
Importing a block model from a csv file
Hi all,
This is my first attempt at importing a block model in Micromine. I am using Micromine 14.0.6.
I have a csv file with Easting, Northing, Elevation, Grade columns information. I have the info about the block model dimensions but it is not in the csv file and my assumption was that I would be able to enter this info after importing.
First I imported the csv file as a .dat file through File/Import/Text. Then through the Vizex Forms/Block Model dialogue form I specify the .dat file under "Block Model file", that it is a dat file, and specify the East, North and Z fields. When I click ok I receive an error:
Missing dimension fields
File: xxxxx.dat
Field: _Easting
Field: _Northing
Field: _Elevation
Does this mean I require info in my dat file that specifies what the dimensions of the block model are in each direction? If so, what format should this information be in?
Thank you for your assistance,
Yuliana
Customer support service by UserEcho
Hello, Yuliana
In any software, where block model represented as set of parallepipeds, for each block always specified it's dimensions. In MM this fields named as coordinate fields with prefix "_". Without this field software don't know how large is block and can't load it or calculate reports (but still can be loaded as points).
Search for this fields in initial file (you will see this field by values in content, by names). If model is factored, so block dimensions are same in one direction. If model are subblocked - then here different dimensions for each block.
Yuliana,
If your block model is a regular block model (ie all of the block dimension are the the same for that dimension) it is easy to add additional fields in Micromine (File | Modify) and to populate those with the appropriate values. If your dimensions fields are East, North and Elevation add three fields _East, _North and _Elevation. When you add the fields you can specify a default value, say 10 for _East, 25 for _North and 5 for _Elevation then your model will have blocks of 10 x 25 x 5. If you have an irregular model (because the blocks in the original model have been sub-blocked you will need to have this dimension information in the original csv.
If the model is from a third party that gave you too little information to construct the model on import an easy trick is to load it as points (Watch out for large models, I would load with a filter Au>1 etc, to avoid a crash) to inspect the model before adding the size information.
From the points you can see if it is rotated, sub-blocked, or regular, and measure the block size. Also if you happen to just be viewing the block model points may get you along way, as "view blocks as centroids" is one of the view options! Of course without the size info no block model functions will work like tonnage calcs and assigns.
After you have determined the model is fixed size, go to modify file and insert the "_" fields and fill in the "start" with the block size and "increment" with 0, the 0 fills all records with 10(insert your size). As shown.
If rotated do the step above then Modelling>Block Model Tools>Convert Imported Data to Block Model. FYI the form says you can overwrite the import but I don't think it actually works.
Thanks everyone, shortly after I posted it became clear that I just simply had to add the dimension fields as columns and specify the block model dimensions and it worked. I meant to delete my question but I will leave it up in case anyone else has this problem, thanks for all the responses!