Computing Point to Point Distances

RockWorks | Utilities | Statistics | Point Distances

This program is used to read X,Y or X,Y,Z point locations from the datasheet and compute a variety of statistics regarding the distribution of the points.  This information can be helpful in determining optimal grid node spacing (average minimum X,Y point spacing), directionality of points (azimuth), etc.

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Input Columns: Click on these items to select the name of the column in the data sheet that contains the requested numeric values.
  • X (Easting): Select the column in the data sheet that contains the X or Easting coordinates for the points.
    Be sure you've defined your coordinate system and units; see Defining your Datasheet Coordinates for more information.
  • Y (Northing): Select the column that contains the Y or Northing coordinates for the points.
  • Z (Elevation): Select the column that contains the elevation coordinates for the points.  This column will be used only if you activate the Include Z Value (3D) checkbox, below.  If you don't have elevation values, the program can compute statistics for X,Y points only.
    ! Note: The input data may be in mixed units (e.g. X and Y can be in UTM meters while the Z can been in feet). It will be automatically converted to the specified Project Output Units.
• Include Z value (3D): Insert a check in the box if you have elevation data values which are defined as an input column (as described above) AND you wish to compute 3D distances and inclinations.  If you wish to compute X and Y distances only, you can leave this box unchecked.
• Spatial (XYZ) Filtering: Insert a check in this box, in the Rules & Filters settings to the right, to activate a data filter based on spatial coordinates. Expand this heading to establish the filter settings. 

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Utilities program tab. 
2. Enter/open/import your data to be analyzed into the datasheet. 
3. Select the Statistics | Point Distances menu option. 
4. In the displayed dialog box enter the requested information, discussed above. 
5. Click Process to continue.
6. The program will perform a variety of calculations on the data points in the enabled (checked) rows in the datasheet, and display the results in a text window which will include the following calculated statistics: 
   • Combinations: The number of X,Y or X,Y,Z pairs the program encountered.
   • 3D Distance: The minimum, maximum, average, and average minimum distance between the points in 3D.
   • Horizontal Distance: The minimum, maximum, average, and average minimum horizontal distance between the points, in 2D.
   • Vertical Distance: The minimum, maximum, average, and average minimum vertical distance between the points.
   • Azimuth: The minimum, maximum, and average azimuth bearing between the point pairs.
   • Inclination: The minimum, maximum, and average inclination in degrees from horizontal (positive = above horizontal, negative = below horizontal) between the point pairs.
7. Once the statistics have been calculated, you may close the window, or choose to copy, save, or print the information by selecting the appropriate Notepad (or other text editor) menu command.
   
   

Back to Statistics Menu Summary

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