MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

This workshop will highlight a few of the many useful MineSight® 3-D (MS3D) and
MineSight Compass™ (MSCompass) tips and tricks. We will look at shortcuts and handy
methods for obtaining results in MineSight.
The workshop is divided into General and Viewer, MSCompass multi-runs, Drillholes,
Polylines and Surfaces/Solids, and Others.
Most clients should be aware of the overall larger topics as the workshop only addresses
specific details of the topics.

MS3D General and Viewer

Popup menu—To help organize your menu, you can add as many delimiter lines as
needed to split your commands into groups using the Viewer | Popup menu definition.
The delimiter line is the first line on the Available Functions list (see figure 1a for setup
and 1b for result).

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Figure 1a. Adding delimiter lines.

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MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Figure 1b. Resulting menu.

Hot keys—The L key restarts the last command, the E key saves the edits and continues, the
U key unsets the open edit object, and the H key hides the selected data. Also, the regular
Microsoft® Windows Ctrl-A, C, V, and X hot keys are available. The Ctrl-A can be useful
for selecting all objects from a folder in the Data Manager and for selecting all selection set
elements from the viewer. For a list of all the hot keys, see the MS3D help file.
Show start point—When you don’t have a CAD function active, clicking and holding the
left mouse button gives a read out in the Status Bar (at the bottom of the MS3D desktop) of
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the current x, y, and z location; x, y, and z difference; 2D and 3D distance; and angle change.
The values displayed are controlled from the File | Project settings | Status bar. You can
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also drop a marker at the start point so it is easier to reference. This is done by File | Project Mining
settings | Properties | Show start point with distance. Software
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Selection properties—If you have multiple objects selected, leaving them all in the selection
Since
color makes it difficult to see which object is which. The Selection | Properties | no
highlighting will display them in their original object properties. Figure 2a shows selected
1970
data with highlighting and 2b is without highlighting.

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 MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Figure 2a. Selected data with highlighting.

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Figure 2b. Selected data without highlighting.

Multiple viewers—If you have multiple viewers and cascade or tile them, each viewer is a
limited size. If you need a larger viewing area for each but want to be able to toggle between

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MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

them, then you can cascade them and adjust each to fill almost the full area available (see
figure 3). To toggle between viewers, you just need to click on the required viewer.

Figure 3. Multiple viewers with maximum viewing area. To toggle, click on the banner or right side.

Element close object and properties—You can access individual object properties through
Element | Properties and also close individual objects through Element | Close Object by
clicking on an element of the required object. You can also close all data in the viewer in one
step by selecting Element | Close Object and drawing a box around all of the data. When
doing the “global” close, individual objects can be left open by shift-clicking on them before
clicking right.
Materials—Materials are very useful. You can edit a group of materials by selecting them
from the Materials folder, clicking right, and selecting Edit. This will bring up a table as
shown in figure 4. You can then change any of the properties and codes.

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Figure 4. Materials Editor from Edit.

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 MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

There are a number of standard materials that are setup when initializing a MS3D project.
The default material assigned to any new geometry object is Geometry, so setting up the
default display properties for geometry can save re-setting the object properties of a new
object, i.e., the label and node height, the faces in a light color, the lines in a darker color, etc.
If you are dealing with a number of model views, then setting the Model View Material
Properties is also useful. This includes label height, color, line thickness, and line labels.
There are some common manipulations of model views to fit certain applications in
MineSight. One such application is for MineSight Interactive Planner (MSIP). Often we want
to digitize cuts in 2D, while displaying the blocks as filled polygons. The problem is that
the only way to show a division between blocks is to set the size smaller than 100%. If we
snap to these polygons, the resulting cuts are smaller then the actual blocks. One solution is
to make two model views; one for the filled polygons and one for the outlines. The second
view mentioned here would display a dummy item that can be set to just one cutoff color.
Figure 5 shows the setup of the outline model view blocks and the result.

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Mining Figure 5. Setup for cutoffs and result.
Software
Important parameter/setup files—Key setup files that should be regularly backed up
Solutions include:
Since
1970 • Vgalusr8.vr—stores location and size of all dialogs for MS3D and MSCompass.
Usually this file is found in the directory defined by your HOME environment
variable.
• dialogs.ptf\Settings folder—most of the responses for the MS3D dialogs are
stored in _msresources\dialogs.ptf. The responses for the newer dialogs are
stored in XML format in the _msresources\Settings folder.

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MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

• Proj.prj (where proj is the MineSight project code)—stores all responses

including multi-runs for MSCompass for each project. Stored in the project folder,
this file can also be copied to make your own personal copy to preserve your
responses (e.g., comp-dag.prj).

MSCompass multi-runs
Multi-runs are not only very efficient, they are also very good for ensuring all steps of a task
are done and done in the correct order. The documentation of these is also very important.
The following two multi-run setups will be reviewed to illustrate some of Mintec’s
recommendations.
Figure 6. Shows a suggestion for naming key multi-runs by adding a numeric prefix so that
the multi-runs will be listed in the order they should be run.

Figure 6. List of multi-runs with numeric prefix for run order.

Build model—The “1– build model” multi-run (Figure 6) will be reviewed to show
documentation ideas as well as some MSCompass procedures and options of which you
might not be aware.

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Figure 7. “1- build model” multi-run.

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 MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Each step in the multi-run is given a name that includes the function type and sequence
number. This makes it easier to document as well as discuss with other users including
Mintec tech support. Each step should have a good description and all external ASCII files
should be mentioned. For project workbook documentation, you can just include a screen
capture of the multi-run and then describe the steps in further detail, referencing the type-
sequence name (i.e., MOD09).
The runcmd.dat procedure runs DOS-type commands. It can also be used as a “comment”
procedure to add documentation to the multi-run. The first step in this multi-run is purely
a documentation step without any commands being specified in runcmd.dat as shown in
figure 8.

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Mining Figure 8. Example of runcmd.dat as a documentation step without running any commands.
Software
A regular MSCompass multi-run starts at the first procedure and makes a single top-to-
Solutions
bottom pass through each procedure, optionally running individual procedures multiple
Since
times (shown in the Runs spinner in Figure 7).
1970
A loop mode procedure passes through the list of procedures multiple times, running each
procedure once in each pass. Notice when you toggle Repeat under Loop, that the Runs
spinner is disabled.

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The loop mode is generally used when the results from one procedure are needed in the
subsequent procedure. The variables are set up for a loop mode similarly to a regular multi-
run. The value for each variable in run 1 is substituted for all procedures in the first pass.
Then run 2, etc.
Note that on figure 9, the run 1 values are used for documenting the variables and the
starting value for the multi-run is 2, instead of 1. This is a useful documentation tool,
especially when there are a large number of variables involved in a multi-run.

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Figure 9. Variables for a typical multi-run. Solutions
Since
Drillholes
1970
Collar plot—You can get a cleaner looking collar plot with collar symbols by setting up
your drillhole view to display the FROM item with polyline nodes on the 0 cutoff only.
Select the node symbol, color, and size. You can also use Drillhole View Properties | Points
| Collar. The disadvantage of the Points option is that it will need to be re-run each time
new drilling is added. The advantage is a cleaner plot when angled holes are involved.
In this case, since the FROM option will put a node on both the start and end of the first

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interval, the nodes will be offset when viewing in plan. To add a gap between the drillhole
ID and the node symbol, just add a blank in the first delimiter field and use the Start of hole
and Horizontally options.

Figure 10. Setup for drillhole collar plot.

Collar check—You can check the surface drillhole collars against the topo surface utilizing
the drape and free format export tools. Save the drillhole collar points to geometry using a
Drillhole View | Points with the Attribute points with DH ID option toggled. Export the
new geometry object to a .csv file using Export | Survey (Free Form) (Figure 11a). Make
sure to use the Ignore break code option to avoid a blank line between drillholes.
Then select the geometry and drape the points to the topo dtm using the Project both
directions, Move elements, and Keep in source object options. Export the result to a
second .csv file and copy the new elevation (which is the draped elevation) to the first
.csv file. Do an Microsoft Excel difference on the two elevations to produce an .xls file
like the one shown in figure 11b.
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NOTE: To be 100% sure that the drillholes are both in the same order, sort both .csv files
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before merging. Also, if there has been mining, then an original ground surface should be
Mining used for original drillholes only. If possible, the drillholes should be checked against the
Software surface from which they were drilled.
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MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Figure 11a. Setup for dh export.

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Figure 11b. Part of Microsoft® Excel comparison.

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 MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Displaying Multiple Drillhole Views—Strips from more than two drillhole views can be
displayed by offsetting the views from each other. This is done by having a dummy item
that has the polylines turned off in all cases. This will allow the view to be shifted. As an
example (Figure 12), the composite strips are displayed on the left side, the assay strips on
the right closest to the drillhole trace, and the Geology to the right of that. The assays have
two 5m strips so the –AI- item of the assay view is set to a width of 5m (with item cutoff
polylines off) to create a gap.

Figure 12. Example of setup for viewing multiple drillhole views.

Polylines and Surfaces/Solids

Clipping solids against a surface—Multiple solids can be clipped against a surface (e.g.,
mined-out surface) in one step using Surface | Clip Surfaces and Solids. The recommended
method is to copy all the unclipped solids to a new folder, select them all, and do the clip as
show in Figure 13. Mintec always recommends the solids be clipped to the mined-out surface
each time the model is rebuilt to ensure accurate reserves reporting. Making a copy to a new
Mintec, Inc. folder preserves the original unclipped solids. Using this tool is much quicker than the solids
Global intersector when there are multiple solids that need to be clipped.
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Figure 13. Clip Surfaces and Solids dialog.

Area and Volume Scripts—Poly2drpt.pyc reports the information on polylines/

polygons including area of polygons. This is useful for reconciling a model build
involving polygons. Right after the model is coded and before any steps that would adjust
percentages, a volume run can be done and compared to the poyl2drpt.pyc reported
areas multiplied by the section/plan width.
Similarly, shellrpt.pyc can be used to check solids that are used for model coding. It
generates a .csv file of all solids volumes from a folder and optionally all its sub-folders.
It can also be used for reporting any series of solid volumes, not just model solids.
Large Gridded Object (LGO) Import options—The LGO has a number of different options
for importing data. This includes importing from another LGO, importing from an existing
DTM, importing 3D point data, and splitting a solid into the upper (hangingwall) and lower
(footwall) surfaces. All importing is done from the Import tab of the LGO Properties dialog.
Existing geometry triangulated meshes (DTMs) can be imported directly to the LGO. They
can either be used to create a new surface, replace an existing surface, or patch a piece into
an existing surface.
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Point data can be imported and assigned to the grid nodes using the closest point that falls Global
within the grid cell (for data denser than the grid spacing), or using a nearest neighbor or
Mining
octant limiting interpolation. Note: When importing with the Assign nearest grid point
option, if there are gaps in the point data that are larger than the LGO grid spacing, the
Software
resulting LGO surface will have gaps. This option is strictly for data that is more tightly Solutions
spaced than the LGO grid size. Since
1970
Solids can be gridded keeping the very top or very bottom points (not applicable for
overturned solids). The option is available through Import | From geometry as shown in
figure 14.

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Figure 14. Example of gridding the bottom (footwall) of a solid using an LGO view.

Others
Drop Markers—MS3D has a function to drop a marker using Utilities | Virtual Elements
| Drop markers. When dropping markers, all the regular snapping functions are available.
After a marker has been dropped, you can also snap other geometry elements to it. Markers
always show up in both 2D and 3D. Markers can be useful to help avoid clutter by dropping
a marker while an object is open and then closing it but still having a reference to where it
was (works well for key locations on surfaces). The default color for all Virtual Elements is
purple, this can be changed through Viewer | Preferences | Virtual Elements.
Grid set perpendicular to polyline—A grid set can be generated perpendicular to a
polyline at regular spacing, at the midpoint of each segment of the polyline, or at the
endpoint of each segment. This is useful for cutting sections through dykes, roads, etc.
There was previously one small problem using 3D polylines. The planes were generated
perpendicular to the line and therefore not vertically. This option has now been added in
version 4.5 of MS3D.
Importing point data—The recommended approach for importing a large data set of
points it to import the points as polylines splitting them at a change of easting, northing,
or elevation, or splitting them based on a number of points. The new object should then be
assigned Point material. The Point material has polyline line visibility turned off by default,
Mintec, Inc. and has a survey type of point for triangulation. All projects will now have a Point material
Global on start-up. If you do not already have such a material, one will be created for you. Importing
Mining the points as polylines will reduce overhead since MS3D keeps information for each element;
Software importing groups of points as polylines greatly reduces the number of elements.
Solutions Quick Viewer Movement—If you are viewing a large amount of data, the movement when
Since zooming, panning, and/or rotating can be slow and “chunky”. To alleviate this, you can use
1970 Viewer | Quick Viewer Movement. This option hides most of the data while you move it,
making for faster adjustments.
Disable Mouse Rotation—Certain mouse types sometimes accidentally cause a minor
unintended rotation. (e.g., working in a plan view and having a slight movement to a
skewed view). This can lead to placing/moving points to an incorrect location. The viewer

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can be locked to a certain view using Viewer properties | Disable Mouse Rotation to
alleviate this problem.
3DBM to Composites—Both Fence Diagrams and Non-Orthogonal (not vertical to the
3DBM) 2D views cannot display block model information. There is a work around that
consists of a number of steps to convert 3DBM data into composite data, thus allowing the
display in these types of 2D views.
Dump the 3DBM using MSCompass procedure p60301.dat. Make a new dummy
composite file (file9) using the same items that dumped from block model. Using MSDART,
reformat the text file for loading into a composite file using procedure p50001.dat.
Create a blasthole view using this composite file. The blasthole geometry will be in the
composite file itself, instead of a survey file (Figure 15a). This view can now be used to
display a “pseudo” block model in these 2D views. Figure 15b shows how to display the
stored x,y,z data in this composite file as blasthole-like, bench high sticks, which can then be
fitted with strips from the Drillhole View Editor to give them a width. Note that due to the
skewed angle of the fence diagram or non-orthogonal view, these widths will vary on the
screen, as seen below in Figure 15c.

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Figure 15a.

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 MineSight® 3-D: Tips and Tricks

Figure 15b.

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Figure 15c.

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