RockWorks Shapefile Exports Options and Comparisons

Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Borehole data .................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Grid-based (Stratigraphy and Aquifer) Models and Diagrams ......................................................................................................... 3 Lithology models and diagrams ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Models and diagrams created using downhole numerical data (I-Data, T-Data, P-Data) ................................................................. 5

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Examples of Borehole Data (Lithology and P-Data) in RockPlot3D and ArcScene ......................................................... 2 Figure 2: Examples of 3D T-Data Logs and their Exported Shapefiles ............................................................................................ 3 Figure 3: Stratigraphy Models in RockPlot3D and ArcScene (Triangle Based) ............................................................................... 3 Figure 4: Stratigraphy Fence Diagrams in RockPlot3D and ArcScene ............................................................................................. 4 Figure 5: Lithology Model in RockPlot3D and as a Point Shapefile in ArcScene ............................................................................ 5 Figure 6: Numerical Model Isosurfaces in RockPlot3D and as a Point Shapefile in ArcScene ........................................................ 6

Introduction
This paper describes some of the shapefile exports available from Rockworks15, with graphic examples, and pros/cons of each method.

Borehole data
Exporting from the Database Data can be exported from the Borehole Manager database to point or interval-based shapefiles using the Striplogs Export 3D Shapefiles menu option. 1. The Shapefile will include points or line segments with attributes pulled from the RockWorks MDB database 2. Pros: Data in database is preserved in attributes table 3. Cons : a. The geometry of deviated boreholes is not accurately represented (curved segments in a deviated borehole are represented as straight segments in the 3D shapefile). 1

b. It may not be possible to match the exact look and feel of boreholes displayed in the RockWorks RockPlot3D viewer (but a knowledgeable ArcScene user should be able to get close). RockPlot3D Lithologic Borehole Data ArcScene

Geophysical Borehole Data (PData)

Figure 1: Examples of Borehole Data (Lithology and P-Data) in RockPlot3D and ArcScene

Exporting from the RockPlot3D Display Window Boreholes displayed in RockPlot3D can be exported through the File Export menu. 1. Most shapes used to represent boreholes in RockPlot3D are composed of triangles. The exported shapefiles are composed of these triangles. Attribute table contains a "value" column that includes windows numbers values used for display in RockPlot3D. 2. Pros: The look and feel of boreholes in RockPlot3D is preserved in the shapefile. 3. Cons True data is not preserved in the attributes table of the shapefile. The only values output to shapefile have to do with colors used for display in RockPlot3D. Unless you are using a very limited number of colors to represent data in RockPlot3D, this Shapefile export option is NOT recommended.

RockPlot3D Analytical Borehole Data (TData)

ArcScene

Figure 2: Examples of 3D T-Data Logs and their Exported Shapefiles

Grid-based (Stratigraphy and Aquifer) Models and Diagrams

Models 1. Stratigraphy models displayed in RockPlot3D can be exported through the File Export menu. Shapefile includes triangles with a stratigraphic surface specified in the attributes table. 2. Individual stratigraphic grids can be exported as ArcASCII grids that can be converted to raster files using ArcToolbox. This option is available through the Grid Export menu in the RockWorks Utilities. 3. Grid files can also be exported as point shapefiles through the Grid Export menu in the RockWorks Utilities.

RockPlot3D

ArcScene

Stratigraphy Model

Figure 3: Stratigraphy Models in RockPlot3D and ArcScene (Triangle Based)

Fence Diagrams Stratigraphic fence diagrams are best exported through the Stratigraphy / Fence (ESRI Format) menu option in the RockWorks Borehole Manager. RockPlot3D ArcScene

Stratigraphy Fence

Figure 4: Stratigraphy Fence Diagrams in RockPlot3D and ArcScene

Lithology models and diagrams

Models 1. Lithology models displayed in RockPlot3D can be exported through the File Export menu. Those blocks displayed on the screen are exported as a series of triangles with Lithology Type gvalues stored in the attributes table. Because each model block is displayed using 16 triangles, display of these Shapefiles can be extremely cumbersome. Unless there is a specific reason to use this export option, the method described below is recommended. 2. All of the values in the solid model (MOD file) can be exported as a point shapefile through the Solid Export menu. Lithology Type g-values are included in the attributes table. 3D cubes can be used to get a display similar to that of a lithology model in RockPlot3D.

RockPlot3D

ArcScene, Point Shapefile

Lithology Model

Figure 5: Lithology Model in RockPlot3D and as a Point Shapefile in ArcScene

Fence Diagrams Fence diagrams can be exported from RockPlot3D as a series of triangles. Lithology Type g-values are include in the attributes table.

Models and Diagrams Created using Downhole Numeric Data (I-Data, TData, P-Data)
Models 1. Numerical block models displayed in RockPlot3D can be exported through the File Export menu. The format of the shapefile varies depending on how the model is displayed in RockPlot3D. a. Models displayed using the voxels option is exported in a similar manner as the Lithology model described above. Each block is represented by a series of triangles. The value assigned to each block is assigned to each corresponding triangle in the attributes table. As with the lithology model, this export options wouldnt normally be recommended. Instead, use option 2, described below. b. Models displayed as isosurfaces are exported based on the iso-level specified in the RockPlot3D viewer at the time of export. The isosurface is exported as a series of triangles that represent the iso-level skin isolating model blocks with values above the iso-level values specified by the user. 2. All of the values in the solid model (MOD file) can be exported as a point shapefile through the Solid Export menu. The modeled values are included in the attributes table. 3D cubes can be used to get a display similar to that of a model displayed using the voxels option in RockPlot3D.

RockPlot3D

ArcScene, Point Shapefile

Numerical Model Isosurfaces

Figure 6: Numerical Model Isosurfaces in RockPlot3D and as a Point Shapefile in ArcScene

Fence Diagrams Fence diagrams can be exported from RockPlot3D as a series of triangles. Modeled values are included in the attributes table.