Creating Solid Models from XYZG Data

RockWorks | Utilities | Solid | Model

This program is used to:

• Create a solid model (an .RwMod file) of XYZG data in the Utilities datasheet or in an external text file - OR - read an existing .RwMod model you've already created, and
• Create a 3-dimensional isosurface diagram or all-voxel diagram representing the solid model.

You can use this tool to create a new model and a new 3D diagram.  You can use this tool to create a new solid model only (no diagram). You can also use this tool to create a new 3D diagram from already-existing solid models.

RockWorks offers several different methods to interpolate the solid model and many different display settings. The values to be modeled - "G values" - can represent geochemical concentrations, geophysical measurements, geotechnical parameters, etc. 

See also: the Borehole Manager's Lithology | Model, I-Data | Model, T-Data | Model, P-Data | Model, Fracture | Model, Color | Model, and Vector | Model tools for creating solid models for downhole lithology, interval-sampled, time-interval-sampled, point-sampled, fracture, color, and vector data entered for boreholes.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
 

Menu Options

• Input Columns: If the XYZG data is entered into the Utilities datasheet, and if you are creating a new solid model at this time, you'll need to select the source of the input data in the left pane of the window.
  • X (Easting), Y (Northing), Z (Elevation): Choose the datasheet columns where these input data are stored.  These define the 3D location of the sample points.
  • G (Grade): Choose the column in the datasheet that contains the value to be modeled.  These can be any real number values.
     
• Solid Model: Expand this heading to request a new solid model or specify an existing model.
  • Create New Model: Click in this button to have the program create a new solid model (.RwMod file) of the source XYZG data. Expand this to establish modeling settings.
    
    
    • Solid Model Name: Click to the right to enter a name for the solid model file (.RwMod) to be created.
      
      
    • Data Source: Expand this to choose whether the input data is displayed in the current RockWorks datasheet or in an external file.
      • Datasheet, if the XYZG data are listed in the current datasheet.  The program will extract the well locations (X and Y), elevations (Z), and the quantitative values to be modeled (G) from separate columns in the main data sheet. Be sure that the X, Y, Z, and G columns are correctly specified on the left side of this window.  Use the Borehole Manager rather than the general data sheet if you have well-based downhole geochemistry or geophysical data to be modeled. 
      • ASCII File, if the XYZG data are listed in an external text file.  Expand this to specify 
        • File Name: Click to browse for the ASCII file that lists the input data.
        • Data Columns: Expand to specify the columns in the text file that contain the X, Y, Z, and G coordinates.
        • Delimiter: This tells the program whether the ASCII file columns are separated by space characters (ASCII character 32) or tabs (ASCII character 9).
          
          
    • Filtering Options: Use these settings to filter the data that will be processed.
      ! Note that these tools filter the data that is passed to the modeling procedures.  This is distinct from the filters that are applied after the model is completed (see Other Modeling Options below)
      • Filter Based on G-Values: Activate this option to establish a data filter based on the measured values
      • Decimation Interval: This option provides a means for "thinning" the data by extracting only those points at a user-specified interval. For example, a setting of 1 will extract every point within the source data, while a setting of 10 will sample every 10th point (starting with the first point).  This is a very useful feature when working with very large data sets that would otherwise bog down the solid modeling process. 
        ! Note: If the "Filter Points" option has been activated, the actual filtering will take place upon the decimated points.
      • Spatial (XYZ) Filtering: Insert a check in this box - on the far right side of the current program window - to activate a data filter based on where the data points lie. Expand this heading to establish the filter settings. 
      • Create Filter / Sampling Report: If you've selected any filter/resampling options, this tool will create a summary report of the results. (More.)
        
        
    • Solid Modeling Options: Click the Options button to establish important modeling settings:
      • Algorithm (Modeling Method): This determines the modeling method to use, for creating a solid model from your irregularly-spaced XYZG data. (More.)
      • Model Dimensions: This determines the model density. (More.)  Unless there's a specific reason to do otherwise, you should probably leave the solid model dimensions set to the current project dimensions.
      • Other Modeling Options: These include tilting, warping, filtering above-ground, smoothing, and much more. 
         
  • Use Existing Model: Click in this button if you already have a solid model file (MOD) for which a diagram is to be created.
    • Model Name: Click here to browse for the existing solid model to be used to create the 3D diagram.
       
• Create 3-Dimensional Diagram: Insert a check here to display the new or existing solid model as a 3D diagram.  Expand this heading to establish the diagram options.
  • Diagram Type: Choose from one of the following. (More.)
    • All Voxels: Click in the All Voxels radio button to represent the solid model in the 3D display as color-coded voxels.  This is a good option for lithology models and solid stratigraphy models. 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.
    • 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 and is good for real-number geochemistry, geophysical, geotechnical (etc.) models.
  • Iso-Mesh: Use this option to plot a series of polylines that represent three-dimensional contours at a user-defined cutoff. Expand the heading to establish the settings.  (More.)
  • Reference Cage: Insert a check here to include vertical elevation axes and X and Y coordinate axes in the 3D diagram. Expand this item to set up the cage items.  (More.)
  • Include Legend: Insert a check here to include an index to the colors and G values in the diagram.  (More.)
  • Control Points: Insert a check in this box if you wish to display the 3D control points in the diagram.  Expand this item to set up the 3D point settings; these are the same options available in the Map / 3D Points option.  (More.)
    ! Note: This option only applies to the data that is loaded into the current Utilities Datasheet. If the data is being loaded from an ASCII file, thereby bypassing the datasheet, the Control Points setting will have no effect (i.e. no control points will appear within the final diagram).

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Utilities program tab. 
2. Enter/import your X, Y, Z (elevations) and G data into the main RockWorks data sheet.  Or, be sure an external text file exists, containing 4 columns of data (X, Y, Z, and G) to model.
3. Click on the Solid menu and choose the Model option. 
4. Enter the requested menu settings, described above.
5. Click the Process button to proceed.

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, the program will scan the input data. 

6. If you have requested model confirmation, the program will display a window at this time.  Adjust these dimensions as necessary and click OK to continue.  (More.) 

The program will use the selected algorithm to create a solid model of the XYZG data. The completed model will be stored on disk under the indicated file name. 

If you requested a diagram, the model will be displayed in a RockPlot3D tab in the Options window, using the requested display type.  

7. You can adjust any of the following items and then click the Process button again to regenerate the display.
   • Solid modeling settings in the Options pane on the left*, and/or
   • Diagram settings in the Options pane on the left.

   ! Each time you click the Process button, the existing 3D display will be replaced. 
   ! * If the solid 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.

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

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