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. Enter the Field Name as it will be 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
   • String (default)
6. Select the Value Type from User-Editable Property Value and Calculated Expression Value.
7. If Value Type is Calculated Expression Value:
   1. Click Edit Expression.

      The Expression Editor displays.

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

      You can double-click fields, functions and unit conversions to add them to the expression, or click Add Field to Expression or Add Function to Expression as applicable. You can also edit the expression directly.

   3. To view the available data for testing expressions:
      1. Click View Inbuilt Test Data.

         The Calculated Expression Test Data screen displays.

      2. Click Close.
   4. To test the expression, click Test Expression.

      If the expression returns a value that matches the selected data type and can be calculated from the available test data, the result displays. The Status displays error messages if applicable.

   5. Click Apply.
8. Click Apply.
9. 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. On the Custom Property Definitions Maintenance ribbon menu, click Delete Custom Property; or press Delete.

   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 deleted.

3. Click Yes.
4. Click Save Changes.

   Note: The custom property definition is marked as no longer in use, and is hidden throughout the user interface. However, in the current version of DataBlast, the only way to reactivate the custom property definition is via a direct change to the database.