • Western Border: Enter the X (Easting) coordinate represented along the western edge of the image (X-Min).
        • Southern Border: Enter the Y (Northing) coordinate represented along the southern edge of the image (Y-Min).
        • Eastern Border: Enter the X (Easting) coordinate represented along the eastern edge of the image (X-Max).
        • Northern Border: Enter the Y (Northing) coordinate represented along the northern edge of the image (Y-Max).

        
         

    • Normalize: If unchecked, the Z-values stored in the output model will represent the colors in the input bitmap file, which can range into the millions. If checked, the input bitmap's colors will be normalized between user-specified minimum and maximum values.
       
  • Digital Elevation Model (DEM): RockWorks can import Canadian Government, USGS 30-Meter, or USGS 3 Arc Second DEM formats.  This tool does not import DEM files in SDTS format.
    • Resolution/Source: Choose Canadian Government, USGS 30-Meter, or USGS 3 Arc Second. 
    • Elevations Units: Select whether the Z-values (elevations) from the imported DEM file should be saved in the output model as meters or as feet. 
    • Undefined Nodes: Select the method to be used to define any nodes missing in the input file.
      
  • GXF: This represents GXF (Grid eXchange Files) output from the Geosoft program. This program does not import "compressed" GXF grid models.
    
  • ESRI ASCIIGRID: This tool imports a grid model from an ESRI GIS (r) program that has been saved in an ASCII format.
    
  • RockWorks7: These grid models are binary files that were created by the last DOS version of RockWorks.
    
  • Surfer: RockWorks can import Surfer 7, GS Binary or GS ASCII grid models.
     
• Default Z: Enter a Z-value that will be saved for nodes in the output grid whenever a null or blank node is encountered within the grid that is being imported.  If you want to set these nodes to the RockWorks null value, type in:   -1e27
  
  
• Create 2-Dimensional Grid Diagram: Insert a check in this check-box if you want to display the output grid as a 2D map at this time.  Expand this heading to set up the 2D map layers (bitmap, symbols, labels, line contours, color-filled contours, labeled cells, and/or map border).
• Create 3-Dimensional Grid Diagram: Insert a check in this check-box if you want to display the output grid as a 3D surface.  Expand this heading to set up the 3D map layers (flat surface, Boolean colors, perimeter, reference cage).  You can request both a 2D and 3D representation of the grid model.
• Create Grid Statistics Report: Insert a check here if you want to see a report summarizing the output grid. 
  • Include Standard Deviation:  Check this box if you want the report to include standard deviation.
  • Include Directional Analysis:  Check this box to include slope, aspect, and strike computations. Be warned that these can take a few moments for large grid models.
    
    

Step-by-Step Summary

This program requires that a non-RockWorks-format grid model exists, ready for import.

1. Access the RockWorks Utilities program tab.
2. Select the Grid | Import menu option.
3. Enter the requested menu settings, described above.
4. Click the Process button to proceed.

The program will read the input grid file and translate it into a RockWorks grid file format.  The requested diagram(s) will be displayed in a RockPlot2D tab and/or RockPlot3D tab in the Options window.   If you requested a statistics report, it will be displayed in a Text Tab in the Options window.

5. You can adjust any of the settings in the Options window and then click the Process button again to regenerate the diagram(s).
   ! Each time you click the Process button, the existing display(s) will be replaced.
    
6. View / save / manipulate / export / print the diagram in the RockPlot2D or RockPlot3D window. 
    

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