RockWorks

RockWorks17 should install, license, and run properly in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. It is available with both 64-bit and 32-bit versions. The 64-bit version supports larger models and faster processing, and requires a 64-bit version of Windows.

Minimum requirements:

• Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10
• Both 32-bit and 64-bit Operating Systems supported
• RockWorks License Manager for Network licenses requires Windows Server 2003 or higher
• 2 GB of RAM (2+ recommended)
• 1.4 GHz or faster CPU
• Plenty of free disk space
• Read/write privileges to a %Userprofile%My Documents directory
• Display set to GREATER than 800 x 600 pixels
• The EarthApps and Google Earth exports require installation of Google™ Earth, available from Google.

You'll have better results with more RAM, a faster processor, and enhanced video (graphics card with dedicated RAM) for modeling and 3D display.

See our detailed FAQ page for more frequently-asked questions regarding RockWorks.

RockWorks17 is offered with the following license types:

• A Single license can be installed onto a single computer. It is activated with a code specific to that computer, issued by RockWare. The license can be transferred to a new computer or different user by following the transfer instructions listed below on this FAQ page. This license can be upgraded to a different license type or feature level by paying the difference in price.
• An Annual license can be installed onto a single computer. It is activated with a code specific to that computer, issued by RockWare and valid for 1 year. When the year is completed, the software reverts to “free” mode. The license can be renewed by paying the Annual fee again at the current pricing.  The license can be transferred to a new computer or different user by following the transfer instructions listed below on this FAQ page. This license cannot be upgraded to a different license type or feature level within the license year.
• A Network license is a shared license type. Any potential user may install RockWorks on their local computer. A separate License Manager program is installed on a server or other network computer and activated for X number of concurrent users. When a person launches RockWorks on their local machine, it looks to the License Manager to see if a seat is available and, if so, it will start. The License Manager can be configured to permit users to borrow a license when not connected to the network (e.g. in the field) for up to 60 days. Multiple seats must be at the same feature level. Additional seats can be added by paying the difference in price.
• A Classroom license is offered to academic institutions at a highly discounted price and is a bundled license, comprised of a Single license (typically for the instructor) and a Network license (for the lab).

RockWorks17 is also available with more feature levels so that you can purchase just the tools you need. Please visit our Feature Levels page for more information.

All three levels include the Utilities portion of the program: the row-and-column datasheet and all of its tools for mapping XYZ data, modeling XYZG points, creating stereonets and rose diagrams, creating Piper and Stiff diagrams, and much MUCH more. This is the general RockWorks “toolbox.”  

All three levels also include the Borehole Manager and its local database for storing and managing borehole-based data.  Here is where the levels apply:

• With Basic, the borehole processing tools are limited to borehole location maps, 2D and 3D strip logs, and striplog profiles and cross sections.  Simple correlation panels are offered for Stratigraphy, I-Data, and P-Data in 2D section diagrams, but otherwise the borehole visualization is limited to observed data – no modeling.
• With Standard, you get all of the 2D and 3D modeling capabilities for lithology, stratigraphy, geochemical / geotechnical / geophysical, fracture, aquifer, and vector data, plus all of the 2D and 3D diagrams and maps you can generate to represent the models.
• With Advanced, you can connect to a SQL-Server database on a network, run "RCL" scripts to automate program processes, apply 3D faults to surface and solid models. You also have access to the RockWare GIS Link, to the tools in the well Production menu, and can import commercial PLSS land grids,

The higher levels include all of the features of the lower ones. You can upgrade to a higher feature level by paying the difference in price.

See also: Feature Levels

When you purchase a license for RockWorks, you will receive an email from our fulfillment desk with the "registration number" for your license. Keep this - you'll need it to activate your license.

RockWorks17 installs as a demo. You can download the installer from the main RockWorks page on our website.  Save the installer file to your computer, then run it to install the software. The trial version is fully-functional for 2 weeks.

If you purchased a Single or Annual license, a machine-specific "Unlocking Code" is used to convert the time-limited demo to the full version. You can request your Unlocking Code via the RockWare Customer Portal or our Registration Form. (See the RockWorks Licensing page for details.) 

If you purchased a Network license, your administrator will need to download, install, and activate the separate RockWare Network License Administrator on a server or other network computer. Contact us with questions using the form to the right. Users can install the RockWorks demo on their local computer and connect to the license manager. (See the RockWorks Licensing page for details.)

This is a 3-step process: removing the licensing from the original machine, installing the program on your new computer, and unlocking the license on the new computer. See also: RockWorks Licensing.

RockWorks17

1. Remove the license from the original computer:

Start RockWorks17 on that computer.
Click on the Home tab and the Licensing button.
Click the Change/Review Licensing button.
Click in the Remove Licensing radio button and click Change.
Click Yes when prompted to confirm the operation.
Copy or write down the Uninstall Number which is displayed.
(Note that if you uninstall RockWorks using the Windows Control Panel, the license removal will occur first, automatically.)

2. Install RockWorks17 onto your new computer:

Visit the Product Updates page to download the latest installation program.
Install the software on the new computer and launch it.
Click the Set Up Licensing button on the startup screen.
Click in the license type you purchased and the feature level.
Right-click/copy the Installation Number displayed there.

3. Request your new unlocking code by visiting either:

• The RockWare Customer Portal for online (immediate) generation of your code. In the Portal you can create a new account or log in using your existing account.

Locate the license you are transferring and click the Unlock button.
Choose Transfer to a Different Computer as the Unlock Type.
Enter the new Installation Number, the Uninstall Number from the previous computer, the end user name and email.
Click the Unlock Software button. The Unlocking Code should be displayed on the screen.
Click the button to the right to copy this long code, and paste it into the Unlocking Code prompt in RockWorks.
Enter the license's Registration Number and your Company Name into the specified prompts.
Click the Change button.

• The Register and Unlock Software form for email reply.

You’ll need to supply your contact information, your license Registration Number, the new Installation Number, and the Uninstall Code from the previous computer.
We will reply by email with the new unlocking code.

This is a 3-step process: removing the licensing from the original RockWare Network License Administrator program, installing the License Administrator on your new server, and unlocking the license on the new server. See also: RockWorks Licensing

RockWorks17 Network License

1. Remove the license from the original server:

Start the RockWare Network License Administrator program on that server or computer.
Click on the name of the license you wish to remove in order to select it.
Select the Licensing | Remove a License menu option.
Click OK to confirm the removal.
Write down (or right-click/copy and paste into Notepad) the Uninstall Code which is displayed - you'll need that in a minute.

2. Install the RockWare Network License Administrator onto your new server or network computer:

Contact RockWare Support for a download link for the Network Administrator installer.
Install the software on the new server and launch it.
Select the Licensing | Generate a License Request menu option.
Set the Product to RockWorks17.
Select the Feature Level of your license (Basic, Standard, or Advanced).
Enter your license registration number and your company name into the requested prompts.
Click the Get Install Number button.
Write down (or right-click/copy and paste into Notepad) the Installation Number which is generated. You will need this momentarily.

3. Request your new unlocking code by visiting either:

• The RockWare Customer Portal for online  (immediate) generation of your code. In the Portal you can create a new account or log in using your existing account.

Once you're in the Portal, locate the license you are transferring and click the Unlock button.
Choose Transfer to a Different Computer as the Unlock Type.
Enter the new Installation Number, the Uninstall Number from the previous server, the end user name and email.
Click the Unlock Software button.
The Unlocking Code should be displayed on the screen.
Click the button to the right to copy this long code.
Back at the RockWare Network License Administrator, paste the Unlocking Code into the Unlocking Code prompt. (If you need to get back to the Licensing window, click on the name of the Pending license in the Administator console and select Licensing | Activate License.)
When you have pasted in the Unlocking Code, click the Activate License button.

• The Register and Unlock Software form for email reply.

You’ll need to supply your contact information, your license Registration Number, the new Installation Number, and the Uninstall Code from the previous server.
We will reply by email with the new unlocking code.

Maintenance is offered for Single and Network licenses for RockWorks. New licenses and upgrades to RockWorks17 include one year of maintenance. Maintenance includes the support options listed on our support page, as well as 30 minutes of phone support, software updates and bug fixes, and new version upgrades.

After the expiration of the 12 month period, maintenance can be renewed for a fee. If you choose not to renew, you are still eligible to use the software, however:

• You will not be able to use a revision that is newer than your maintenance expiration date - no new features or bug fixes. (If you want an idea of how many enhancements we've made to the program, check out the number of items in the RockWorks revision history.)
• Upgrades from RockWorks17 to new versions are only offered under this maintenance plan and cannot be purchased separately. If maintenance has lapsed you need to pay the lapsed maintenance plus the maintenance renewal to get back on the plan.

For more details please refer to our Maintenance Policy.

RockWorks was designed with numerous geological industries in mind: environmental, geotechnical, petroleum, and mining to name a few. It offers many generalized subsurface visualization and modeling tools, as well as some that are more industry-specific.

For example, well construction diagrams may be used primarily by environmental/geotechnical users, while raster logs and the stratigraphy picker tools might be used more by those in the oil and gas industry. Shallow environmental data lends itself to lithology modeling, while deep petroleum wells will focus on stratigraphic layers. Mining users will probably enter quantitative measurements as “I-Data,” while oil and gas users will enter geophysical measurements in the “P-Data” tabs.

RockWorks17 stores borehole data in a SQLite database. When you create a new project folder in the program, the “SQLite” file will be created automatically for entry/import of your borehole data. This offers a number of benefits, including improved data integrity (such as defined formations and lithology types) and powerful queries (dialog-box-based as well as SQL entries).  

RockWorks also lets you choose MDB (MS Access) as your local database type if you prefer; this option can be helpful for connecting to ArcGIS.

If you purchase an Advanced license for RockWorks17 you can connect the program to a SQL Server database on your network.

Yes. Even though we have changed the default local database from MDB to SDB (SQLite), you can use your RockWorks16 projects with no problem. When you open your RockWorks16 project folder in RockWorks17, a new-project wizard will start. It will copy your RockWorks16 database to this new folder, updating it to the new database type.

All of your accessory files – RwDat datasheets, RwGrd grid models, RwMod solid models, and Rw2D, Rw3D, and RwRpt graphic and report files are fully usable in RockWorks17.

Yes. When you open your RockWorks15 project folder in RockWorks17, a new-project wizard will start. It will copy your RockWorks15 database to this new folder, updating it with all of the new coordinate definitions.

There is also a stand-alone program installed with RockWorks17, called “RW 15 to 17 Conversion Tool” which can update - individually or in bulk - your ATD datasheets, GRD grid models, MOD solid models, and RK6 and .RW3DXML graphics generated in RockWorks15 to their corresponding RockWorks17 formats (RwDAT, RwGRD, RwMOD, Rw2D, and Rw3D).

Yes. You can create several types of cross section diagrams in RockWorks:

• 2D single-panel projected profiles (true orientation of the holes maintained),
• 2D hole-to-hole cross sections,
• 2D projected sections, and
• 3D fence diagrams.

These sections can illustrate logs only or include interpolated panels representing stratigraphy or water level surfaces, or lithology, fractures, or quantitative measurements based on interpolated solid models.

Yes. RockWorks offers both surface modeling (XYZ values) and solid or "block" modeling (XYZG values). Single and multiple surfaces can be displayed in 3D, and stratigraphy models incorporate 3D surfaces with side panels. Solid models can be displayed in 3D as isosurfaces or with color-coded voxels.

LogPlot’s sole purpose is creating logs: it generates individual well/boring logs with almost unlimited flexibility in log layout, with detailed headers, footers, and any combination of data columns. You can create the graphic log at any vertical scale and print to single-sheet or continuous printers. If you need detailed individual logs, LogPlot is the way to go.

RockWorks creates more simplified logs, designed for display in cross sections and fence diagrams, and as a launching point for project-wide data modeling and display. Logs are just a small part of what RockWorks does.

RockWorks and LogPlot can share data, so they work nicely together. They are purchased separately.

Yes, in a number of ways.

1. The RockWare GIS Link (available separately) can be used to load your RockWorks borehole data into ArcMap. It also allows you to pick section/fence locations there and transfer control back to Rockworks for diagram display.
2. 2D Shapefiles can be imported into the RockWorks 2D plotting window, enabling you to overlay ArcGIS maps over your RockWorks contours, for example.
3. The RockWorks 3D display window exports log cylinders, surfaces, isosurfaces, and fence panels as 3D shapefiles for display in ArcScene (requires the 3D Analyst extension).