Export Vulcan (.bmf) Model

Note: the Vulcan .bmf block model export driver cannot generate a .bmf file larger than 4gb in size. This is a restriction of a 3rd party driver over which Datamine has no direct control.

This multi-tab dialog is shown during export of a Vulcan Block Model Definition file (.bmf). This file type is not to be confused with the Block Definition File (.bdf), which is another supporting block model file created by Vulcan to contain a model origin, resolution and orientation.

The resulting .bmf file contains general information about the block model geometry contained in the counterpart text file. There are two tabs on this screen:

  • Schemas: Configure parent blocking information, and optionally, sub-blocking information. Sub-blocking is defined as a subset of the parent cell layout; the range of cells to be sub-blocked is defined, and each created sub-block can be controlled independently in X,Y and Z axes.

    This screen is used to set up general block, and sub-blocking information. Sub-blocking relates to how a subset of the overall block model data set is constructed. For example, a new block model could be built based on holes at a 225 foot spacing. The parent block could be 100 x 100 x 100 feet with 50 x 50x 50 foot sub-blocking.

  • Fields:Control which of the current in-memory fields are to be exported as Vulcan .bmf data. You can select or deselect fields, and set 'on-the-fly' translation instructions for individual fields.

Activity steps

  1. Ensure the Schemas tab is selected.
  2. A parent schema is created by default. If another schema is required for sub-blocking, click Add.

    Note: schemas and sub-schemas are added using the naming convention SUBBLOCKING_x, where X is a unique integer.

  3. Define the parent schema:
    1. Review and, if required, edit the Schema span. This is the width of the model in each of the major axes. By default, this value will be the number of blocks x the block size.
    2. Review and edit the No. of blocks. This is the number of blocks of the current schema in each direction.
    3. Configure the Block Size. Blocks can be cuboid with differing edge lengths.
  4. If sub-blocking is required:
    1. Define the number of subdivisions (Splits in X/Y/Z) required. For example, to set up a schema where a parent cell is sub-celled by halving its volume along the X axis, set Splits in X to 2 and leave the other values as 1.
  5. Select the Fields tab.
  6. Select Fields to export.
  7. For each field, review its properties and edit as required.
    1. Name - the name of the attribute as it will appear when the exported file is loaded.
    2. Type - numeric fields can be exported using one of the following types:
      • Double
      • Float
      • Integer
      • Short
      • Byte
      • Name
    3. Absent - specify the value to be used to signify absent data. Commonly, for Vulcan data, this is "-99".
  8. Click OK.
  9. Define a file name and location for export.
  10. A Vulcan .bmf file is exported.