Maintain custom property definitions

For context and examples, see Custom properties.

Access custom property definition maintenance:

1. On the DataBlast application menu, select Site Maintenance.

   The Site Maintenance screen displays.

2. Select the Mine Site > Custom Property Definitions node.

   The Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu displays.

3. To filter the display of custom property definitions, select the Custom Property Target from Hole (default), Hole Pattern [All Patterns], Hole Pattern [Drill Patterns], Hole Pattern [Backfill Patterns], Hole Pattern [Charge Patterns], Hole Pattern [Blast Patterns], Hole Pattern [Initiation Patterns], Hole Pattern [Firing Patterns], Hole Pattern [Report Patterns] Hole Pattern [User Defined Patterns], Mine Block, Mine Site.

To add a custom property definition:

1. On the Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu, click Add Custom Property.

   The Custom Property Definition screen displays.

2. Select the Target from Hole (default), Hole Pattern [All Patterns], Hole Pattern [Drill Patterns], Hole Pattern [Backfill Patterns], Hole Pattern [Charge Patterns], Hole Pattern [Blast Patterns], Hole Pattern [Initiation Patterns], Hole Pattern [Firing Patterns], Hole Pattern [Report Patterns] Hole Pattern [User Defined Patterns], Mine Block, Mine Site.
3. Select the Property Type from Standard Custom Property and CAD Print Border Item.
4. Enter the Field Name as it is stored in the database. Custom property definition field names are prefixed with C_ and must be unique. Special characters are not allowed, and spaces are replaced with an underscore character.
5. To add a language definition:
   1. Select the Language from English, Portuguese, French, Spanish and Russian.

      Tip: For each custom property, add language definitions for the languages in which DataBlast Pro is viewed at your site. See Change the user interface language. If you display the DataBlast Pro user interface in a language for which you have not defined a language definition for the custom property, the Field Name, including the C_ prefix, is used as the display name.

   2. Enter or select the Property Grid Category. For mine blocks, hole patterns and holes, the custom property displays under this category name in the Properties Pane. For your mine site, custom properties are sorted by this category on the Mine Site Custom Properties and Site Maintenance screens. Maximum length: 50 characters.
   3. Enter the Property Grid Name. The display name for the property in the Properties Pane. Special characters and spaces are allowed. Default: The Field Name. Maximum length: 50 characters.
   4. Enter the Property Grid Description. The description to display for the property at the bottom of the Properties Pane. Maximum length: 200 characters.
6. Select the Data Type from:
   • Boolean
   • DateTime: Select a Format String from .NET date-time formats. See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings.
   • Decimal: Select a Format String from .NET decimal formats. See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-numeric-format-strings.
   • Geometry
   • Integer: Select a Format String from .NET integer formats.
   • Resource: Select the Resource Type.
   • String (default)
7. Select the Value Type from User-Editable Property Value and Calculated Expression Value.
8. If the Value Type is User-Editable Property Value:
   1. If the Data Type is String, Integer or Decimal, select whether to Use Fixed Values. Use Fixed Values cannot be combined with Use Value Range or Use Value Interval.
   2. If Use Fixed Values is checked, configure the values:
      1. Click Edit List.

         The Edit Fixed Values List screen displays.

      2. Select whether to Allow Input of 'Other' (New) Values.
      3. If other values are allowed, select whether to Auto-Save New Values as List Values.

         If Allow Input of 'Other' (New) Values is cleared, auto-save is also cleared.

      4. In the List Values table, enter each allowed value in the String Value, Integer Value or Decimal Value column, depending on the selected data type.

         Blank and duplicate list values cannot be saved. Before checking for duplicate string values, whitespace is trimmed and letter case is ignored.

      5. Select Default for one list value if required.

         Only one value can be the default. If Allow Empty or Null Value is not selected and the list contains values, a default value is required. The custom property Default Value is updated from the selected list value. If empty or null values are allowed, the selection list also includes an empty value.

      6. To reorder the list, drag and drop values or use the up and down buttons. Click Sort List Values to sort strings alphabetically or numbers numerically.
      7. To edit or rename a value, change it in the List Values table.

         Existing object values are not updated and continue to store the old value.

      8. To delete a value, select it and click Delete Selected List Value.

         A value that is in use cannot be deleted.

      9. Click Apply.

      Note: CSV and hole pattern imports write custom property values without validating them against the fixed list. Unknown imported values are not added to the fixed list.

   3. If the Data Type is Integer or Decimal, select whether to Use Value Range.
   4. If Use Value Range is checked, enter the Lower and Upper values and select whether to Use Value Interval.
   5. If Use Value Interval is checked, enter the interval Step by value.

      Intervals start from the lower value. The upper value can be reached only when the difference between the upper and lower values is divisible by the interval step.

   6. If the Data Type is Boolean, Decimal, Integer or String, select whether to Use Default Value.
   7. If Use Default Value is checked, enter the Default Value.

      For an Integer or Decimal property, the default value and values entered for the custom property are adjusted to comply with the selected value range and interval. The numeric spinner is limited to the range and changes values by the interval step.

   8. Select whether to Allow Empty or Null Value.
9. If Value Type is Calculated Expression Value:
   1. Click Edit Expression.

      The Expression Editor displays.

   2. Create the Expression by adding fields and functions, and entering text or values as required.

      Use the search filters to find value fields, functions and measurement unit converters. The filters retain their values for the current login session, and functions are grouped in the Functions Library tree. You can drag fields, functions and measurement unit converters to the required insertion point, double-click them, or click Add Field to Expression or Add Function to Expression as applicable. You can also edit the expression directly. Syntax highlighting distinguishes text strings, numeric values, function names and data field names. The colours are specified on the Display Colour tab in Local settings and apply the next time the Expression Editor is opened. See Calculated expression functions.

   3. To view and edit the available data for testing expressions:
      1. Click Edit Test Data.

         The Calculated Expression Test Data screen displays.

      2. Edit the test data values as required. Null values can be overridden with values that are more representative of the expression.
      3. Click Close.
   4. To test the expression, click Test Expression.

      The expression result displays with the value resolved for each field in the expression. Null values are explicitly labelled. If the expression returns a value that does not match the selected data type or cannot be calculated from the available test data, the Status displays an error message.

   5. Click Apply.

      The expression is validated. If validation fails, the expression is not applied.

10. Click Apply.
11. Click Save Changes.

To edit a custom property definition:

1. Select the custom property definition.
2. On the Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu, click Edit Custom Property; or double-click the custom property.

   If the custom property definition has been used in another object (for example, in the calculation expression of another custom property definition, in a hole properties export template, in a text report or in a CAD print border), a warning displays.

3. Edit the custom property definition as required.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click Save Changes.

To duplicate a custom property definition:

1. Select the custom property definition.
2. On the Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu, click Duplicate Custom Property.
3. Edit the custom property definition as required.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click Save Changes.

To deactivate a custom property definition:

1. Select the custom property definition.
2. Uncheck Active for the custom property definition.

   A confirmation message displays. If the custom property definition has been used in another object (for example, in the calculation expression of another custom property definition, in a hole properties export template, in a text report or in a CAD print border), a warning displays and the custom property definition cannot be deactivated.

3. Click Yes.
4. Click Save Changes.

   Note: The custom property definition is marked as inactive and is hidden throughout the user interface.

To reactivate a custom property definition:

1. On the Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu, click Show Inactive Items.

   Inactive custom property definitions display with strike-through text.

2. Select the custom property definition.
3. Check Active for the custom property definition.

   If the custom property definition's name conflicts with another active custom property definition for the same target type, a warning message displays.

4. If a warning message displays, resolve the name conflict:
   1. Click OK.

      The Custom Property Definition screen displays.

   2. Enter a unique Field Name.
   3. Click Apply.
5. Click Save Changes.