INTRODUCTION TO SURPAC..............................................................................

3
Summary.................................................................................................................................... 3

INSTALLATION......................................................................................................5
Install Surpac Vision from CD-ROM........................................................................................... 5
The SSI Sentinel....................................................................................................................... 11
Starting Surpac Vision And Installing The License Token Number............................................11
Customising Surpac................................................................................................................. 13
ASSIGNMENT.......................................................................................................................................................16

THE SURPAC PLATFORM..................................................................................17

Main Window............................................................................................................................ 17
Menus....................................................................................................................................... 18
Toolbars.................................................................................................................................... 19
Forms....................................................................................................................................... 20
Forms and Field Help........................................................................................................... 20
Field Help............................................................................................................................. 21
Form Help............................................................................................................................ 21
Auto Help............................................................................................................................. 21
Last Value if blank................................................................................................................ 21
Last Value............................................................................................................................ 22
Constant............................................................................................................................... 22
Application............................................................................................................................ 22
Message Window..................................................................................................................... 22
Function Keys........................................................................................................................... 23
Saving, loading and clearing the default settings......................................................................23
Surpac Navigator...................................................................................................................... 24

SURPAC PRINCIPLES-STRINGS AND STRING FILES....................................26

String Type............................................................................................................................... 27
Use of String Kinds................................................................................................................... 29
String Descriptions................................................................................................................... 29
String Directions....................................................................................................................... 29
String file Structure................................................................................................................... 30
Section co-ordinates................................................................................................................. 32
ASSIGNMENT.......................................................................................................................................................34

GRAPHICS...........................................................................................................35
Overview.................................................................................................................................. 35
Viewing Data............................................................................................................................ 36
Graphics Concepts................................................................................................................... 38
Layers.................................................................................................................................. 38
Multiple viewports................................................................................................................. 40
Current working directory..................................................................................................... 41
Point Selection..................................................................................................................... 42
Point Modes......................................................................................................................... 43
Undo..................................................................................................................................... 43
Graphics Display Menu............................................................................................................ 44
Attributes Styles Files........................................................................................................ 45
Graphics Inquire Menu............................................................................................................. 49
Graphics Edit Menu.................................................................................................................. 50
 Edit Layers................................................................................................................................ 51
File Menu.................................................................................................................................. 52
Saving A File........................................................................................................................ 52
ASSIGNMENT.......................................................................................................................................................54
PROCEDURE...56

ADVANCED EDITING TOOLS.............................................................................63

Digitising................................................................................................................................... 63
Editing Conventions.................................................................................................................. 64
Properties............................................................................................................................. 65
Digitise New Point at Mouse Location..................................................................................65
New Midpoint....................................................................................................................... 65
Snap Mode and Digitising.................................................................................................... 65
By Following a segment....................................................................................................... 66
Start Next String................................................................................................................... 66
Start New String................................................................................................................... 66
Start/End New Segment....................................................................................................... 66
Close Current Segment........................................................................................................ 66
Delete Last Point.................................................................................................................. 66
Reactivate Segment............................................................................................................. 66
ASSIGNMENT.......................................................................................................................................................70
PROCEDURE........................................................................................................................................................71

2
INTRODUCTION TO SURPAC
Summary

Surpac Minex group is dedicated to producing leading edge technical software and customer care
services for the resource industry.

Surpac Vision is an analysis and design tool, which provides flexibility and numerous options with
the integration of a 3D graphical environment containing multi layer control and split screen
viewports.

Surpac Vision version 5.0 has a range of excellent new functionality in key areas. We feel that
this is a significant step towards the integration between spatial data that defines each project,
and functionality and user accessibility.

New data connectivity within version 5.0 allows users to read and write data from and to virtually
any data source or file format via suitable plug-ins. There is no need to import/export or duplicate
data. This means that professionals using different technical applications are able to share data
and cooperate without difficulty, using the most suitable tools for the task rather than being tied to
a single application by inefficiencies involved in moving data between applications.

Data Plugins included with the first release of version 5.0 include
Autocad .DWG and .DXF
ArcInfo shape files
Datamine .ASC and .DM
Gemcom
Medsystem
Microstation
Vulcan

Function enhancements introduced since version 4.1

Block Modelling
Unrestricted resolution
Variable subcelling in different directions
Reblocking
Percentage attribute inside a solid
Point cloud display
Metadata internal auditing of block model

Pit Optimiser

Perform floating cone and/or Lerch Grossman algorithms directly on the block model to compute
an optimum pit surface.

Application tools and enhancements, a wide range of small projects and general enhancements
Surveying resection
New surveying instrument interfaces
Advanced modeling of solids using connected segments (tielines)
SCL scripting extensions to database
Graphical geology database enhancements
Better support for high end OpenGL graphics cards

3
 Integrated slicing planes sections through database, block model and DTMs with
realworld grids
Ring design enhancements
Improved graphical user interface and right click navigator functionality

4
INSTALLATION

When reinstalling Surpac Vision onto a machine that already has the software installed,
simply browse for the correct location to overwrite any preexisting files (you have the option
of retaining user customised files). However with major releases it is recommended to do
a full installation into a new area then modify the customisable files to match the
previous version.

If you wish to keep the previous installed version of the software, simply change the name and
path of the install folder.

Install Surpac Vision from CD-ROM

1. Insert the SSI CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive of your computer.

The SSI software installer program will start automatically and display a form allowing
you to select which product to install. Select Install Products to select which surpac
product you would like to install

If your PC has not been configured to autorun CDs then simply browse the CD using the
Windows explorer and run the setup.exe program. Alternatively choose Start -- Run --
D:\setup.exe (assuming the CD is assigned to D drive.)

5
 Software Applications that can be installed include Surpac Vision, Scheduler, Quarry,
XplorPac, LogMate and DrillKing.

2. Browse for and select Surpac Vision.

A copy of the latest software is also available for download online from our website
www.surpac.com

3. The following forms that will be displayed welcoming you to the Surpac Vision set up
program, and supply the copyright statement, simply apply the next button after reading
each form.

6
4. Choose Next to continue.

5. Choose Yes to continue.

The form displayed below displays the software selected for installation and the
destination directory.

7
 6. Choose the
Browse button if
you wish to
change the
destination
directory selected.
With this
form you
can select
another
directory by
using the
browser or
overtype
the Path
statement
(C:\ssi_v5)
with a new path and directory name.

It is a good idea to install the software in a new location so that if you have any problems with
the new installation you can easily return to the previous until they are overcome.

Note that at this time, it is not possible to install Surpac into a folder containing spaces in the
name i.e. 'Program Files'.

7. As this is a new installation we are given the option of copying custom files from a
previous version.

8
 Custom files include the plotting library files, styles files, profiles and logicals normally
kept in the ssi_etc: folder.

8. Surpac Vision is component based and customisable. Browse through the options
taking note which are critical components and which are optional.
Critical components like Java runtime files or DLLs must be installed for the software to
work, optional components like the training demonstration files are installed at the user's
discretion.

9. A confirmation form is displayed. Choose Next to continue.

9
10. On completion a form is displayed, indicating a successful installation. Choose Finish
to end the installation process.
After successful completion of the software installation process a SURPAC Vision (or
other product) icon will be placed on the computer desktop which can be double clicked
to start the software.

If this is the first time Surpac has been installed on this machine and it is running WinNT or
Win2000 then before continuing you will need to restart the computer so that it can recognise
the SSI sentinel and start the sentinel driver.

The SSI Sentinel

Attach the sentinel to either the parallel port or a USB port (depending on your sentinel type). For
USB sentinels, it is essential for USB sentinels that you DO NOT attach the sentinel before
installing the driver software. Because USB sentinels cannot have other devices connected to
them, they are the preferred option if you hardware and operating system can handle them.

Before you can run Surpac Vision, a SSI sentinel must be installed on your computer or network.
If you are running Surpac Vision on a network please refer to the SSI installation booklet for
details on setting up the system. If you are running Surpac Vision stand alone, the sentinel needs
to be plugged into the printer port or USB port on the back of your machine. If any device other
than a printer is connected to the back of the sentinel, eg. a tape backup unit, zip drive etc. the
sentinel can be damaged.

Starting Surpac Vision And Installing The License Token Number

1. Point to the Surpac Vision icon with the mouse and double click the left mouse button.
Surpac Vision will look for a licence and token number. If it cannot find one it will display
the LICENCE REQUEST form.

10
The token number changes with every major release of the software, but does not change
with maintenance releases. If you are installing a maintenance release of the software the
`tokens.ssi' file can be copied from the previous installation.

Take particular note of the fact that Surpac Vision can be run without a sentinel attached to
access the viewing and some data exchange functions. Simply select license type none and
Surpac will start allowing you to recall files, import and view data in graphics.

2. Enter Local and choose Apply to display the UPDATE LICENCE TOKEN form.

3. Enter the token number and choose the Validate button to verify the number.
If the token number is correct, the word `valid' will appear under the token number and
the word `yes' will appear in the enabled column next to the modules that are licensed to
that user.

4. Choose Apply once you have entered and validated your token number.
After you apply this form, a file called `tokens.ssi' is created in the \share\etc folder on the
drive and under the folder name you used to install Surpac Vision.
Maintenance releases are typically produced monthly and only need to be installed if
required. SSI sends out a newsletter called Screen Dump that advises the availability of a

11
 maintenance release and the changes that have been made to the software. Current and
previous issues of Screen Dump and No Strings Attached can be viewed at
www.surpac.com.

5. A startup screen with message will be displayed for several seconds while the
program resources are loaded:

Customising Surpac
Surpac Vision will start in the default installation directory. Take note of this startup
directory, it is displayed in the window header at the top of the screen and is represented
by a tick in the file navigator.
To customize the startup directory, exit out of surpac and right click on the surpac icon,
select the properties tab

12
Useful things to change at this stage are:

The startup directory C:\ssi_V5.0-i\dem\training\intro

Icon colour (selecting change icon will give a collection of Surpac style icons to choose
from)
Shortcut key i.e. type a letter such as s and this shortcut can be started using the Ctrl +
Alt + S combination

More advanced settings can also be attributed to this shortcut:

C:\ssi_V5.0-I\nt_i386\bin\surpac2.exe -profile geology1 will Start Surpac with the
geology1 profile
C:\ssi_V5.0-I\nt_i386\bin\surpac2.exe -trans C:\ssi_V4.0-D\share\etc\translate.ssi
will start Surpac with a particular translation file
C:\ssi_V5.0-I\nt_i386\bin\surpac2.exe -lm **local** will start Surpac and only search for
a local sentinel
C:\ssi_V5.0-I\nt_i386\bin\surpac2.exe -lm **ip address** will start Surpac and only
search for server with that ip address
C:\ssi_V5.0-I\nt_i386\bin\surpac2.exe examplemacro.tcl arg1 arg2 will start Surpac
and run a macro in the startup directory with two variables

Menu and Toolbar Customisation

CREATING A PROFILE

A profile is a configuration of menus and toolbars that have been designed to suit a particular
style of usage of the software. A number of suitable profiles are provided. You can, using the
customising features of the software create your own profiles to suit your own usage pattern.

A selection of previously created profiles are available which have been created for a
selected use, if these do not suit the functions you use regularly, simply create your own
profile by the following steps.

Choose Customise menus toolbars from the Customise menu to display the modify menus and
toolbars editor.

This tool allows you to modify the menu and toolbar layout of the graphical interface.

13
The Menu/Toolbar items are grouped into sections:

14
 Surpac - this section contains all the system Menus and Toolbars. These items cannot be
modified. However, they can be copied into the user section and modified there.
User - this section contains all your custom Menus and Toolbars. This section is fully
customisable.
Imported Surpac 2000 - this section contains the imported Surpac 2000 menus. These
items will only exist after menus and forms have been imported using the Import
Surpac2000 user menus option under the Customise menu option. These items should
be removed once they have been copied into the User section.
Imported Surpac Vision - this section contains the imported Surpac Vision menus and
Toolbars. These items will only exist after importing a custom config file using the import
button.

Menus and Toolbars can be edited by using the buttons on the right hand side of the Modify
Menus and Toolbar form or by right clicking on the item to be edited.

Toolbars
Use New to make your own toolbar, then again to make new toolbar items. The following
form will be presented.

Here you can define your own toolbar item.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Create your own user profile

2. Customise your Surpac Icon to reflect your startup directory and your own profile.

15
THE SURPAC PLATFORM

OBJECTIVES

To become familiar with Surpac Vision and some of its fundamental functionality.
To become familiar with Surpac Visions graphical interface.
To learn to import/export data to and from AutoCAD.
To use Surpac Visions editing tools to manipulate string data.
To use Surpac Visions viewing tools to manipulate views of data.
To learn to create Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) of surfaces.

FILES USED
Files used in this lab exercise are found in the following folder:

C:\INTRODUCTION.LAB\

Main Window

The main window is where all the work gets done. It is important that you understand how to
use the various features of this window to get the maximum benefit from the software.

The main window may be minimised or resized at any time. These are window manager
functions and do not have any effect on Surpac Vision with the exception that while it is
minimised, although it will continue processing, you can not enter any information interactively.

The main window has four major components:

16
 Menus
Forms
Message Window
Surpac Navigator

Menus

Like almost all software today, a drop down hierarchical menu system has been developed to
permit every feature in the software to be invoked by choosing an item from a menu.

Menus are the primary means for activating functions in Surpac. Where an indented triangle
exists on the right side of the menu it means that choosing this menu button will display sub-
menus. Where this triangle does not exist, you will invoke a function.

To choose a menu or invoke a function, position your mouse pointer over the menu and click with
any of the mouse buttons.

To customize the menus display, choose the menu/toolbar list by right clicking in some vacant
space anywhere in the menu bar or toolbar region.

17
Menus
This popup display contains a list of all menu bars and all toolbars that may be displayed.

The menu bars and tool bars that are displayed have a tick beside them while those that are
not displayed have no tick.

Example:

Choose a new menu to display (eg. Blast design) and observe how the menu area updates.

Right mouse click beside this newly displayed menu and select hide to remove it.

Toolbars

As with the SURPAC Vision menus described above, multiple toolbars are provided to suit special
areas of application. Using the mouse to right click on vacant space in the menu bar or toolbar
region will display the popup menu so that the menu bar and toolbar configuration can be altered.

Example.
Toolbars
Choose the menu/toolbar list by right clicking in some vacant space
anywhere in the menu bar or toolbar region.
Select the Geology toolbar and observe the new icons

Hold the mouse pointer in turn, over several of the icons to see each
tooltip

Drag the toolbar into the graphic workspace and resize

Select the toolbar X icon to return the floating toolbar to the top of the
window

Hide the toolbar using the right mouse popup menu

Function Chooser

The function chooser provides the final alternative for invoking

functions. A characteristic of usage patterns with computer software sees people progress from
novice level, where menus and toolbars are used as the primary means of invoking functions to a
more advanced level fairly quickly. On reaching a more advanced level, frustration with the need
to navigate through some menu hierarchy to find the item of interest often occurs.

The function chooser negates this problem by providing the most direct route possible to execute
any function in SURPAC Vision by entering the function name directly. This eliminates the need to
navigate the menus at all.

Given that some function names are quite verbose this may seem a little contradictory especially
if a lengthy function name must be entered. This of course will take more keystrokes than a few
mouse clicks and movements to navigate to the menu item of interest.

The function chooser avoids the need to enter lengthy function names by:
Responding to function aliases abbreviations of just a few characters (sometimes as few
as 2 characters) that are equivalent to the function name. An example of this is the alias
CS for the function CLEAR SCREEN. The relationship is self evident. To aid users of
older versions of SSI products, aliases that mimic software features all the way back to
early versions of SURPAC 1 are still supported, like 6A for the CREATE DTM function for
example. A complete list of aliases can be found in the files SSI_ETC:short.ssi and
SSI_ETC:surpac.mst.
Accepting any unique abbreviation of a function and executing that function without
requiring the entire function name to be entered.
If an ambiguous function abbreviation is entered then the function chooser will open and
display a list of function names commencing with the abbreviation entered. This list can
then be examined until the required function is found and chosen using the mouse or
enter key.
As an aid to learning the function names that are associated with each menu item and
toolbar button, as each function is executed the name of the function is displayed in the
function chooser. during function execution the function chooser is made inactive to give
a clear indication that SURPAC Vision is busy performing some task.
The function chooser can be expanded to present a list of all function names and function
aliases by using the mouse to select the arrow icon to the right of the function chooser
input field

Forms

Forms are the means by which you enter data and parameters to dictate the manner in which the
functions work. A typical form is shown below.

20
Forms and Field Help

Clicking the right mouse button in the current field (or radio button or checkbox) presents a popup
menu:

21
At the top of the menu, the five values previous entered in the field are displayed. Selecting one
of these values copies it into the current field. Following these items is Last value for all fields.
Selecting this item reverts every field on the form to its value the last time the form was applied
(so that the form can be applied using the same values as the previous application of the form).

Following these items are the Cut, Copy and Paste items (where appropriate) and Field Help,
Form Help Auto Help items.

Field Help
Selecting this item displays the field help for the current field. The field help information
automatically updates for any later selected fields. The help is displayed in a text area on the
bottom of the current form. When the form is closed, the help will not re-appear for subsequent
forms, unless this menu option is selected again.

Form Help
Selecting this item displays the form help for the current form. The help is displayed in a text area
on the bottom of the current form. When the form is closed, the help will not re-appear for
subsequent forms, unless this menu option is selected again.

Auto Help
As mentioned above, the form and field help does not stay active between forms. Selecting Auto
help makes the form and field help window appear for every form until you either select it again,
or shut down the software. When a form appears, the Form help is displayed in the help area.
When you move to the first field to start entering data into the form, the field help will appear for
that field, and all subsequent fields as you input values into the form.

At the bottom of the menu are four extra items, Last Value if blank, Last value, Constant... and
Application. These items determine the default value of the field when it is initially displayed.

Last Value if blank

Selecting this item causes the field to retain the last value entered where the application does not
supply a value. For example, if selected for the Layer field of the Recall a File form, this option
would not alter the field, but if selected for the Location field of the same form, the last file
location would be presented.

Last Value
Selecting this item causes the field to retain the last value regardless of any other value inserted
by the application. For example, if selected for the Layer field of the Recall a File form, this
option would present the name of the layer the previous application of this form used.

Constant...
Selecting this item allows entry of a value to use for this field every time the form is displayed.

Application
Selecting this item causes the field to behave in the same way that it did in previous versions of
the software, displaying any value entered in the field by the application

22
Message Window

The message window is used to display messages which are generated during information
processing. There are four different types of messages which may be generated. The
message classes and their description is shown in the table below.
Message class Class Description

All types of messages which indicate some type of information about the
INFORMATIONAL
processing being performed.

Messages to indicate a file does not exist or an entered value is out of

WARNING
bounds. Warnings do not stop processing of a function.

Messages to indicate that processing the current function cannot continue.

ERROR
The function will return to menu control or fail and exit from a macro.

Debug messages are only displayed if this feature is turned on by using the
message options. In addition to displaying many DEBUG messages which
DEBUG would not normally be displayed the message format is unaltered. You may
be asked to use debug messages by SSI support staff to help track down
problems otherwise you will never have any need to use it.

The message window usually looks something like this :

The message window is usually located on the bottom right of the screen (for a full screen
diagram, see the Main Window page. You can resize the window by selecting the top border of
the message window and dragging it bigger and smaller. The message window remembers
many more messages than are displayed in the window, you can get to them by using the scroll
bars on the right of the window.

The number of lines the message window remembers is selectable (along with a number of other
options) by selecting the Message Options function. You can also get the Message Options
form by clicking the right mouse button while the cursor is over the message window. This form
allows you to enable logging of all messages to a file and to select the types of messages you
wish to display.

If any messages are received by the message window while you are scrolling through the
messages it will always scroll the message window so that the new message will be displayed.

Function Keys

Selected keys on the keyboard are defined so that various actions can be performed.
These keys are:

Key Name Physical Functionality

23
 Key

F2
Enter Invoke a function entered in the Command Chooser. Complete a
Apply
form.

On-line help. Press the F3 key or single click the Help button to will
F3
invoke the on-line help with the page being displayed relating to the
Help
form that is currently displayed, or the function that is currently
executing.

Esc
Cancel Cancel the current form. Escape from a selection browser.

Ctrl-c Abort the function or macro. Pushing the abort button (on the
Abort
progress feedback bar) will abort the current function

Tab Tab Advance to the next input field.

Move to the previous field, or to the previous column on the same row
BACK_TAB Shift-tab
if inside a scrolling region.

Saving, loading and clearing the default settings

The type of initial value to use for each field is remembered between sessions of Surpac by
writing the information to a file in the current profile directory when the software is exited. The
previous five values used for each field are written at the same time.

To clear changes made to the initial value settings for individual fields, select the Customise |
Field default values | Clear all user default settings menu item. The Clear User Default
Settings form is presented:

Choose Yes to clear any initial field value selections made for specific fields or choose No to
cancel the function

To load the initial value information from a selected profile at any time, select the Customise |
Field default values | Load default database menu item. The Select Profile form is presented:

24
Warning: Exiting after loading inital value settings from another profile will cause the loaded
values to be written to the current profile.

It is also possible to save the initial value information to a selected profile at any time by selecting
the Customise | Field default values | Save default database menu item. The Select Profile
form is presented:

Surpac Navigator

Apart from providing a useful way to organise your data, the Navigator is an active component
that responds to double click actions to open files of various types in file type dependant manner.

This is most easily demonstrated by example and double clicking on a string file for example (.str
extension) will load that file into a new layer in the graphics viewport.

The surpac navigator displays the document titles in

hierarchical form. If you see a closed-folder icon next to a
document name, clicking on that icon expands to show the
links contained in that document. Conversely, if you see an
open-folder icon, clicking on that icon contracts the expanded
link list.

To move around the list, use the scrollbar to move up and

down to find the file that you wish to open.

25
To open the file, right mouse click on the selected file and
choose open.

You can also drag and drop by selecting a file in the

Navigator and then dragging it to the Graphics viewport and
releasing the mouse button or by just double clicking on the
file.

26
SURPAC PRINCIPLES-STRINGS AND STRING FILES

OBJECTIVES
To learn about Surpacs graphical file types (*.str & *.dtm).
To learn the types of string files Open, Closed and Spot Heights
To understand the format and structure of a string file
To learn the principles of Surpac String Files

FILES USED
Files used in this lab exercise are found in the following folder:

C:\ STRINGS_&_DTM'S.LAB\

Data is stored within surpac as a string file. This is a sequence of three dimensional coordinates
delineating some physical feature. A string may be as small as a single point, or consist of as
many points as you wish. The size of the string file you can use depends only on the size and
speed of your computer.

Each point in a string will have a Y coordinate, an X coordinate and a Z coordinate, stored in that
order. There is no limitation to what these coordinates represent. Usually they will be northings,
eastings and elevations.

The string number is a numeric identifier of the feature represented by the string and may be in a
range of 1 to 32000. Most commonly you will number strings so you may easily identify the
purposes of the strings.

Here is an example to illustrate what Strings are:

27
There are three types of strings (open, closed and spot height) and they can be made up of any
number of segments.

Identifier of spatial feature

String 3, crest of berm
String 4, toe of berm

Segment
unique identifier for a feature
String 4, segment 5

Point
the word marker is also used
3d coord, define position of data in space

Description field
Attribute information
Unique to each point such as hole numbers,
assay values
Assigned to an open or closed segment
rather than the individual points. Examples:
grade control ore block numbers, area of
closed segment. Blast boundaries.

String Type

Open String: is a straight or curved line. If more than one open string exists with the same
number, then these are called open segments of the same string.

28
 Examples:
Survey: crest and toe pickups of Pit walls.
Floor and Back shoulders.

Geology: base of weathering profiles.

Engineering: Pit design berms, batters and

ramps.

Closed String: may be a circle, square or any irregular polygon. A closed string has the same
first and last coordinates. Where there are multiple closed strings with the same string number,
these are called closed segments of the string as shown below.

Examples:
Survey: Pillars.
Geology: ore envelopes.
Engineering: vent rise, stope
design rings.

Spot heights: is the final type of string. A spot height is a series of random points linked together
by a string number, but outlining no particular feature. These may generally represent a drillhole
or other point.

29
Use of String Kinds

In survey applications it is more common to deal with open strings which define discontinuous
features, as are found in open pits, with closed strings being used as boundary strings to
constrain a volume computation.

Engineers and geologists tend to be more involved with closed strings, such as bench crests and
toes, ore outlines etc. Such closed strings may be assigned a thickness and can therefore be
used in calculation of both areas and volumes.

String Descriptions

The ability is provided to be able to assign other `non-coordinate' information to each point in a
string. This data is called the point description. In surveying, this is usually exactly what it is, e.g.
a description or name of a control station. When dealing with closed strings, it is more usual that
the point description will contain attributes of the feature enclosed by the string, e.g. the
concentration and total salinity of a water sample.

The point description may contain sub-fields, which can be used to address individually for
various purposes. These may include:

storing assays for multiple elements, e.g. total contaminant calculations

plotting various description sub-fields for a point at different locations about the point.

The description sub-fields are referred to as D1, D2, D3 up to a maximum of D100. They may be
generally referred to as D fields.

The D fields are delimited by commas. In the following example

DESCRIPTION = ``TREE, 1.54, HOUSE''

The sub-fields have the values:
D1 = ``TREE''
D2 = ``1.54''
D3 = ``HOUSE''

The total length of the description field may not exceed 512 characters regardless of the number
of sub-fields.

String Directions

The order of the points in a string will give closed strings either a clockwise, or an anti-clockwise
direction. This direction is very important when calculating areas and volumes.

If a closed string is clockwise, it represents a positive area, which is an area of inclusion.

If a closed string is anti-clockwise, it represents a negative area, which is an area of

exclusion.

If an anticlockwise closed segment of a string is contained within a clockwise closed

segment, the combination of the two is the area between the two segments.

30
String file Structure

Each line in a string file is called a record. The first two records are called the header record and
axis record respectively. The header record contains data relating to the whole string file such as
the location code, date formed and the purpose.

The axis record contains two sets of co-ordinates identified as string number zero, defining a 3-
dimensional axis, which is used when taking sections. If no axis has been defined, this record will
hold zeros.

The rest of the records in a string file contain points on the strings, with each record having the
following structure.

string number Y X Z point descriptions

Each field is delimited by a comma. Records containing zeros in all of the first four fields indicate
the end of a segment or string. The final record in the string file is a line with a string number of
zero and END in the descriptor field.

The following example string file (pump1.str) was created using the GROUNDWATER
MODELLING module and contains the definitions of three pumping wells. The file
contains five description fields, (D1 - D5): borename, Time pump on (days), Time pump
off (days), Pumping rate (kl/d) and Pumping bore radius.

pump ,26-Mar-92,pumping wells ,

0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000
100, 28.275, -47.079, 0.000, recover1 ,0,10000000,500,0.15
100, 117.516, -93.714, 0.000, recover2 ,0,10000000,700,0.2
100, 108.160, -26.973, 0.000, recover3 ,0,10000000,500,0.15
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, END

The second string file (blocks98.str) below shows an example of a string file containing closed
segments.

31
The file was created using the GEOSTATISTICS module and contains regular blocks with a
grade calculated using an inverse distance algorithm.

blocks , 1-May-92,Grade classifications of blocks98.str ,

0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000
1, 285.000, 115.000, 98.000, 0.035,23.035
1, 295.000, 115.000, 98.000, 0.035,23.035
1, 295.000, 125.000, 98.000, 0.035,23.035
1, 285.000, 125.000, 98.000, 0.035,23.035
1, 285.000, 115.000, 98.000, 0.035,23.035
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
1, 285.000, 125.000, 98.000, 0.003,47.460
1, 295.000, 125.000, 98.000, 0.003,47.460
1, 295.000, 135.000, 98.000, 0.003,47.460
1, 285.000, 135.000, 98.000, 0.003,47.460
1, 285.000, 125.000, 98.000, 0.003,47.460
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
2, 35.000, 55.000, 98.000, 4.367,11.462
2, 45.000, 55.000, 98.000, 4.367,11.462
2, 45.000, 65.000, 98.000, 4.367,11.462
2, 35.000, 65.000, 98.000, 4.367,11.462
2, 35.000, 55.000, 98.000, 4.367,11.462
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
3, 55.000, 55.000, 98.000, 8.941,57.704
3, 65.000, 55.000, 98.000, 8.941,57.704
3, 65.000, 65.000, 98.000, 8.941,57.704
3, 55.000, 65.000, 98.000, 8.941,57.704
3, 55.000, 55.000, 98.000, 8.941,57.704
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
5, 65.000, 45.000, 98.000, 26.785,36.595
5, 75.000, 45.000, 98.000, 26.785,36.595
5, 75.000, 55.000, 98.000, 26.785,36.595
5, 65.000, 55.000, 98.000, 26.785,36.595
5, 65.000, 45.000, 98.000, 26.785,36.595
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, END

REVIEW OF STRING FILE STRUCTURE

These comma delimited files store spatial data such as:

survey pickup

engineering design

grade control ore blocks

all surpac string files have the extention .str and may be stored in Binary or ASCII format

Line 1: Header line: this can be user defined and gives information about the files.

Line 2: Axis line, this may be used to store an axis for sectioning files

Line 3 onwards: contains the spatial data, which are the points within the strings.

32
String number: any number between 1 32000
Y - Spatial planar coordinate, double precision ( typically Northing)
X - Spatial planar coordinate, double precision ( typically Easting)
Z - Spatial planar coordinate, double precision ( typically Elevation)
D1, D2,etc - Description fields

occur after z coordinate

store attribute information

eg: comment, assay value, hole depth

maximum of 100 descriptions fields

total of 512 characters including the commas

0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, - Denotes the end of a segment. Note Always use Surpacs Editing tools
to modify data when modifying segments.

Section co-ordinates

Commonly the Y, X and Z fields hold the northing, easting and elevation, but depending on how
the string file was formed, this may not be so. The following shows what co-ordinates will be
stored in the Y, X and Z for different sets of data:

33
34
It is a simple matter of swapping fields in order to change the views, or to use the axis co-
ordinates to transform the oblique section offset and distance co-ordinates into real world co-
ordinates, using the STRING MATHS.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Within the navigator, right click and edit a text file to determine its structure

35
GRAPHICS

OBJECTIVES

To become familiar with Surpac Vision and some of its fundamental functionality.
To become familiar with Surpac Visions graphical interface.
To learn to import/export data to and from AutoCAD.
To use Surpac Visions editing tools to manipulate string data.
To use Surpac Visions viewing tools to manipulate views of data.
To learn to create Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) of surfaces.

FILES USED

Files used in this lab exercise are found in the following folder:

C:\INTRODUCTION.LAB\

Overview

The GRAPHICS module provides easy to use graphical edit and design tools which allow you to
perform the following tasks:
view any string or triobject (DTM) data in a variety of styles
edit and subsequently save to the same or new file any string or triobject (DTM) data
design pits and spoil dumps using interactive graphical editing tools
design layouts of surface and underground excavations
enter new data from a digitising tablet
merge multiple files together to create a new file of composite data

Data may be displayed in many different styles some of which are:

simple lines for each of the strings
coloured polygons for closed coplanar strings
coloured triangular faces for triobjects (DTMs)

and in addition the GRAPHICS module has the ability to use multiple light sources and hidden
line removal (if required) when polygons (colour filled strings) and triobjects (DTMs) are
displayed.

Note: The GRAPHICS module is a collection of edit and design tools which work with string and
triobject (DTM) data. It is not a CAD system and the presentation of data when using GRAPHICS
is not necessarily the presentation available on hardcopy plots produced by the PLOTTING
module.

When a file has been loaded into GRAPHICS you are working on a ``copy'' of that file. Any
changes you make to the data displayed on the screen do not become permanent until you
explicitly save the data to a disk file. A disk file may be the original file or it may be a new file.

36
Viewing Data

Data is viewed in graphics either by

FILE | OPEN | STRING/DTM FILE or

BY DRAGGING AND DROPPING INTO GRAPHICS

Once a file has been loaded into graphics, it creates a new graphics layer. This file is a copy of
the file recalled into graphics therefore any changes made must be saved.

Once the file is in graphics, it can be manipulated using the:

Left mouse button to orbit

Right mouse button to roll
Centre mouse button or both to pan

example

recalling a file

Choose

FILE | OPEN | STRING/DTM FILE

Enter parameters as shown on the RECALL A FILE form displayed below

(file found in dir: training/intro)

Choose Apply or press F2.

On screen is a site plan with all features represented by strings. All data is stored as
strings. A string is a sequence of three dimensional coordinates delineating some
physical feature. Just as drawn lines in a sketch define essential features, strings define
these features for Surpac Vision. In this case the strings are showing a tailings dam,
outlines of buildings, and roads.

37
3. Once you have viewed the map, clear all data from graphics by choosing the Reset

Graphics icon.

To recall multiple files into graphics utilising layers:

Append selected file(s) into current layer

Hold down while dragging file into Graphics

Replace data in current layer with selected file(s)

Hold + down while dragging file into Graphics
No Zoom All when dragging and dropping a file.
Hold down while dragging file into Graphics

Use combinations of these keys when recalling a file into Graphics.

38
Graphics Concepts

Layers

Graphics has the ability to recall files into a layer which is identified by a user specified name.
This provides a facility similar to transparent overlays when doing drafting. The data from various
layers can be seen together but only the data on the top layer - the active layer can be changed.
The active layer can be changed and data can be copied from any layer into the active layer.

39
This example shows two files have been recalled into Graphics.

While many files can be recalled in to Graphics Layers, only one Layer is editable at a time. The
layer shown in the Layer Manager pick box is the editable layer and is called the Active Layer.
The Layer Manager can control properties of all Graphics layers.

or click on the icon to bring up the following form:

40
Multiple viewports

It is possible to view more than one set of data at once and also to display the same data
rendered in different ways or from different viewing positions by making use of multiple viewports.
Initially GRAPHICS starts with a single viewport but by using buttons on the viewport title bar it is
possible to make copies of the current viewport.

41
When the same layer is visible in two separate viewports it is drawn the same, that is with the
same colours and styles, however the viewing parameters (viewing position, viewing type, face
visibility, etc) can be different between the two viewports. To view the same data with different
drawing parameters (e.g. some strings drawn as markers in one viewport but polylines in the
other) you simply need to load the same file into two different layers and make the appropriate
layer visible in the appropriate viewport.

When more than one viewport is displayed only one will be considered the active viewport and it
is that viewport which needs to be used for selecting or digitising points. It is not possible to select
points in non-active viewports. To change a viewport to be the active viewport simply use the
mouse to click in the viewport, or on the viewport title bar. A highlighted menu bar indicates the
currently active viewport.

All interactions with the viewports are achieved via the viewport icons along the title bar at the top
of the screen. The effects of these icons are:

Solid diamond - creates a copy of the viewport with the same layers and settings.
Solid downward triangle - splits the viewport in half horizontally.
Solid rightward triangle - splits the viewport in half vertically.
Open downward triangle - close the viewport to an icon.
Open square - Maximise the viewport (that is, make it take up the whole region for
viewports), or if it is already maximised return the viewport to its previous size and
position.
Crossed square - destroy the viewport. If only one viewport remains then it cannot be
destroyed.

Dragging the title bar allows you to move viewports and a resize icon in each corner allows the
viewport to be resized. The view bar along the bottom of the viewport area works in a similar to
the task bar in Windows 95 and allows a quick means of selecting the active view or opening a
closed viewport.

Whenever the "Function:" prompt is displayed it is possible to modify how the scene in any
viewport is seen by using the mouse. This provides a simple means to rotate (left mouse button),
roll (right mouse button), or dolly (middle mouse button, or left and right mouse buttons together
on two button mice) by simply clicking and dragging the mouse in the viewport.

Current working directory

The current working directory is the directory path set within surpac to which all subsequent files
are saved. This directory is displayed in the uppermost title bar of the SURPAC Vision window.

42
 To change the current working directory,
simply locate the new directory within the
surpac navigator and right click choosing
set as new working directory.

Any time the current working directory is

changed its status item in the title bar is
updated.

Point Selection

GRAPHICS determines which point is selected when performing graphical selection operations.
The selection method is based on the following:
proximity to the piece of geometry, and
proximity to the point within the selected geometry.

The term geometry in this context refers to something which has been drawn on the screen and is
selectable, this includes:
lines
polygons
triangles
markers

The selection method for lines, polygons and markers means that you unambiguously select a
point on a particular line by positioning the pointer near to the line and in such a position that it is
closer to the point of interest on that line than any other point on that line. This is particularly
useful when two or more lines have points with the same X, Y and Z values.

Special event handling during point select, point digitise and triangle select operations.

During these operations the system will respond to two special types of events which often prove
quite useful during graphics editing or design work. These are:
ASSIST events. The ASSIST event is generated by pressing the ASSIST button,
generally F11, to invoke the Viewer. This is very useful as it permits you to modify the
view by windowing in or out or by rotating the view to suit your needs. On exiting from the
Viewer, the point select, point digitise or triangle select operation is still active.
Viewport Manager events. Each Viewport has a number of active icons to permit the
viewport to be modified in some way. The move and resize icons on the viewport which is
active at the time of the point select, point digitise or triangle select operation may be
used to move or resize the active viewport. This is useful if the viewport is too small or if
the viewport is partially obscured. If another viewport is selected then the point selection
operation is cancelled.

Point Modes
Many of the GRAPHICS functions have three possible results determined by the current point
mode.

43
The point may be one of:

New points are added to the end of the last segment of the DESIGN String. The
MODE Add DESIGN String is the current string being used in the design process. MODE Add is
the default mode.

MODE
The selected point or segment is changed to a new location.
Change

MODE The new point or segment is inserted into the selected string at the point indicated by
Insert the user.

The point mode is selected by choosing Add, Change or Insert from the file chooser. The point
mode invoked is the current point mode until another point mode is selected. The default mode is
MODE Add.

Undo

SSI software uses an efficient storage structure to minimise the amount of memory used for
storing previous versions of the graphics layer. Only a small amount of extra memory will be used
when the operation makes minor changes to a layer, for example, retaining undo information
about deleting a point does not use much memory since the before and after versions are almost
identical. However, substantial memory may be used if the layer is changed completely, for
example, undo information for recalling a file requires memory to store the previous version as
well as the current version since no part of the layer is shared between the before and after
versions.

To prevent excessive memory being used for previous versions the number of undo versions, i.e.
the number of operations for which undo information can be kept at a time is limited and is set by
the user default "maximum undo operations" (in the defaults.ssi file) or can be modified by Undo
Setup. To further reduce memory when using Recall File, all undo information except for the
immediately preceeding version, is destroyed. The user default ``clear undo on recall file'' may be
set to ``off'' to ensure that edit operations before the recall file operation can be undone.

Undo functionality can be turned on or off using Undo Off or Undo On. The undo parameters can
be modified via Undo Setup and the current undo history can be purged using Undo Clear.

Note: Operations on layers which contain DTMs or 3DMs cannot be undone with the current
release of the software. This limitation is likely to be removed in a future release.

Note: When operations are undone or redone sometimes strings, segments, or points will not be
redrawn in exactly the same manner as in the original version. This is particularly noticeable
when a deleted entity is redrawn when the delete is undone.

44
Graphics Display Menu
The Display menu allows you to nominate how to display your data on screen
Use the toolbar.

or the Pull down menu to Display and Hide String and DTM data in Graphics.

Remember: Hiding or Erasing data is not editing. If Data is not displayed, it can still be saved to
a file.

When using Autoplot, Erased strings will not be plotted.

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Attributes Styles Files

Styles files are used to tell Surpac how to display String and DTM data and can be changed to
suit your needs. The default styles file is called styles.ssi. Styles files let the user specify the
following attributes:
a label for the style for legend purposes
drawing method - i.e. lines, markers, attribute values, etc.
line colour
line thickness
line pattern
face colour
specular reflectance colour - the colour of the shiny spots
transmission colour for transparency effects
gloss effects - the size of the shiny spots
face pattern
edge colour
edge thickness
edge pattern
text colour
marker symbol
marker size
text characteristics, font, size, slant and path

Every time a String file is saved the current styles file is associated with it so that every time its
opened it uses that styles file automatically. If that styles file is not found it uses the default
styles.ssi.

You can change the styles file within

file | display properties | strings and points

To change and save string styles.

1. Reset Graphics by selecting the icon.

2. Choose Recall File or select the recall file icon .

Enter the parameters as shown below and choose Apply

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 (file found in training/intro)

3. Choose Display -- Strings -- With string numbers.

4. Choose Display -- Strings -- With colour fill to display the face pattern and colours and apply
the blank form.

5. Choose Customise -- Display properties -- Strings and points, (alias = sss)

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 The Display properties menu contains a series of functions that allow you to change how
string and DTM files are displayed on screen
The displayed form will show information on the drawing styles and the use of scroll bars
to examine line types etc., similar to the form displayed below.

6. Change the parameters as shown below.

7. Apply the form when you have entered your parameters.

8. Choose Display -- Strings and draw only string 1.
9. Choose Display -- Strings -- With colour fill (alias = pp) and draw the fill pattern for string 2.
10. Choose Display -- Strings -- Using styles (alias = dss) to display the screen while applying the
current styles to the selected layer
Try changing the styles for Strings 1 and 2 using different line types and marker sizes.
Saving the drawing styles to a file is very simple, either save when applying the styles
form or:

11. Choose the Customise -- Display properties -- Save menu item and apply the form as shown.

The results are stored in the file `draw.ssi'.

12. Save the file ore105.str

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 Note that the file is now associated with the styles file `draw.ssi'. This means that when
the file is next recalled the styles file will be loaded also. In this way it is possible to have
a collection of styles files suitable for a range of display purposes.

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Graphics Inquire Menu

This menu provides many functions for quickly and easily finding information about the data
displayed on screen. Most inquiry functions echo the results of the inquiry to your message
window. The exceptions are the Setout, Grade Line and Chg & Offset functions. These functions
produce hard copy setout notes for surveyors. The use of these functions will not be covered by
this manual.

Use the toolbar

Or the Pull Down Menu

Point properties returns point attribute information, string, segment and point
number, y,x,z coord, description fields

Segment properties returns segment information, open or closed, area, length

properties

Bearing and distance Gradient reported controlled by design gradient method. Change
to report angle, ratio or percentage.

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Graphics Edit Menu
Use the Toolbar

or the Pull Down Menu

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The editing menu provides many tools for making permanent changes to your data. You would
edit string files for many reasons including
o To modify string files to suit your needs
o To modify survey pick ups
o To create new string files

The Edit menu has four distinct parts.

Layer Editing
All data within the active layer is affected.

String Editing
All points on all segments of the selected string(s) are affected by the function chosen.

Segment Editing
All points on a selected segment will be affected by the function chosen.

Point Editing
Only the selected point is affected by the function chosen.

Once you have edited data, the changes you have made may be permanent although there
is an undo command. However, your original file is not altered, so you may Recall this
original file if you make a mistake. Because these changes are permanent it is a good idea to
continually save any changes you make. It is good practice to save your edited work to a new
file name instead of changing the original file.

Edit Layers

The Edit | Layers menu contains some very useful features of Surpac Vision i.e. the ability to use
and manipulate data in multiple layers.

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You may view several files at one time in Graphics by nominating to append the files as you recall
them. This can be cumbersome if, for example, you wish to edit only one of the files. By making
use of layers you may view the files together but still keep them separate.

To delete a layer in graphics, use the edit | layer | delete function. This allows you to delete a
specified layer and all data in that layer from memory. If the data in the layer has been modified
you will be warned and given the opportunity to cancel the function or to continue with the
deletion.

Note that the active layer in graphics cannot be deleted, to delete all layers, use the edit | layer |
delete all function. This function will delete all layers removing all data and layer settings. A new
main graphics layer with default values is created. This new layer will be active in all viewports.

File Menu

The File menu contains functions for loading and saving string files and DTM files.

You will use the Save File function most commonly, to save DTM and string files. However you
can also capture screen images using the Postscript and GIF or PNG Dump functions.

Saving A File

There are two ways to save a file, firstly using the

1. Choose File -- Save -- String/DTM file (alias SV).

2. Complete the form as shown below and choose Apply.

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 Notice that as you save a file you can nominate to store a description of the file purpose.
This description will show in the header line.

The other method is using the save file icon, this function saves the contents of the active layer to
a file. The file which is created may be the same file from which the data was recalled or it may
be a new file.

Strings will be saved to a string or observation file exactly as they exist in the graphics layer.

The string file header includes the name of the drawing styles file that is used to define how the
string data is to be drawn on the screen. During the course of a Graphics session it is possible
that you may make changes to these drawing styles. If this is so, the SAVE FILE function will
automatically save the styles file so that the changes are recorded for future reference.

If the STYLES LOAD or STYLES UNLOAD functions are used during the course of a graphics
session and the name of the styles file associated with a graphics layer is changed, it is the new
styles file name that is subsequently recorded with the string file after using the SAVE FILE
function.

Choose Save File from the GRAPHICS FILE menu to display the UNLOAD STRINGS TO A
FILE form.

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ASSIGNMENT

1. Different ways to open data in graphics

2. How to use the navigator right click popup menu and its functions
3. Save Files Demonstrate the two commands for saving files save file and save
file as
4. Using the plug-ins, drag and drop the topo1.dxf file into graphics
5. Import the AutoCAD file topo1.dxf to a string file.
6. Using the convert function, convert the file topo1.str to a autocad .dwg file
7. Learn the different range of functions available from the inquire menu
8. Fix the file lev100.str by editing all errors in the string data. The things you should
look for are:
a. Discontinuous segments along the outside wall.
b. Direction or sense of all segments.
c. Closure of all segments.

Use the String, Segment, & Point editing functions to modify all errors in the string file.

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USEFUL TOOLBAR ICONS
Change Directory
Open String/DTM File
Save String/DTM File
Autoplot
Reset Graphics
Undo
Redo
Window In
Window Out
Zoom In
Zoom Out
Zoom All
Centre of Rotation
Plan View
Sectional View
Longitudinal View
Lights On
Lights Off
Hide On
Faces On
Edges On
Render
2D grid
3D grid

Digitize at Cursor Location

Close Digitized Segment
Digitize at Selected Point
Play Macro
Start/Stop Record Macro

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PROCEDURE

1. To open data in graphics

There are at least four ways to open data into the graphics workspace
drag and drop from the navigator
right click in the navigator and select the "open" popup menu item
select the open file icon
choose the "FileOpen" menu item (alias=RF)

a) Using the drag and drop function from the navigator, clear graphics and then drag the file
ore1.dtm into the graphics workspace. Note that a layer is created of the same name as the file.

b) Clear graphics again and repeat the operation by selecting the file required in the
navigator right click and select open from the popup menu.

c) Clear graphics again and repeat the operation by using the open file icon and then
completing the form below.

d) Clear graphics again and repeat the operation by using the FILE OPEN | STRING/
DTM FILE and selecting the ore1.dtm file

2. Use the navigator right click popup menu to check the following features:
cut/copy paste of files between folders
file and folder deletion to the recycle bin
execution of files with their associated programs
editing with the named text editor (as defined in default settings) file properties reporting
to the message window

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3. Save Files - Demonstrate the two commands for saving files "save file" and "save
file as"

a) Open any file or group of files into a graphics layer and choose the "File Save
String/DTM" menu item.

b) Open any file or group of files into a graphics layer and choose the "File Save
As" menu item or by selecting the save as icon

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Note that it is possible here to select a different plugin from the file browser form as shown. The
default file plugin will be that which was last loaded into the active layer.

Note that both the plugin type and where relevant, the plugin extension are selectable. Future
enhancements will also allow extra functionality on a plugin by plugin basis to save style
information, constrained data and other metadata.

4. Using the plug-ins, drag and drop the topo1.dxf file into graphics

The plug-ins included with the first release of version 5.0 include
Autocad .DWG and .DXF
ArcInfo shape files
Datamine .ASC and .DM
Gemcom
Medsystem
Microstation
Vulcan

Plugins are tools used to read and save file types from different proprietors. All plugins are
handled by a Plugin Manager, which selects the appropriate plugin for manipulating specific data
formats.

The plugin manager is used by the File Browser and Drag and Drop features, whereby the user
need only select the file name and extension to work with and the relevant plugin is automatically
selected for them. The combinations of these tools and technologies enable the user to easily
work with data without being concerned about specific settings and configurations for particular
file types.

Note that the file remains in the original file format when opened and there is no need to convert
the file to a surpac format.

a) Drag and drop the file topo1.dxf into graphics and view the file

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5. Import the AutoCAD file topo1.dxf to a string file.

Make sure your current working directory is C:\INTRODUCTION.LAB\. You can check this in
the Navigator. The current working directory appears in bold lettering and has a check mark
beside it. To make this your current working directory, simply right-hand click on the folder
(C:\INTRODUCTION.LAB\) and choose Set as working directory from the context menu.

a) From the File menu choose Import, DXF file to a string/DTM file.
b) Fill the subsequent form as follows:

c) Click Apply to run the function. When the function is finished it will state the
results of the function in the message window.

6. Using the convert function, convert the file topo1.str to an autocad .dwg file

a) Select the "FileConvert" ( alias = convert files or CONV ) and select the files
fault1.dtm, ore1.dtm and pit1.dtm and select open

Note importantly that multiple files may be selected from the file browser form.

b) Select the file output method and the extension required and press apply

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 c) The selected files are concatenated with semicolons as separators and the files
are created and the message window is used to indicate if the operation is successful.

Message window output

File fault1.dtm converted to fault1.dwg successfully

File layout2.dtm converted to layout2.dwg successfully
File ore1.dtm converted to ore1.dwg successfully

Another method used to select and convert files is via the navigator.
1. In the navigator, click on one file name, then use CTRL-click or SHIFT-click to select
multiple files

2. Right click on one of the highlighted files, then select "Convert File(s)"

7. To demonstrate the range of functions available from the Inquire Menu

a) Open the file pit1.str into graphics

b) Try using the following functions:

Bearing & Distance between two points (Brg & Dist) (alias BD) (Inquire | bearing and
distance between 2 points)
Point properties (alias IP) (Inquire | Point Properties)
Segment properties (alias ID Seg) (Inquire | Segment Properties)
The graphics dialogue prompts will guide you on how to use these functions. The
report window displays the results of your inquiry

8. Fix the file lev100.str by editing all errors in the string data.
a. Open the file lev100.str by clicking and dragging it from the Navigator into the
viewport.

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b. From the toolbar choose the button to display the point markers, and apply
the subsequent form.
c. From the Display menu choose Strings, With string and segment numbers to
display the numbers at the first point in each segment.
d. At A (see diagram) use Edit, Segment, Join to join the end of segment 1.1 to the
beginning of segment 1.2. Remember to check your dialogue prompts!!
e. At B use Edit, Segment, Close to close this segment
f. Window In at C using the button.
g. Use Display, Point, Numbers to view the numbers of each point.

h. Use Edit, Segment, Break after point, and choose to break after point number 12.
Please note that the point numbers will change when editing the points (deleting

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 & inserting). They point numbers referred to in this procedure pertain to the
diagram above.
i. Use Edit, Point, Move to move point 81 out of the drift, close to point number 12.
j. Use Edit, Segment, Join to join point 12 to 81.
k. Note the point numbers have disappeared. This happens because we have
changed the order of the point numbers by joining segments.
l. Use Display, Point, Numbers to re-display the numbers.

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ADVANCED EDITING TOOLS

Digitising
A common way of inputing data into Surpac is to digitize. You may use the mouse or a digitizing
tablet for digitizing data. The digitising functions located on the main toolbar are:

Change Digitizer point attributes

Digitize at Cursor Location
Digitize at Selected Point
Close Digitized Segment
Start a New Segment
Digitize by Following Segment
Digitize Midpoint

All the digitizing functions are found in the CREATE, DIGITIZE menu. The elevation of any
current digitizing may be defined in CREATE, DIGITIZE, PROPERTIES or by using the
button. Any digitizing you do can always be edited using the Editing functions learned in the
previous lab.

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Editing Conventions
Only points in the Active layer can be edited.

Join: Joins the end of the first selected segment to the start of the second selected
segment. (Display strings with string numbers, Surpac always displays the string number
at the start of each segment.)

Close: Joins the end of the segments back to its start.

Break after a point: The selected segment is broken into two segments.

When clicking on a line between two points to break, Surpac snaps to the nearest point in
the line and breaks after that point.
If the mouse snaps to point 26, the segment will break between points 26
and 27.
If the mouse snaps to point 27, the segment will break between points 27
and 28.

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Properties
String #
Enter the string number to be digitised. This can
be changed at any time during the digitising
process.

Z
Enter the Z value to apply to the digitised points.

Desc

Enter the description value to apply to the

digitised points.

Digitise New Point at Mouse Location

Position the pointer using the mouse and select a point.

New Midpoint

This function permits new points to be created by selecting two existing points and then creating
the new point halfway between these two selected points. This is useful when interpolating
geological zones from drilling data when the drillholes are displayed in Graphics.

The new point will be appended to the end of the digitiser string.

Choose New Midpoint to display the prompt:

Select the first point with the mouse

Position the pointer using the mouse and select the first point to be used in interpolating the new
point. The following prompt will then be displayed:
Select the second point with the mouse
Position the pointer using the mouse and select the second point to be used in interpolating the
new point.

Snap Mode and Digitising

Snap Mode has an influence on the digitise function. With snap mode off, the X and Y values are
determined at the cursor location. The Z value is either the Z value entered when entering the
digitiser string attributes, or the Z value of a point previously selected.

With snap mode set to point, the start and end points will be snapped to existing points on the
existing segment.

This function is especially useful for digitising segments with common boundaries such as
specifying low and high grade regions.

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By Following a segment

This function from the GRAPHICS DIGITISER menu to copy part of another segment on the
screen using the mouse. The portion of the segment will be copied to the end of the digitiser
string.

Start Next String

This function Choose Next String from the GRAPHICS DIGITISER menu to increment the
digitiser string number by 1.

Start New String

This enters a new string number for the digitiser session.

Start/End New Segment

This function ends the current segment of the digitiser segment so that a new segment may be
started with the next point.

The current segment of the digitiser string is ended.

Close Current Segment

This function closes the current segment of the digitiser segment to its start point.

The current segment of the digitiser string is closed and the screen is updated accordingly.

Delete Last Point

Self explanatory, deletes the last point from the current segment of the digitiser string. Repeated
use of this function will continue to delete the last point in the current segment of the design string
until there are no more points in the current segment of the design string. Further use of this
function will then have no effect.

Reactivate Segment

Generally the digitiser points are appended to the last segment of the digitiser string number. This
function permits you to select a previously digitised segment, in the current layer, to which
digitiser points are to be appended.

The newly selected segment will have the circle marker, which represents the last digitised point
drawn around the end point of the segment. The digitiser segment is `remembered' for use by the
other digitiser functions.

Example

The following demonstrates the use of layers whilst digitising.

1. Choose File | Open | String/DTM file.

Select the ore105.str (found in training/intro)

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 The Layer area allows you to recall the data into a layer with a user specified name. This
has the same effect as using transparent overlays when drafting. Previously you have
recalled files into the default layer, main graphics layer. The layer name may be any
name you wish and is only relevant whilst you remain in Graphics.

The shapes on screen represent ore blocks. For the purpose of this exercise you will be
digitising in a pit boundary. Don't worry too much about how your pit boundary looks! It is
only important that you understand the use of layers.

2. Choose Edit | Layer.

3. Choose New Layer. As shown below, enter the name for the layer that you will be digitising the
pit outline in and choose Apply.

Notice that the Layer Status combobox is updated to reflect your active layer. You may
have a large number layers, but only one layer is active at a time i.e. able to be edited.
You may change the active layer at any time by using the Select Layer or layer functions
(alias L). The layer function allows you to make layers visible, selectable or active.
Another slightly simpler method of quickly creating or selecting the active layer is with the
layer chooser combo box as shown:

4. Choose Create | Digitise | Properties

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Start new string and enter the parameters as shown below and choose Apply.

5. Select View | Zoom | All

To zoom out

6. Choose Create -- Digitise -- New point at mouse location.

Your graphical prompt will indicate to start digitising. Digitise a shape that is similar to the
one shown next, by pointing and clicking with your mouse.
Remember for this exercise the shape doesn't have to be exact!!

7. Choose Create -- Digitise -- Close current segment when you wish to finish digitising.
You don't have to re-digitise the first point.

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8. Choose Save File and enter the parameters as shown below.

9. Choose Edit | Layer | Delete and delete the layer `ORE'.

Note that since you deleted the layer ORE this layer no longer exists.

10. Choose Edit | Layer | Clear and clear the layer `OUTLINE'.
11. Choose Recall File and recall the file `OUT100.STR'.
Note that only your digitised outline was saved to the file and not the ore blocks as these
were in separate layers.

An important new feature with regards to digitising is the ability to use the design string

button to set the digitiser string number and also the ability to digitise, select

points and close segments using the following icons .

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ASSIGNMENT

1. Use the digitizing functions to finish the topography in the file contours2.str. There are
several contours missing from the 219 elevation to the 243 elevation every 3m. The
completed file should look similar to the following diagram.

Use the function to digitize several contour lines in the Northwest corner of the
topography. You may use the function to select the appropriate elevation of the
digitized segments. Save & submit this file.
2. For the file topo1.str, modify the styles file so that the lines and the elevation are
displayed every 200m.
3. For the file topo1.str, modify the styles file so that the data are displayed as markers
(points).

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PROCEDURE

1. Use the digitizing functions to finish the topography

a. Load the file contours2.str into graphics and choose the button from the
toolbar or select the CREATE | DIGITISE | PROPERTIES function from the
pulldown menu to specify the properties for the digitizing. Fill the form as follows:

This will initialize the digitizing so that youre creating points in string #1 at elevation
219.

b. Choose the button from the toolbar to digitize a point at the cursor location,
or from the pulldown menus select CREATE | DIGITISE | NEW POINT AT
MOUSE LOCATION. The prompting message should ask you to digitize a point
using the mouse. Click to digitize a mouse at approximately the location
indicated in the following diagram:

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 Digitize first point here.

c. Once the first point is digitized, keep clicking to add new points. Follow the
general trend of the lower contour line (5580). The data should look
approximately as follows:

New digitized segment.

d. Repeat steps a to c, incrementing the digitizing elevation by 3m until you reach

the 243 elevation. Selecting the will erase the temporary markers during
digitizing.

2. For the file contours2.str, modify the styles file so that the lines and the elevation
are displayed every 200m.

a. From the CUSTOMIZE menu choose Display Properties, Strings and points.
b. Fill the subsequent form as follows: (select the line,z/200/5 drawing method)

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This should give the following result:

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