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Surpac Introduction Tutorial
Surpac Introduction Tutorial
Copyright 2007 Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd (A Gemcom Company). All rights reserved. This software and documentation is proprietary to Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd. Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd publishes this documentation for the sole use of Surpac licenses. Without written permission you may not sell, reproduce, store in a retrieval system, or transmit any part of the documentation. For such permission, or to obtain extra copies please contact your local Surpac Minex Group Office. Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd Level 8 190 St Georges Terrace Perth, Western Australia 6000 Telephone: (08) 94201383 Fax: (08) 94201350 While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damage resulting from the use of the information contained herein. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. About This Manual This manual has been designed to provide a practical guide to the many uses of the software. The applications contained within this manual are by no means exhaustive as the possible uses of the software are only limited by the users imagination. However, it will give new users a starting point and existing users a good overview by demonstrating how to use many of the functions in Surpac. If you have any difficulties or questions while working through this manual feel free to contact your local Surpac Minex Group Office. Contributors Rowdy Bristol Phil Jackson James Willoughby Surpac Minex Group Perth, Western Australia Product Surpac 6
Table of Contents
About This Document ............................................................................................................. 1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 1 Requirements......................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 1 Document Conventions.......................................................................................................... 2 Getting Started......................................................................................................................... 5 Installing Surpac from a CD ................................................................................................... 5 Starting Surpac ...................................................................................................................... 6 Licencing Surpac.................................................................................................................... 7 Setting the Work Directory ..................................................................................................... 8 Exiting Surpac ........................................................................................................................ 9 Modifying the Surpac Desktop Icon ....................................................................................... 9 Surpac Concepts ................................................................................................................... 11 Surpac Data Types .............................................................................................................. 11 Function-centric vs Data-centric Operations........................................................................ 12 The Surpac Interface ............................................................................................................. 14 Menus .................................................................................................................................. 15 Toolbars ............................................................................................................................... 16 Navigator.............................................................................................................................. 16 Preview Pane ....................................................................................................................... 17 Legend Pane........................................................................................................................ 18 Graphics............................................................................................................................... 18 Properties Pane ................................................................................................................... 19 Layers Pane ......................................................................................................................... 19 Status Bar ............................................................................................................................ 19 Message Window................................................................................................................. 20 Getting Help ........................................................................................................................... 21 Field Help and Form Help .................................................................................................... 21 Online Help .......................................................................................................................... 23 Tutorials ............................................................................................................................... 27 Support................................................................................................................................. 28 Strings .................................................................................................................................... 32 String Data Hierarchy........................................................................................................... 32 Types of Strings ................................................................................................................... 33 Description Fields................................................................................................................. 33 Data Numbering ................................................................................................................... 33 Data Ranges ........................................................................................................................ 33 String File Names................................................................................................................. 34 String Directions................................................................................................................... 35 Viewing String Data.............................................................................................................. 35 String File Structure ............................................................................................................. 37 Viewing and Saving Data ...................................................................................................... 40 Multiple Viewports ................................................................................................................ 40 Attributes and Styles Files ................................................................................................... 44 Saving Data.......................................................................................................................... 54 Editing Data............................................................................................................................ 56 Orbit Mode ........................................................................................................................... 56
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Selection Modes................................................................................................................... 56 The Move Tool ..................................................................................................................... 69 Creating Data ......................................................................................................................... 75 Create a Simple Pit Design.................................................................................................. 75 Managing Data in Layers ...................................................................................................... 86 Layers and the Surpac Work Area....................................................................................... 86 Creating Layers.................................................................................................................... 86 Appending Data to a Layer .................................................................................................. 92 Replacing Data in a Layer.................................................................................................... 97 Saving Workspace Settings ............................................................................................... 101 Triangulated Surfaces ......................................................................................................... 105 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 105 Naming Conventions.......................................................................................................... 105 DTM Conventions .............................................................................................................. 105 Viewing a DTM Surface ..................................................................................................... 106 Creating a DTM Surface .................................................................................................... 106 Creating a Boundary String Between Two DTM Surfaces................................................. 110 File-based Method ............................................................................................................. 110 Graphics-based Method..................................................................................................... 112 Calculating a Cut and Fill Volume Using DTM Surfaces ................................................... 113 Viewing a Solid Model........................................................................................................ 114 Creating and Validating a Solid Model............................................................................... 115 Calculating a Volume Using a Solid Model ........................................................................ 122 File Tools .............................................................................................................................. 124 String Maths ....................................................................................................................... 124 Applying a Boundary String ............................................................................................... 130 Classifying Strings.............................................................................................................. 132 2D Transformations............................................................................................................ 134 Polygon Intersection........................................................................................................... 137 Advanced Interface Operations ......................................................................................... 142 Menu Bars, Menus and Commands .................................................................................. 142 Displaying and Customising Menu Bars ............................................................................ 143 Customising Toolbars and Buttons .................................................................................... 146 Using and Creating Profiles ............................................................................................... 149 Using the Function Chooser .............................................................................................. 151 Working with Forms ........................................................................................................... 152 Configuring windows and panes in the Interface ............................................................... 153 More Surpac Functions....................................................................................................... 156 Drillhole Database.............................................................................................................. 156 Block Models...................................................................................................................... 161 Plotting with Autoplot.......................................................................................................... 168
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Requirements
Before proceeding with this tutorial, ensure you have the following items: 1. A copy of Surpac 6 for installation. This is usually installed from a CD, but you can download the software from the http://www.surpac.com Web site. 2. A suitable computer with a CD ROM drive. Minimum Windows RAM Processor Graphics card XP Professional 512 Mbytes P4 >1.75 gigahertz (GHz) A graphics adapter with 256 MB memory, from a major manufacturer such as NVIDIA or ATI. Recommended XP Professional 1-4 Gbytes P4 Duo >2.5 GHz An NVIDIA or ATI graphics card, separate from the motherboard, with 512 MB memory.
Objectives
By working through this tutorial, you should be able to: Install and licence Surpac. Understand Surpac data types and concepts. Understand the basic components of the user interface. Get assistance from the various sources of Surpac help. View and save various types of Surpac data. Understand Surpac selection modes and use them to edit data in Surpac. Create data by digitising. Understand the use of layers in Surpac. Understand the concepts of DTM surfaces and solids. Use file tools to work with strings. Customise the interface and work with forms. Display drillhole databases and block models. Plot simple files using Autoplot.
Document Conventions
Typographical Conventions Some text in this manual has special formatting to identify it as a particular element of information. The following list describes the different formats and their meanings: Text Format <Bold Italic> Meaning Text or data that varies with each input is shown in italic font and enclosed in angle brackets. Some examples are installation directories, dates, names and passwords. When you substitute the text for the variable, do not include the brackets. For example: <password> requires you to substitute a password in place of <password>. A word or phrase to which the author wants to give emphasis. For example: you must select an item from the list to continue. This typeface indicates one of the following: A file name, path or URL. Strongly emphasized text. For example, It is very important to save the data []. Text that a procedure has instructed you to type. A menu option, tab, button, check box, list, option button, text box or icon. For example: Drag and drop the file pit1.str into graphics.
Italics Bold
Keyboard Conventions Key Combination <key>+<key> Meaning Press and hold down the first key, then press the second key. For example: CTRL+Z means hold the CTRL key down, then press Z.
Menu Conventions In this documentation, the following example demonstrates the syntax used for menus and submenus: From the File menu, select Open, and then Block model. This means click the File menu, move the cursor over the Open command and then select Block model on the submenu.
Mouse Conventions Action Click Right-click Double-click Drag and drop <an object> Drag Right drag Rotate Description Quickly press and release the left mouse button without moving the mouse. Press and release the right mouse button without moving the mouse. Without moving the mouse, click the left button twice rapidly. With the cursor over the object, press and hold down the left mouse button to select the object. Move the mouse until the cursor is in the position you want and then release the mouse button. Press and hold down the left mouse button. Then move the mouse in the direction that the text specifies. Press and hold down the right mouse button. Then move the mouse in the direction that the text specifies. Use your finger to make the wheel button roll. Move it forward, that is in a clockwise direction, or backward, that is in an anticlockwise direction.
Forms Forms contain several components that you will use to provide information to Surpac: 1. Title 2. Tab 3. Text box 4. Combo box or Drop-down list 5. Radio button or Option button 6. Label 7. Help 8. Check box 9. Button
Elements of Forms As shown on the previous page, forms can contain the following elements: Element 1. Title Description Title of the dialog box. Example
2. Tab
Labelled group of options used for many similar kinds of settings. Rectangular box in which you can type text. If the box already contains text, you can select that text and edit it. Closed version of a list box with an arrow next to it. Clicking the arrow opens the list. Round button you can use to select one of a group of mutually exclusive options. Text attached to any option, box, button, or to any other element of a window or dialog box. Context sensitive help button.
3. Text box
7. Help
8. Check box
Square box that you select or clear to turn an option on or off. Rectangular or square button that initiates an action. Buttons have text labels to indicate their purpose.
9. Button
Getting Started
Overview In this chapter you will learn about: Installing Surpac from a CD. Starting Surpac. Licencing Surpac. Setting the work directory. Exiting Surpac. Modifying the Surpac desktop icon.
Note: If the installation menu does not appear, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the CD and double-click Autorun.exe. You will see the following page:
2.
Click Install. You are prompted to choose which software product to install.
3.
Click Surpac. The windows installer starts up. During the install process, you will see information about how to proceed. When you are prompted to click Next, do so. When you are prompted to accept the licence agreement, click Accept, and then click Next. Note: You must accept the terms of the license agreement or the installation will not continue. When prompted to choose an installation directory, select the default installation directory. Note: Although you can use the Change option to select another destination folder for the program, it is recommended that you use the default location. Do not install the software in any folder within C:\Program Files or in any folder whose name contains spaces. If you do, Surpac might not perform in the way you expect and need.
4. 5.
6.
Caution:
7. 8.
When prompted to enter a product, ensure that Surpac is selected, and click Next. Click Install, and then click Finish when the Finish button becomes available.
Starting Surpac
Task: Start Surpac Start Surpac, using either of these methods: Double-click the Surpac icon on your desktop.
Click Start, select All Programs, and then Surpac Minex Group, and then the command for Surpac 6.
Licencing Surpac
The instructions below are for installing a single user licence. In order to proceed, you will need: Surpac 6 installed, as previously described. A USB or parallel sentinel. A valid token number.
If you do not have all of these, please contact your local support office. Task: Licence Surpac 1. 2. Insert the sentinel into a USB or parallel port as appropriate. Start Surpac. If the Surpac interface is displayed, you already have a valid licence. Proceed to step 6. If you see the form below, a valid licence does not exist. Select local, and then click Apply.
3.
4.
In the Token field, enter the token number, and click Validate.
5.
Click Apply. Note: Refer to the Installation Manual for troubleshooting and for details about network licences.
6.
To review licence details, or enter a new token number: a. b. From the File menu, select Licencing, and then Change/Inspect licence. After reviewing or updating the licence, click Apply.
Task: Set the Work Directory 1. 2. In the Surpac Navigator, right-click the introduction folder. Select Set as work directory.
The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar of the Surpac window.
Exiting Surpac
Task: Exit Surpac Exit Surpac, using either of these two methods: From the File menu, select Exit. Click the button at the top right corner of the Surpac window.
Task: Modify the Surpac Icon so that the Work Directory is Set Automatically 1. 2. Move the cursor over the Surpac icon on your desktop.
3.
From the popup menu, select Copy Here. A copy of the original icon is created:
4. 5.
Right-click the new Surpac icon, and select Properties. In the Start in field on the Shortcut tab, enter <install_directory>\demo_data\tutorials\introduction where <install_directory> is the folder where Surpac is installed.
6. 7.
Click OK. Right-click the icon you have just modified and select Rename. Alternatively, the F2 key can be used as a shortcut. Type: Surpac Introduction and press ENTER. The icon will appear with the new name:
8.
9.
Double-click this icon to start Surpac. Notice that the work directory is automatically set when Surpac starts up.
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Surpac Concepts
Overview In this chapter, you will learn about: Surpac data types. Function-centric vs data-centric operations.
surpac.ddb
ug_mine.sdb block.mdl
Plot files
pit_str.dwf
Macros
macro.tcl
Plugins
topo2.dxf
Styles file
styles.ssi
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Function-centric When you invoke a function first, and then specify the data you want to use, you are performing a function-centric operation. For example, when you click the icon to Open a file select the file to be opened. , Surpac displays a form. Then you
You can perform nearly all operations using the function-centric approach. For non-graphical operations, this is often the only option. For example, to calculate volumes between two DTM surfaces, you must use the functioncentric approach, such as by selecting Cut and Fill between DTMs from the Volumes menu.
Data-centric When you select data first, and then specify the function to be applied to the data, you are performing a data-centric operation.
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For example, when you right-click a file, a popup menu is displayed. You then choose the operation to be performed such as Open.
Many graphical operations are quicker and easier to perform using the data-centric approach. For example, you can select data in a string file, and then right-click to display functions that Surpac can perform on the data.
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Menus
The menus group functions from a particular module, such as the Block Model module. Task: Open a File Using the Menu 1. 2. From the File menu, select Open, and then String/DTM file. Fill in the form as shown in the following image, and click Apply.
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Toolbars
A toolbar is a collection of icons that have related functions. Toolbars allow you to access commonly used functions directly, without the need to search through the menus.
Task: Use the Reset Graphics Button from the Toolbar 1. 2. Open the file pit1.str in graphics. . Click the Reset graphics icon This function removes all the data that is displayed in graphics. If data has been modified, Surpac will display a form to allow you to save the file. This is described in detail in the chapter Viewing and Saving Data.
Navigator
The Navigator works like Windows Explorer. Using the Navigator, you can manage your files and directories by creating new folders, cutting, copying, pasting, and deleting files and folders.
Task: Open a File from the Navigator 1. 2. Right-click the file pit1.str in the Navigator. From the menu, select Open.
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Preview Pane
The Preview pane displays string data without the need to load it into graphics.
Task: Display a String File in the Preview Pane 1. If the Preview pane is not displayed, click the Preview button at the top of the Navigator. Click the file pit1.str in the Navigator. Click and drag in the Preview pane to rotate the data, as shown below:
2. 3.
4.
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Legend Pane
This is the area where you can see the legends for data in graphics.
Graphics
Known as the graphics area, or simply graphics, this is the area where you perform most of the work in Surpac. The graphics area is a three-dimensional work area. Any file loaded into graphics has Y, X, and Z coordinates.
Task: Display and View Data in Graphics 1. 2. Click the Reset graphics icon .
Drag and drop the file pit_design.str into graphics. The file is displayed in graphics:
3.
Perform the following steps: Use the left mouse button to rotate the image. Use the right mouse button to zoom in and out based on the centre of the image. Use the wheel button, or both mouse buttons, to pan the image. Use the wheel button to zoom in or out in relation to the current location of the cursor.
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Properties Pane
This is the area where you see: The properties of your file data when the Navigator is active. Information about graphics data when Surpac is in select mode and you have data selected.
Layers Pane
This is the area where you manage your data in layers. This is described in detail in the chapter Managing Data in Layers.
Status Bar
The Status bar shows the coordinate position of the mouse cursor as well as the string number and design gradient. The Status bar also shows whether a database or blockmodel is loaded into memory.
Task: View Changes to the Status Area 1. 2. Drag and drop surpac.ddb (a geological database) into graphics. Drag and drop block_model.mdl (a block model) into graphics. Notice that two buttons have been added to the status area, indicating that a database named surpac and a block model named block_model are loaded:
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3.
Move the mouse within the graphics area. Notice that the coordinates shown in the status area are updated as you move the mouse. In the Status bar, click the surpac button, and select Close. Click the block_model button, and select Close.
4. 5.
Message Window
The Message window shows the information, warnings, and error messages that Surpac produces while it is executing functions. Tip: Sometimes the message window also contains information such as coordinates of selected points. You can copy this information and paste it into text files or documents.
Task: Clear the Message Window 1. 2. Right-click in the Message window to display a menu. Select Clear in the menu.
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Getting Help
Overview There are a number of resources to assist you whether you are trying to solve a problem, to understand how a function works, or to enter data into a form. In this chapter, you will learn about: Field help and Form help. Online help. Tutorials. Support.
From the File menu, select Open, and then String/DTM file. Click the Location field, and then right-click to display a popup menu.
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4.
From the popup menu, select Field help. A window appears with help that is specific to the field selected.
5.
Press TAB several times. Notice that the help text changes as the cursor moves to different fields. This happens because the Enable auto help box is selected. Click the Enable auto help box so that it is cleared. Press TAB several times. Notice that the help text does not change. Click the Enable auto help box so that it is selected. Click the X button in the top right corner of the help window to close it. Click and then right-click in a field to display the following menu.
6. 7.
8. 9. 10.
11.
From the menu, select Form Help. Form help provides information about the function Open file.
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Online Help
Online help contains more detailed information than form help and field help, as well as examples and troubleshooting assistance.
Task: Access Online Help from a Form 1. 2. From the Display menu, select 2D Grid. Click the button at the lower left corner of the form.
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3.
Task: Access Help from the Help Menu. 1. In Surpac, from the Help menu, select Table of contents.
2.
In the table of contents, expand SSILM, and then Surpac Software Licence Manager (SSILM). Select Overview.
3.
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Task: Use the Index to Search for Information. The Index is another good way to locate help. 1. 2. 3. In Surpac, from the Help menu, select Table of contents. In the lower left corner, click the Index tab. In the text box at the top, slowly type each letter of the word autoplot. After you type each letter, the help system selects the index entry that is the closest match. Press ENTER.
4.
Task: Search the Online help. 1. 2. 3. In Surpac, from the Help menu, select Table of contents. In the lower left corner, click the Search tab. Type the words clip DTM, and click Search. This search returns all the help topics that contain both the words clip and DTM. The topics that contain the most occurrences of these words are ranked higher in the list. Click the topic that is ranked 1 at the top of the list, DTM Maths.
4.
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This topic contains a large number of occurrences of DTM and only one occurrence of clip. It does not contain the phrase clip DTM anywhere in the help topic.
You can also do a phrase search by enclosing your search in quotes. 5. Type clip DTM in the Search box, and then click Search. The search will find only the exact phrase clip DTM. 6. 7. Click the top row, DTM Clip. Scroll down in the help topic so that you can see the text clip DTM highlighted.
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Tutorials
Tutorials are designed to teach you how specific functions work within a practical, task-based environment, by working through exercises using a specific dataset. Surpac tutorials are available via the tutorials profile. When you install the software from the CD, the tutorials are installed into directories under: <installation directory>\demo_data\tutorials where <installation directory> is the folder where Surpac is installed. Each directory contains a tutorial in PDF format, as well as a data directory that contains the files required to perform the exercises outlined in the tutorial. Task: Access the Tutorials profile. 1. 2. Right-click in the blank area on the right of the main menus. From the popup menu, select Profiles, and then tutorials as shown below:
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You will see a set of menus for the tutorials as shown in the image below:
To view the tutorials or run the macros for the tutorial, you must first click on the menu item to change the directory to your chosen tutorial. You can then either view the tutorial document as a PDF or run the macros that appear in the tutorial. Internet download You can also download individual tutorials from http://www.surpac.com. From the main page, select Support, then Tutorials.
Tip: The tutorials offered on this page may be more recent than those from the CD installation.
Support
The final type of help is where you contact your local Support office, either by email or by phone.
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Task: Log a help request. 1. From the Help menu, select Log a request.
2.
3.
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4.
5. 6. 7.
Click Computer Info Click Capture Config to automatically get the details of your PC. Enter as much detail as possible, and then click OK.
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8. 9.
If you have data to demonstrate your problem, click Attach File Navigate to the data file that you want to attach, and then click Open.
Click Save. Give your output file a meaningful name. Navigate to the folder where you wish to store the file, and then click Save.
13.
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Strings
Overview The most common file format used for storing information in Surpac is a string file. A string file contains coordinate information for one or more points, as well as optional descriptive information for each point. It is important to understand how Surpac organises and uses data stored within a string file; this will enable you to work more efficiently with strings.
All points in a string file are grouped into segments, which are further grouped into strings. The example below shows conceptually how a string file contains strings, which contain segments, which contain points.
String File
String 1
String 2
String 99
Segment 2 Point 17
Segment 2 Point 5
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Types of Strings
There are three types of strings: Open. Closed. Spot Height.
The table below explains these terms. Surpac Term Open string Closed string Spot height string Common Term Line Polygon Points not associated with a line or polygon Example Drill hole trace Property boundary Blast hole collar locations
Description Fields
Points, strings, and segments can have one or more pieces of descriptive information associated with them. This information is stored in a description field. Description fields are named according to the order they appear. Description fields are named in the format D<incremental number>, such as D1, D2, D3. For example, a closed segment representing an ore zone could have the gold grade, silver grade, and specific gravity stored in separate description fields. If the information is stored in that order, they could be assigned as follows: D1: gold grade D2: silver grade D3: specific gravity
Data Numbering
Strings, segments, and points are identified by unique numbers. You can assign string numbers to represent particular features, such as string 1 for toes in a pit, string 2 for crests, and string 99 for spot heights. Surpac automatically assigns segment numbers and point numbers.
Data Ranges
You can use a range to refer to groups of data numbers, such as strings, segments, and points. The comma ( , ) is used for a range which includes a start, an end, and optionally an increment. You use the following format to specify such a range in Surpac: <start>,<end>,<increment> Note: When the increment is 1, you can use <start>,<end> without specifying the increment.
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The semicolon ( ; ) is used to identify unique values, or to separate multiple comma ranges. Here are some examples: Data values 12345678 1357 2000 2200 2400 16 269 234569 25 50 60 70 80 90 3 6 9 12 15 20 30 5 10 15 20 40 50 60 Range 1,8 1,7,2 2000,2400,200 1;6 2;6;9 2,6;9 25;50,90,10 3,15,3;20;30 5,20,5;40,60,10 Description from 1 to 8, at an increment of 1 (implied) from 1 to 7, at an increment of 2 from 2000 to 2400, at an increment of 200 1 and 6 2 and 6 and 9 from 2 to 6 at an increment of 1 (implied) and 9 25 and from 50 to 90 at an increment of 10 from 3 to 15, at an increment of 3 and 20 and 30 from 5 to 20, at an increment of 5 and from 40 to 60, at an increment of 10
Here are some examples of file names: File name pit.str bench105.str 2007design.str 2007design2.str grade_control135.str dhcomp2_50.str level-300.str Location pit bench 2007design 2007design grade_control dhcomp2_ level 2 135 50 -300 ID 105 Extension .str .str .str .str .str .str .str
Spaces in file names are not recommended. In some situations, Surpac will not work correctly when you are using a file that has a space in the file name. You can use ranges to refer to the ID of filenames. For example, you can refer to the files: geo130.str, geo140.str, geo150.str, geo160.str, geo170.str using the following syntax: Location: ID: geo 130,170,10
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String Directions
When you view closed strings in the XY plane, the points have an order that is either clockwise or anticlockwise. This direction is important when calculating areas and volumes. Clockwise strings represent an area of inclusion. Anticlockwise strings represent an area of exclusion.
Drag and drop the file bench105.str into graphics. From the Display menu, select Strings, then With string and segment numbers. Enter the following information, and then click Apply.
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The data in this file represents a horizontal view, also known as a plan view, of a pit design, the survey stations, and the geology for one level in a pit.
Data
Type
D1
D2
D3
Low grade ore Medium grade ore High grade ore Footwall trace Hangingwall trace Pit design toe Survey stations
Gold (g/t) Gold (g/t) Gold (g/t) footwall hangingwall Station name
SG SG SG
From the Display menu, select Point, then Numbers. Enter a value of 1 for the String range, and then click Apply.
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Notice that the order of points for string 1 is clockwise in the XY plane.
7.