Vulcan 10 features preview

Maptek Vulcan 10, set to be released in March 2016, includes new features and fresh interfaces to give users even more control over their data.

Data Analyser

The new Vulcan Data Analyser presents a totally revamped tool for variogram analysis allowing users to gain a better understanding of their geological data.

With Data Analyser users can easily set up and apply filters and transformations to data. Processing is fast and changes to parameters are interactively displayed on the relevant charts. The dynamic lag control feature greatly reduces the number of times variograms need to be calculated.

According to Vulcan Product Manager Eric Gonzalez, ‘Removing trial and error in determining lag size saves time when creating a new model. This allows users to test multiple alternatives with confidence.’

Data Analyser integrates Vulcan unfolding tools, providing several new methods for handling structural and grade based anisotropy. The new fan variogram ‘compass’ allows users to select multiple directions for correlation of samples.

Data Analyser also displays multiple models concurrently, so users can conduct real-time, side-by-side comparisons.

The new option replaces multiple steps with a streamlined workflow leading up to grade estimation. Data Analyser is fully integrated with existing Vulcan functionality and data types. High quality charts are easily output for incorporating into resource reports.

Large block model display

Visualising block models interactively in 3D is essential. Until now geologists have had to compromise when dealing with extremely large models. They were often forced to restrict the block model to a certain area or constrain it to a single geological domain.

Vulcan 10 allows users to visualise regular block models of hundreds of millions of blocks. Level-of-detail viewing means that as users zoom in they are presented with greater resolution and processing power is used only where necessary.

Slices can be displayed and users can toggle through sections on the screen. Dynamic display controls allow users to easily change visualisation parameters. On-the-fly colouring, filtering by grade values, annotations, anisotropy vectors and datatips can all seamlessly modify the display.

‘Users can now see their entire model. No time consuming workarounds. No compromise to resolution or data quality,’ said Gonzalez.

Performance

A significant improvement in Vulcan 10 is the additional support for multi-threaded processors resulting in up to 10 times better performance over Vulcan 9.1.

Vulcan 10 allows  larger models to be visualised  and manipulated more effectively. Time is available for better analysis and considering different options. When users are in control of their data more effective decision making follows.

Splitting solids

A new Vulcan 10 addition to the Open Pit menu presents a workflow-based approach to creating scheduling solids.

Users are guided through a series of logical steps beginning with a full pit solid, topography and horizon surfaces.

The resultant product and waste solids are then split by strip lines containing information about batter angles and berm offsets, as well as block lines and bench levels.

At every stage of the splitting process triangulation solids are saved separately as they are created, and assigned names and physical attributes.

Existing grids or HARP models can be interrogated to assign quality and geotechnical attributes to the resulting solids.

Optimised, multi-threaded use of the Boolean engine quickly creates reliable solids with no loss of model fidelity, ensuring volumes match at every splitting stage.

Coincident and stepped surfaces are easily handled. The new splitting option works on simple or complex geology. Additional features allow created solids to be clipped to a new topography and easy export of attributes in common formats.

Direct visualisation allows continuous validation. The results are consistent, giving valid, closed solids, fully attributed and ready for scheduling in Vulcan Gantt Scheduler and Maptek Evolution.

Vulcan 10 will be available in March 2016.