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New Features in PA 9.0 |
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Pitney Bowes Business Insight (Natural Resources) is proud to announce the release of Encom PA 9.0, which has many new features, improvements and fixes. The new release includes improved handling of large datasets and grids and an emphasis on simplifying functionality and data management.
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| Large Grid Support |
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This version of Encom PA shows an expansion of Encom PA’s data access capabilities by adding import and visualisation support for very large grids (10GB+). The redesigned grid handling engine in Encom PA 9.0 can now access grid files of virtually unlimited size, such as continental SRTM data. |
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| This image shows the detail of a
large SRTM grid when zoomed in. |
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| Grid Tiler Tool |
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Large grid files can now be cut into smaller tiles prior to opening in Encom PA, thereby allowing them to be efficiently processed by the various Grid Utility and Grid Filter manipulation tools. |
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| PA 9.0 Grid Tiler Tool |
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| Grid Clip Tool |
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Clip grids to user-defined limits for more efficient handling and processing of very large grids. This utility is in addition to the Clip Grid option available in the Grid Utility plug-in for standard grid files (500MB or less). |
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| Grid Statistics Tool |
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This utility allows the computation
of grid statistics for a large grid file
being opened in Encom PA. When a
large grid is first opened, a summary
statistics file (.GHX) is automatically
created allowing Encom PA to handle
larger grids efficiently, and also improve
the speed of grid visualisation. The
automatically created .GHX file calculates
the summary statistics for a specified
percentage of the grid file (as set under
Gridding>Grid Handler Preferences). |
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| CDI Threshold Transparency |
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It is now possible to apply a threshold transparency to Section Profile CDI displays. Use the two slider bars to cull the data range. The data excluded from this data range becomes 100% transparent. |
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| CDI Threshold Transparency |
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| TrackMap |
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The TrackMap utility used for displaying raster images on profile displays now supports ER Mapper .ECW images. Trackmap can therefore display more detailed raster imagery. |
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| View in 3D |
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A new pop-up menu converting profiles or map displays to a Located Image series (.EGB) has been implemented to allow the efficient conversion of 2D displays to 3D as illustrated in the image shown. The View in 3D option can be selected from the pop-up menu accessed by right mouse clicking on the Profile 1 or Map 1 branch in the workspace tree or in the display itself. This option can be used with the following display types: drillhole log plots, section profile displays and 2D map displays. |
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| 2D Profiles Converted to 3D |
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| Located Image Intersections |
It is now possible in section profile displays while showing a model as a Located Image object (.TKM, .DXF, etc) to view the intersection of the model with the current line. The intersection is added as a new group to the series allowing users to edit the rendering properties of the intersections.
This feature is used to display the
intersection of ModelVision model files
(TKM), UBC isosurfaces (DXF), and mine
plan models in any supported format. |
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| Solid Generator |
Input polylines and polygons, with sparse or irregularly distributed nodes, can be refined (i.e. extra nodes automatically added) to produce output solid models with smoother faces.
Output solid models can now also be saved to a Feature Database. You can then use the new feature editing functions to combine, erase, and intersect one solid with another. |
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| Polyhedron Editing |
Solid models/objects created with the Solid Generator or the Extrusion Wizard (or otherwise imported into Encom PA) can now be modified with a range of powerful new feature editing tools. For example, the volume of an ore body between an upper unconformity surface and a semivertical fault plane can be calculated and visualized with the new Erase tool, as illustrated with the image on the right.
This functionality is enhanced by the new ability to import gridded surfaces (e.g. topographic/DEM models) as feature objects.
As well as using the Erase tool it is now also possible to:
- Combine two polyhedrons or surfaces into a single solid.
- Compute the Intersection between two polyhedrons or surfaces
- Cut a polyhedron or a surface into multiple parts using another surface with the Erase tool.
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| Snap-To Utility |
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Digitizing geological and geochemical
interpretations in Encom PA is now
much more accurate. With the ability to
snap feature object nodes to existing
Drillhole intervals, Points and Lines, the
precise delineation of mineralisation
or target can be achieved. |
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| Application Improvements |
New full colour 3D stereo projection output, allowing the creation of an immersive 3D visualisation room. When in a 3D display, click on Ctrl +F12 to display the Stereo Display controls.
Encom PA now uses the Microsoft .NET application look, giving the interface a fresh appearance. Previous application themes are also available e.g. Windows XP, Office 2007, etc. The application look can be changed by the user from the View menu.
The Workspace tree, Data Manager window and Information Sheet (iHelp, Data sheet and Explorer) now have options to Auto Hide and change position. The corresponding toolbar buttons have been removed and so these tools can be opened by right mouse clicking on the toolbar area of the Encom PA interface. |
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| Import Grids and Vector Files |
It is now possible to import a grid surface or 3D Vector file to a feature database. Other than visualisation, this can also be used as the cutting surface for the new Erase Polyhedron Editing function. An imported grid surface or vector files becomes a feature object whose vertices can be edited and the overall surface or model reshaped.
The Topology Checker is now used while importing a 3D vector file to check the integrity of a model prior to import into a Feature Database. |
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| 3D Ruler Tool |
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A new 3D Ruler tool allows the
measurement of distances,,bearings
and inclinations between objects
in the Cursor Plane. |
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| Intuitive Fly-Through Navigation |
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Smooth and intuitive fly-through style
navigation is now possible in Encom
PA with support for the 3D Connexion
SpaceNavigatorTM controller. This device
allows you to change the current view
(zoom & pan) while creating or editing a
selected object without exiting edit mode.
to output DXF RGB values with them
giving a larger variety of colouring. |
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| New 3D View Modes |
The user can now choose between two 3D view modes while working with a 3D display:
- A new Orthographic view mode allows the accurate comparison of object sizes without the distance bias apparent in Perspective mode (default mode)
- A new Perpendicular view mode automatically orientates the view perpendicular to the cursor plane, a very useful ability to help with accurate digitizing.
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| Voxel Models |
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An Arbitrary Slice Angle can be specified from the Slices tab of Voxel Model Properties. This allows the user to view a single slice at any azimuth and dip angle. A configuration dialog shows a preview of the model before applying the parameters to the full model. |
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| Points and Lines: Data Conditioning |
Data Conditioning controls for access to the Field data Conditioner have been added to many parameters, allowing data filtering (e.g. display only points with azimuths between 45 and 110 degrees) and null handling.
New Rotational controls for Point data (Bearing, Inclination and Tilt) have been implemented.
Significant performance improvements have also been made to the 3D visualisation of point and line data. |
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| Thickness Modulation |
The thickness modulation parameter for drillholes has been improved to clearly and concisely visualize downhole assay or geophysical data by modulating the drillhole thickness with custom legends.
Thickness modulations options include:
- By default (min/max values)
- By Legend (loaded legend file)
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| Improved Drillhole Planner |
Replacing the Drillhole Creator utility from version 8.0, the Drillhole Planner allows the user to dynamically create and visualise proposed drillholes, targeting mineralisation (e.g. grade shell isosurfaces) in a 3D display.
These holes can be interactively refined to accurately and thoroughly intercept target zones, utilise existing drill pads, wedge off parent holes and/or mirror local ground conditions by utilising downhole deviation data from existing drilling.
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| Transform Vector File |
Now with a range of advanced features, plus support for:
- Multi-part polygons in ESRI shape files
- ER Mapper vector files (.ERV)
- GPS eXchange files (.GPX)
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| Legend Editor |
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Using the Legend Editor you can automatically populate the ‘From’ value of the next data range from the previous range’s ‘To’ value. The Legend Editor now also supports line thickness values for custom drillhole thickness modulation. |
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