MINERS NEWS - National & International news from the hard rock, coal, heavy equipment, aggregates & mining industries

SOFTWARE UPDATES

BY BETTY GIBBS, GIBBS ASSOCIATES

RockWare’s Log Plot 7 Updated

LogPlot displays geotechnical, environmental, geophysical, mud/gas, and mining data as a graphic boring log. Log Designer offers almost unlimited flexibility for log layout and has a revamped point-and-click interface, making it easy to customize logs for different clients and projects. Field data can be entered into LogPlot’s Data Editor using the keyboard, copy/paste, data collection, and/or import tools (LAS, RockWorks, Excel, ASCII, DBF). Multiple libraries of soil and rock types are included with LogPlot, and can be customized to suit a company’s or project’s needs. Logs are compiled based on a log design and can be at any vertical scale for singlepage, multi-page, or continuous logs. A free LogView program can be distributed with the logs for viewing and printing. Logs can also be exported as HTML log pages or JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, WMF and EMF images. Following are changes made to the latest LogPlot 7 version:

• New File Manager for easy access of data, design, and plot files
• Open RockWorks2006 MDB borehole records
• Automatic scaling of curve and bar graph columns, based on data range
• Adjust curve min-max scaling for specific depth intervals
• TVD Scalebars in depth or elevation
• Add depth-specific comments within lithology descriptions
• Include background fill in bar graphs
• Horizontal & vertical alignment, transparent & opaque options for static and linkedheader/footer text
• Automatic well construction captions with leader lines
• Undo in the log design window
• Curve resampling in the LAS import
• Raster exports (TIFF, PNG, etc.) of the entire log as a single page, no matter how long
• Compile multiple data files at once
• Define the number of units to be displayed on each log page
• Import RockWorks lithology & stratigraphy types directlyfrom the MDB database
• Import multiple boreholes from Excel
• Improved editing in the Log Designer
• XML based Log Design files

LogPlot help includes an extensive tutorial to help new users get started - and to help experienced users find nuances of how to apply the program. RockWare documentation is some of the best in the technical software industry, and the LogPlot documentation is no exception. Besides the on-line help, a downloadable pdf manual and a printed manual are available. A gallery of log design samples can be viewed on the Web site to show what is possible. The Web site also lists industry-specific features. A full operational evaluation version of LogPlot can be downloaded from the RockWare Web site at www.RockWare.com. The trial version can be “unlocked” to a full version via email. Also on the download page are some free programs such as a coordinate calculator, a program that converts DXF files to XYZ, a GeoTrig program and more. For other information, contact RockWare at 2221 East St #1, Golden, CO 80401 (303) 278-3534

Mine2-4D

Mine2-4D is a Mine Planning and Scheduling System provides a fully integrated system for engineers to manage the complexity of data from geological, survey, and mine design layout by producing complete and detailed mine plans and schedules. In addition, it has the ability to quickly assess the financial implications of variations in a mine plan.

The program helps the planning engineer quickly and easily complete planning tasks. Version 12 is a total rewrite of Mine2-4D with up to 500% increase in speed for the automated processes. Mine2-4D can be delivered as part of a complete mine geology and planning system or implemented to compliment existing software applications.

Mine2-4D Features

• Increases in speed (up to 1500%).
• Optimizes the design layout time using an automated toolbox.
• Integrates long and short-term schedules.
• Provides a quick turnaround from design to presentable schedule in the one program.
• Integrates tightly with Scheduling Packages such as EPS, MineWorks Planner and Microsoft® Project.
• Provides the ability to output schedules to a rotational 3D environment for distribution.
• Links dynamically the graphical and the Gantt chart environments.
• Provides scheduling algorithms for checking sequence before export.
• Uses multiple calendars.
• Schedules costs and resources.
• Applies formulas if needed.
• Provides automated wireframing, linking, and reporting tools.
• Saves time per project.
• Presents 3D Mine Designs and Animated Schedules in an unsurpassed manner.
• Provides full online help, including upgrades.
• Provides the ability to incorporate the application of software into Datamine Studio (100% compatible).
• Includes Earthworks Present - the newest technology available in Plotting and more...

For more information visit www.mine24d.com.

Betty Gibbs is president of Gibbs Associates, a consulting firm providing a variety of computer software services for the mining industry. For more information, contact Gibbs Associates, P.O. Box 706, Boulder, Colorado 80306-0706; phone & fax at (303) 444-6032; Email: mining@miningsoftware.com; www.miningsoftware.com.