Block Model 3D Viewer
This command allows you to view a block model in
the 3D viewer window directly from the .blk file. When the command
is executed, you will be prompted to select a .blk file and a grade
parameter file (.gpf file - controls coloring of the blocks). After
selecting these files, the below dialog will appear.
Spreadsheet: In the spreadsheet you can customize the
properties of the grades including the layer name, color and
whether to view.
Use Top/Bottom Surface Limit Grid: These toggles allow you
select constraining elevation grids. Any blocks with a centroid
above/below these elevation grids will not be drawn in the 3D
Viewer.
Use Inclusion Perimeter Polyline: When enabled, you will be
prompted to select an inclusion polyline. Any blocks with a
centroid outside this polyline will not be drawn in the 3D
Viewer.
Use Solid for Inclusion: When enabled, you will be prompted
to select a solid (.mdl file). Only blocks with centroids inside of
this solid will be drawn.
Display Only Outer Shell: This option renders only the
blocks that border a different grade or border the sides of the
model. Otherwise, all the blocks are rendered.
Tag Blocks for Inspector: This option stores data of the
block dimensions and grade in each block. Then in the 3D Viewer,
you can pick the pointer mode and the viewer reports these values
as you move the cursor over a block. Turning this option off speeds
up loading.
Merge Blocks With Matching Grades: This option combines
vertically neighboring blocks with the same grade which speeds up
processing and viewing a bit.
After selecting these settings and clicking OK, the 3D Viewer
window will be displayed as shown below. All controls for this
dialog are discussed in the 3D
Viewer Window section of the help manual.
You may view additional block models at the same time by picking
the Model tab, right-click on Block Models and pick Add Block
Model. Also from the Model tab, you may add surface models or CAD
entities to the scene.
You may change the coloring of the blocks by right-clicking "Block
Model" on the Model tab. The below dialog will be displayed.
Select Another File: This option will prompt you to select a
new Grade Parameter File to recolor the block model.
Color by Attribute: This option will allow you to recolor
the blocks by defining the attribute values and colors on-the-fly.
This is a simplified version of a Grade Parameter File, with the
restriction that coloring can only be based on a single attribute.
Clicking this option will display the below dialog, which will
prompt you to select the attribute of interest.
The next dialog that appears is shown below. Here you can define
the range of values and the color for that range.
The Auto button can be used to quickly create the ranges
using a constant interval. This dialog is shown below.
Starting Zone: This value sets the first row to modify. If
several rows have already been defined and do not need to be
modified, set this value to the next undefined row.
Set Values: This option will modify the values of the rows.
If the values have already been set and do not need to be changed,
this option should be disabled. When enabled, the Starting Row
value will be set to the Starting Value. Each row after will
increment by the Value Increment.
Set Colors: This option will modify the colors of the rows.
If the colors have already been set and do not need to be changed,
this option should be disabled. When enabled, the Starting Row
color will be set to the Starting Color #. Each row after
will increment by the Color Increment. The color values may
be viewed by clicking the ellipse button to the right of the
Starting Color.
It is worth noting that you can load more than one block model into
the 3D Viewer. After loading the first block model, you can
right-click on the Block Model branch to load a second model.
Grade View Controls: On the Model tab, you can list the
block and all the grades. From this list, you can turn grades
on/off for viewing by double-clicking on the grade name, or by
right-clicking and choosing Thaw Layer or Freeze Layer. Also with
right-click, you can set the grade as transparent.
Pulldown Menu Location:
Block Model
Keyboard Command:
cube_blkm
Prerequisite: A BLK model
file and a GPF grade parameter file.
