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A summary of all key new features and enhancements for the latest release of Datamine Studio 3
This document is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute any sort of performance commitment on behalf of Datamine Corporate
Limited, nor does this document express or imply any warranties.
Contents
1
Product Introduction
Multi-user Studio!!!.............................................................4
Project Autorecover ............................................................4
New move-strings2d Command ............................................5
Auto-spin/Auto-roll in VR.....................................................5
Enhanced Plot Item Rotation ................................................5
3
VR Window Enhancements...................................................18
Extended Planes Object Support...........................................18
Data Display Templates.......................................................20
3D Grids............................................................................20
Mining Power Pack ..............................................................20
Quick Legends....................................................................21
OLE Plot Items ...................................................................21
Images in Log Views ...........................................................21
Extended North Arrow Support.............................................21
Performance & Usability ......................................................21
Unified Static/Dynamic Drillhole Interface ..............................22
Wireframing Performance Increases......................................22
Clip-to-Perimeter Improvement ............................................22
Improved VR Window Rendering ..........................................22
Quick Profile Loading ..........................................................22
Memory Management Improvements ....................................23
Distance to End-of-hole Label ..............................................23
Wireframing and Booleans
23
ISOContour Surfaces ..........................................................23
Extract Separate Enhancements ...........................................24
Alternate Boolean Method Now Available ...............................24
DTM Creation Functionality ..................................................24
Grid from DTMs Function .....................................................24
Link-Multiple-Strings command ............................................24
Wireframe-Split command ...................................................25
Wireframe-Section..............................................................25
Extended Boolean Plane Options...........................................25
Documentation and Support ................................................25
Full Context-sensitive and Conceptual Help............................26
Full Context-sensitive and Conceptual Help............................26
Data Source Driver Help Updates..........................................26
Screen Capture Facility .......................................................26
Tutorials............................................................................26
Scripting and Automation
27
Extended Automation Facilities.............................................28
Datamine Script Converter ..................................................28
Macro File Name Size Increased ...........................................28
New Macro Writing Tutorial ..................................................28
Scripting from .NET ............................................................29
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Studio 3 is Datamines premier resource / reserve modelling and engineering solution. Its
object oriented data model and support for distributed file systems allow mining professionals
improved flexibility and greater control of data. Combined with the ability to view and format
data independently in multiple views, Studio is the ideal environment for enhanced
visualisation and verification of ore body models and mine designs. Studio 3 provides
corporations with a secure governance framework through Enterprise level solutions.
The
incorporation
of
industry
standard scripting tools provides a
powerful scripting capability, allowing
work flow procedures to be designed
into solutions and repetitive tasks to
be automated. Studio also includes
an integrated virtual reality (VR)
environment ideal for safety reviews,
training, operational planning and
general collaboration activities.
One of Datamines key strengths lies
in our comprehensive coverage of
software for the entire mine planning
cycle.
As you can see from our
Solution Footprint above, this isnt
just Studio but covers a lot of other
software as well.
Datamine are continuing to develop our Solution Footprint and have invested significant
resource in the development of Studio 3, which represents a major contribution to this effort.
Although Studios traditional area of usage was steeped in the Geological Interpretation area,
Studio now covers the full range of activities in the mine planning cycle from Exploration and
Data Collection to Operational Mine Planning. Studio 3 not only encompasses the Geological
Interpretation but also significantly expands coverage in other areas including In Touch and
Datamine Enterprise.
Studio 3 has been subject to a continual development program since its release in 2006.
Regular releases, resulting from market feedback has meant that our flagship title is now the
most intensely developed, tested and documented package of its type in the market today.
Offering a multitude of new features and enhancements, implementing Studio 3 within your
business is a natural choice for anyone serious about thriving in the mining industry.
This document represents a reference list of all significant features and enhancements added
since Studio 3s inception in 2006. It is not an exhaustive list and represents a relatively
small subset of the total efforts that have gone into maintaining Studio 3s position as the
application of choice for all mining professionals.
If you have any specific questions about how Studio 3 can improve your business, contact
your local Datamine representative, details of which can be found at www.datamine.co.uk.
The following key new features and enhancements have been introduced in this version of
Datamine Studio 3.
Multi-user Studio!!!
Multi-user Studio 3 includes a licensable option to ensure that the full power of the powerful
MineTrust system is available to all Studio 3 users, permitting a truly protected multi-user
environment. Minetrust-aware Studio 3 projects can take full advantage of this functionality,
allowing database-protected check-in and check-out and auditing capabilites.
Multi-user Studio facilitates a bottom-up benefit where project stakeholders can share data
in a safe and managed fashion, with a clear view of what data is required, where it can be
found and who is currently using it.
The big message for Multi-user Studio 3, however, is that it delivers enterprise-wide data
clarity.
One of the challenges facing the mining industry, with regards to implementing successful
collaborative environments is that the software users are generally the people who have
granular technical knowledge of software and the real deal of what is actually happening in
their respective areas. Generally speaking, however, they do not carry the authority to
initiate systems to encourage effective project collaboration across departments and sites.
Conversely, members of a senior management team will invariably carry the authority to
engineer such improvements but may not be aware of the environment within which such
systems are required.
Multi-user Studio realises both bottom-up and top-down benefits to bridge the gap between
what is and what is known.
Multi-user Studio is a major initiative for Datamine and represents one aspect of our drive to
reposition ourselves as the definitive providers of operational improvement throughout the
recession and beyond.
Project Autorecover
You can now display your line overlays as feature symbols. You
can control how symbols are placed, their size, which graphic is
used and how they are aligned with the underlying line data. This
feature has been supplied courtesy of the Format Display
dialog.
Setup, Startup and Installation: features and enhancements that directly affect
the installation or initial configuration of Studio 3, including associated applications.
Data Transfer and Management: program changes that relate to the import or
export of data, and the handling of files and projects during a Studio 3 session.
Data Presentation: Studio 3s Plots and VR windows have also been subject to
significant improvements.
For information about the latest version of Studio 3, please contact your local Datamine
representative for details specific to your area.
Installation process:
Project Autorecover
The latest version of Studio 3 features a project
autosave and autorecover facility to prevent data
loss should Studio be terminated abnormally.
Autosave intervals are configurable using new
project settings, and autorecovered projects are
highlighted to users on the next startup, allowing
(optional) recovery of the last autosaved state.
Vista Compatibility
Datamine are pleased to announce that Downhole Explorer now
supports the Microsoft Vista Business operating system (Service Pack
1 minimum), following an intensive testing and development period.
your screen is laid out. Multiple profiles can be saved and reloaded easily, and at any stage of
a Studio 3 session.
Profiles are XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files, containing information about your
Studio 3 interface, or 'customization state'. These files are created automatically by your
Studio 3 application, and default profiles are available.
Profiles contain a wealth of information about your Studio 3 interface, including the following:
Data windows in view, and their visible state (minimized, maximized, tiled etc.)
Toolbars in view and their visible state (position, floating, docked etc.)
Control bars in view, and their visible state (position, floating, docked etc.)
A key advantage of using profiles is that they allow you to create interface layouts that suit a
particular purpose. For example, you may have a particular set up that is sympathetic
towards data presentation, and another for mine design, or VR window work. There is no
limit to the amount of profiles you can store, and providing they are named sensibly, you will
be able to retrieve a setup that suits any working scenario in Studio 3.
In addition, Sirovision import facilities have been introduced to facilitate the import of
SiroTIFF files from 3rd party applications.
Data filtering control is also available on import with this set of drivers, with options relevant
to the data transfer route being presented to the user prior to committing to an import.
Data transfer is an important aspect of using Datamine software we dont expect anyone to
commit to a single format. As such, our awareness of the current market formats and
versions is unsurpassed, ensuring you can access your most valuable corporate data within
our market-leading systems.
Help | About Enhancements
All Datamine products now deliver a standardized information page
under the Help context menu. As well as data relating to the release in
general and individual installed components, information about the
DirectX specific functionality and OpenGl functionality is also provided.
Two extra buttons: DX Info and GL Info have been added to give
access to dialogs reporting the appropriate information.
Common Tutorial Data Set
To complement the range of tutorials that have been written exclusively
for Studio 3 users, a single demo data set now exists for core Datamine
projects, installed/updated with each new setup. This data is referenced
throughout all of the Studio 3 tutorials, and is also shared by other
products within the Datamine solution footprint.
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POLYDC Process
A new declustering super-process has been written for Studio 3.
It is common practice to take more samples in high grade areas in order
to improve the level of confidence in the estimation. However when
data are not on a regular grid then using the full data set with equal
weights for all samples will give a biased estimate of the mean, variance
and histogram.
The declustered weights take account of the proximity of neighbouring samples and thus lead
to a better estimate of the statistical parameters, histograms, probability plots, QQ and PP
plots, etc.
The new POLYDC process calculates a set of declustered weights for a set of sample data
using the 3D polyhedra method which is the 3D equivalent of 2D polygonal declustering.
The existing DECLUST process also calculates declustered weights, but uses the rectangular
grid method. The POLYDC process has several advantages over DECLUST, with the main
one being the fact that weights are calculated for individual samples rather than all samples
in a grid rectangle being assigned the same value.
Grid-from-DTMs Design Command
A new command has been added to the Wireframes menu. Grid from
DTMs allows you to create minimum, maximum or average elevation
profiles consisting of a grid of points 'dropped' to the specified location,
in relation to single or multiple wireframe surfaces.
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provided for specific reasons. Easily accessible from tabs at the top of the data window, each
area represents a different functional category.
The following data display enhancements and features represent the most significant updates
introduced since the first release of Studio 3:
Scatter Plot Sheets
Studio 3's histogram charting functions, introduced
in MR16, have been extended to allow scatter plot
sheets to be generated in a similar manner to their
histogram counterparts.
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Interactive Charting
Chart plot items are a useful way of representing any table,
whether loaded in memory or on disk. As well as inserting charts
as independent plot items on plot sheets, you can set up plot
sheets that are entirely devoted to the display of one or more
charts, thus constructing a 'chart sheet'.
Chart plot items in MR16 provide a complete upgrade to the
older HISTOG and HISFIT processes. Multiple histograms can be easily and rapidly created as
presentation ready plot sheets. In addition, two way dynamic selection allows histogram bins
to be selected and the data points are then highlighted in the design and VR windows. This
allows easy analysis of the numerical variation in the data to be compared to its spatial
variance. For example, the identification of whether high grade sample data is clustered in
certain areas is simple and fast.
A variety of chart formatting options are available; you can create a chart based on a
combination of value fields. Key fields can be used, if required, to display data divided into
the selected key categories. In addition to key field selection, values can be weighted using
additional charting parameters.
Drillhole Previewer
The Drillhole panel of the Format Display dialog has been overhauled to
provide a new preview panel that shows the position and size of the
downhole columns that are being displayed.
The previewer shows the alignment, margin, drawing order and column
width as well as one-click access to the extensive Downhole Column formatting menu
system.
Sheet Templates
Sheet templates are an efficient way of introducing standard content to
your plot or log views. They can be used to minimize the work required
in generating a framework presentation project which can be re-used in
the future.
Applicable to both Plot and Log views, templates are stored in a
proprietary format (.dmtpl) which can be read in Studio 3, Downhole Explorer or Present
applications.
Sirovision Window
Studio 3s Sirovision window is an excellent example of the integration
of a new technology. Datamine Sirovision is a new technology that
combines the power of digital photography with advanced mathematics
to create value for the Mining industry.
Sirovision produces rapid, accurate 3D structural models of mine features using affordable
digital cameras.
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Sirovision has been designed to support rapid mapping of mine features with a
minimum of expertise in Photogrammetry. Using Sirovision, you can build accurate
three-dimensional models from sections as small as 2 square meters up to 40,000
square meters in minutes. Using this system you can also create multiple 3D images
in order to build an extended panoramic image.
For more information on the Studio 3 licensed Sirovision option, please contact your local
Datamine Representative.
VR Window Enhancements
The VR window is new to Studio 3, and is an embedded version of
Datamines powerful InTouch technology. This visualization facility
represents the Mining Industrys first truly-integrated virtual reality
solution. Data that is used during resource/reserve analysis, mine
design, scheduling and reporting is the same as that used to present
your virtual scenes in a memorable and unequivocal way. Since its inception, several
enhancements have been made to the VR window (and its standalone InTouch equivalent):
Extended Planes Object Support
Support for the planes data object (used during rock
mass structure analysis and stereonet creation) has
been extended to allow planes objects to be created
within the Design window. Additional menu options
allow planes to be saved as separate data files and
reloaded/refreshed/unloaded. Online Help has been
updated for this beta version.
Block Model Visualization: new controls have been added to the VR window to
show block model data in a variety of formats, and with full playback of sequenced
geological model animations.
Visualizer File Support: Visualizer (.gvp) file support has been added to the VR
window, allowing you to import and navigate exported Visualizer files, with or without
sequence animation support.
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previous versions. This performance improvement has been ported to both Studio 3
and InTouch applications
View Sections in VR: a new Sections item type has been added to the VR window.
These sections represent single planes, which can be used for digitising onto, for
clipping with, or simply displayed for reference purposes. Sections can be infinite
planes, or can have a plane width and height defined. Section planes may also be
accompanied by extents, which may have their own display settings, and can be used
for creating a clipping range.
VR Planes from Strings: Studio 3's VR window can now use strings digitised onto
wireframes to specify key planes, for example for joint space analysis. As part of this,
a variety of new tools and visualisation methods have been added to help with their
generation and interpretation. These new commands are available under the new
SiroJoint licensing module - contact your Datamine Representative for more details on
how to acquire this powerful tool set.
View VR Surfaces as Intersections: You can now view VR surface or block model
data as an intersection. Block model sections can also show sub-celling (only full cells
are displayed using the standard block model section control dialog). This intersection
can be defined according to any section currently in memory.
Many of the functions of the Visualizer window have been migrated to the
VR window. The way that objects are illuminated by default now matches Visualizer
settings, and block model cell scaling factors are now consistent between these
windows. In addition to this, a "Transparent All" option has been added to the Surface
and Block Model context menus to perform a global opacity setting for all objects of a
given type.
The Environment Settings dialog now has a new Exaggerate option, allowing the VR
window data to stretched by a specific amount, in a fixed direction. The VR window
will also support any existing exaggeration settings in the Design window when the
VR window is updated ("vro").
A new Sections toolbar has been added to the VR window to allow objects displayed
as sections to be traversed using familiar controls. Using a similar configuration to the
Plots window, you can now align sections to points, set default alignements, modify
the section width, apply clipping and traverse backwards and forwards through all
sections using desktop icons.
More Navigation Controls are now available in VR including new pan, zoom and
spin modes.
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You can now use a new context-menu Copy command to make copies of VR objects
quickly and easily. This is particularly useful if you wish to render the same Design
window data in several different ways, simultaneously.
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Quick Legends
Studio 3s Quick Legend facility is used to produce number-based
legends (i.e. legends that interpret the numeric data of an underlying
object when it is associated with an overlay of that object). Using a cutdown single-screen version of the Legend Wizard, you can rapidly
generate ranged legends based on underlying object table contents.
In addition to this feature, a new legend-swapping facility has been implemented. Rightclicking a Design window overlay displays this new option. With it, you can elect to apply the
currently associated legend to any data column in the underlying object. This allows you to
quickly apply the existing legend to any data column.
OLE Plot Items
Studio 3 provides a variety of proprietary plot items that you can add to
your plot views to enhance a particular presentation. These items,
although not directly 'built' from the same data format as, say, a
geological block model or wireframe, they can report the contents of
loaded objects of this type.
Plot items can be static (for any items that will remain 'as constructed' no matter which
underlying data is present) or linked (meaning that the information reported by the item can
change according to certain aspects of the operating environment - such as a change of data
object, or projection, or section and so on).
Images in Log Views
Introduced in Studio 3, log views can be 'linked' to an external file
containing a list of images. In fact, a particular hole display can be linked
to any number of images. For example, hole VB3764 is supported, for a
particular FROM and TO length interval, by color-enhanced imagery of a
core sample, as well as a filtered view showing concentrations of a
specific mineral deposit within the sample.
Both of these images are useful for interpretation and presentation purposes, and both relate
to a particular downhole sample.
Extended North Arrow Support
North Arrows are a standard plot item in Studio 3, one of many available
templates available from the Plot Item Library.
Arrow plot items have been enhanced in this release, and are now based
on flexible TrueType technology, allowing dynamic scaling and
formatting to be applied, with or without snapping or aspect ratio preservation.
In addition to this upgrade, Arrow plot items can now be associated with grid overlays. Grid
Arrows allow independent, local-coordinate-system indicators to be shown in either 2D or 3D.
Consult your help file for more details.
North Arrow support has also been extended to the Design window; this is the first instance
of a Plot Item being available in this view, and is provided via a button shown on the Design
windows Format Grid dialog. This dynamic arrow is an excellent graphical indicator,
particularly in 3D mode.
Performance & Usability
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Clearly, theres little point in introducing more features than your hardware
can cope with. Within Datamine, it is an established business ethic to fit in
with your business capabilities; it is important that your Datamine
applications functional to their full potential on the designated hardware.
This has driven Datamine to invest much effort in ensuring that Studio 3
sits comfortably within your IT environment, and continuous code
optimization projects ensure that the code that sits behind your application is as efficient as it
can be. The mining industry traditionally deals with high-resolution data sets, particularly in
the area of geological analysis, and our developers are focussed on delivering the most
effective solutions for todays hardware. On- and off-disk technologies are used to their full
potential.
The following enhancements have been introduced relating to system performance and
usability:
Unified Static/Dynamic Drillhole Interface
Both static and dynamic drillholes can now be edited with a single user
interface to make downhole formatting even easier. Previously a similar
but separate user interface was provided for each type.
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techniques
on
The following enhancements have been made to Studio 3s wireframing functions. All of the
functions listed below are described at both context and concept levels within your Studio 3
online Help.
ISOContour Surfaces
A new function has been added to the wireframe
portfolio in this version. Create Isosurfaces is
available from the Design window's drop-down
menu and is used to generate wireframe surfaces
from volumetric data values. Isosurfaces may be
generated where sample values pass through a
target level, or alternatively where sample values
change to or from a specific target value.
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Wireframe-Split command
Splits a solid wireframe into two parts using a plane which can
be the view plane, a plane (specified by azimuth, inclination and
a reference point), or a plane picked using the pointer.
Wireframe-Section
The previous multiple-wireframe-slice command has now been
superseded by a more versatile version of the command.
Wireframe-Section creates a string where a defined plane cuts
through a wireframe object, using the new Wireframe Section
Dialog.
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Documentation is not a replacement for face-to-face training, and we are keen to encourage
the continued increase in uptake for our training courses. All of Studio 3s documentation has
been written to complement our world-beating training, and provides an invaluable reference
for any Studio 3 user.
Help delivery is an important aspect of your application, and Datamine take it very seriously.
Full Context-sensitive and Conceptual Help
All Studio 3 dialogs now support context-sensitive Help. Pressing
<F1> in any dialog will produce a Help file relevant to the dialog
on display.
Much effort has been invested in ensuring that information is
both up-to-date and, wherever required, conceptual, supporting
information is provided.
Full Context-sensitive and Conceptual Help
All Studio 3 dialogs now support context-sensitive Help. Pressing
<F1> in any dialog will produce a Help file relevant to the dialog
on display.
Much effort has been invested in ensuring that information is
both up-to-date and, wherever required, conceptual, supporting
information is provided.
Data Source Driver Help Updates
Datamine's proprietary Data Source Drivers facility has long
been used to facilitate data transfer between Datamine
applications and a variety of industry-standard formats.
Documentation for each driver has been completely rewritten
and implemented to ensure you get the most out of this powerful
data management system. Click <F1>, or press Help in any data
import or export dialog to view these new files.
Screen Capture Facility
The facility to record simulations created in the VR window has
been available since the introduction of Studio 3.
This facility has now been extended to allow you to capture the
output from any Studio 3 data window, in .avi or .wmv format,
using all available compression routines.
Tutorials
Datamine training courses offer tailored solutions for both new
and current customers. Every release of Studio 3 is assisted by a
set of tutorials that cover all aspects of your system, and have
been written to be commensurate with Datamines seminal
training methodology. Referencing demonstration data (installed
automatically), these tutorials are an important part of your
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system.
Tutorials are available for the following subjects:
Open Pit Design Tutorial: this tutorial covers the stages involved in creating an
ultimate pit design.
Underground Design Tutorial: this tutorial introduces you to the key Studio 3
features used for the creation of a strategic mine design which would typically form
part of a feasibility study or a long term plan of a mine planning cycle. It includes the
design of workings for an ex-pit decline, footwall development and a Cut and Fill
mining method.
Data Presentation Tutorial: this tutorial introduces you to the key Studio 3
features used for presenting the electronic data that you would typically create in the
geological modeling, grade estimation, mine design and mine planning stages of a
Mine Planning Cycle.
Grade Estimation Tutorial: This tutorial introduces you to the key Studio 3 features
used for grade estimation. Typically 'grades' are estimated into the cells of a
geological block model in order to generate a resource block model, which would
typically be used as input into a feasibility study or a short-medium-long term plan of
a mine planning cycle. Alternatively, 'grades' can estimated using panel outlines and
results saved to a results table, without creating a block model.
Scripting Tutorial: this tutorial will raise your awareness of the potential of
automating some of your business processes using the wide variety of tools and
components on offer, and provide a solid basis for learning more about this powerful
aspect of Studio 3.
Macro Writing Tutorial: This tutorial aims to introduce you to the basic tools and
techniques used to write effective macros in Studio 3.
Legends Tutorial: a series of exercises is available to take you through some of the
key processes involved in managing the display of your Studio 3 data.
Mining Power Pack Tutorial: understand and use Mining Power Pack from an
informed perspective by following this tutorial.
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operational,
From more
3 Scripting
| Scripting
Tutorial.
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www.datamine.co.uk
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