Sheets Control Bar

Using the Sheets Control Bar

Sheets Control Bar

Displaying or hiding this control bar:

  • The Sheets control bar is disabled by default and can be toggled by activating the Setup ribbon and select Show | Sheets Bar
  • The Sheets control bar is disabled by default but can be displayed/hidden using the toggle-sheets-bar command

The Sheets control bar is used to manage the various data window's sheets, projections, views and overlays.

Only visible data object overlays are listed in this control bar - you cannot use it to manage other non-visual data tables (this is the responsibility of the Loaded Data control bar).

The Sheets control bar also lets you manage the data objects from which overlays are derived; you can save, load, unload, reload and refresh data objects as well as making the parent object "current" (find out more about the current object concept..)

With regards to the object overlay (remember, this is just one representation of a data object, and possibly one of many in memory), the Sheets control bar manages displaying and hiding items, formatting overlays and editing the associated overlay visual settings.

Follow the links below to find out more:

Introduction

The Sheets Toolbar

Context Menus

 

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For more information on the viewing hierarchy in your application, see View Hierarchy.

 

About the Sheets Control Bar

The Sheets control bar is situated on the left of the main display window, in a default installation. It can be docked or floated, shown or hidden as any other control bar (see Customizing Control Bars). Making extensive use of the right-click (context) menu system, the Sheets control bar can be used to access commands and functions related to both individual items, and groups of items, depending at which point in the data hierarchy a menu is selected.

The data window to which the selected item(s) relate (3D, Plots etc.) will also determine the functions that are available in a given menu. For example, you can access the Strings Properties dialog by right-clicking a string object (in the Strings sub-folder of the main folder) and selecting Properties, e.g.:

The Sheets Toolbar

This toolbar is located at the top of the Sheets control bar and contains the following buttons:

 

Description

Load points data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Load string data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Load drillhole (static) data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Load wireframe data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Load block model data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Load planes data and create a default 3D window overlay.

Import a non-Datamine format file using the Data Source Drivers.

Export a loaded data object to a Datamine or non-Datamine format file. Opens the Object to Export dialog.

Display the Data Object Manager.

Unload data objects from memory, from the list provided by the Data Unload dialog.

Unload all data objects and overlays from memory, after confirmation

What Do the Different Text Formats Mean?

This control bar lists, amongst other things, a list of loaded 3D overlays. Overlays can be created either automatically by creating data of a new data type (e.g. the first string in a new project session, where no previous string object exists) or manually, say, by duplicating an existing overlay with Copy.

The text format used to describe each overlay provides information on the status of the data object to which it relates.

Bold font The overlay is used to represent the "current" 3D object for a particular data type. More about current objects...
Italicized font The overlay represents a 3D object for which there are unsaved 3D changes*

 

*The important description here is "3D", or something in the underlying data table for the object has changed and hasn't yet been saved. Visual formatting changes are ignored.

You can have any combination of font formatting; a bold, italicized overlay label represents a current data object for which there are unsaved changes.

Context Menus

A wide variety of functions can be accessed using the Sheets control bar. The menu that is produced depends on:

  • The data window that is currently active.

  • The 'level' in the tree at which the folder is selected.

Generally, the options available can also be accessed using alternative methods such as the drop-down menu system, or icon toolbars, however, the sheets menu provides a quick, context-sensitive way of managing components of the View Hierarchy.

The relevant folder structure for your active data window (3D, Plots etc.) will be automatically expanded when the window is activated. In addition, folders pertaining to non-active windows will be collapsed (although you can still re-expand them - editing a non-active window item will automatically enable the relevant data window).

For more information on the available folder menus, select a link from below:

Closed3D Folder Menus

The window folders of the Sheets control bar is used to control the display of 3D objects, and allows access to 3D object-related functionality. As with all folders in the Sheets control bar, the right-click (context) menu is used extensively. The following sub-folders are provided with the VR folder:

  • Points: lists points data overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Planes: lists planes overlays currently added to the  selected/active 3D window.

  • Strings: lists strings data overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Drillholes: lists drillhole data overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Wireframes: lists wireframe data overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Block Models: lists block model data overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Sections: lists all sections and section definition files available in the selected/active 3D window.

  • VR Objects: lists all DirectX objects currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • VR Object Types: lists the available VR object categories. The context menu can be used to add new object types to the list, and to the selected/active 3D window.

  • GVPs: lists the Visualizer (.gvp) file overlays currently added to the selected/active 3D window.

  • Grids: lists any 3D grids that you create for the selected/active 3D window. Right-click the Grids folder to create a grid that can be applied to loaded objects or sections in the window.

For more information on the 3D Sheets folder, see Sheets Control Bar Overview


ClosedPlots Folder Menus

The Plots folder in the Sheets control bar is used to access sheet-, projection- and overlay-related display functionality. As with the Design folder, this area shows a hierarchical structure. Each available Sheet folder (Plan, 3D or Section Name) contains sub-folders showing the current Projection (or set of projections if a set exists). Expanding the Projection folder shows a list of available Overlays, e.g.:

The context menus available for each section differ, and are described below:

Plots Folder Menu (Sheets control bar only):

Right-clicking the Plots folder icon allows you to perform the following actions:

New Plot Sheet: allows you to add a new sheet, and cascades options for a Vertical Section, Plan or Custom Sheet. These commands are identical to the ones found in the Plots window Insert menu.

Paste: if you have previously copied a sheet using the context menu at sheet-level (see below) you can paste a copy of this data into the Plots folder using this option. If no data currently resides on the clipboard, this command will be unavailable.

Sheet, Projection and Overlays Menu:

Right-clicking a Sheet, Projection or Overlay shows the following context-menu (note that not all options will be available if data is not currently copied to the clipboard). You will only be able to paste new items of a specific level in the hierarchy by right-clicking the containing folder icon. For example, to create a copy of an overlay item, you will need to select Copy on the item itself, and a Paste option by right-clicking the Overlays folder:

Select/Deselect All: select all items of the current sheet, overlay or projection.

Data Object Manager: launches the Data Object Manager to allow you to modify loaded data objects.

[Data Type] Properties: shows the properties dialog for the selected item.

Insert: opens the Plot Item Library, allowing you to insert a sheet-specific plot item.

When inserting plot items with this command, at the Sheets level or above, it is important to remember that any plot items that relate to a particular projection (for example, a title bar that will list the description of a projection) should not be added at this level, instead, they should be added by right-clicking the relevant Projection folder and selecting Insert...

 

Copy [Data Type]: allows you to copy the currently selected item to the clipboard. Note that if an item is copied, it can be pasted (as a copy) into the containing folder by right-clicking that folder icon and selecting a paste option.

Insert...: displays the Plot Item Library dialog, allowing you to choose a plot item for insertion into the current plot. The contents of the displayed dialog will depend on the type of data selected. For example, if the Overlays menu (or a Plots overlay) is selected, the resulting library will contain only overlay plot item types, such as a 3D overlay, line overlay and so on.

Insert copy of...: you can insert a duplicate of the currently copied item using this item. As mentioned above, this option is only available if you right-click the containing folder of the originally copied item.

Paste Plot item/Format/Special: methods for pasting data. See copying plot items for more information.

Quick Legend: displays the Quick Legend dialog for simple legend creation and editing.

Display Legend: if a specific overlay project is selected, displays the legend for the select overlay.

Wizard: opens a Object Summary dialog allowing you to view and (optionally) amend properties related to the selected item.

Reset: reset the selected overlay to default settings.

Rename: rename the selected overlay.

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Overlay names (i.e. the overlays listed under the Overlays folders in the Sheets control bar) will track object names (i.e. the object names displayed in the Loaded Data control bar) until the overlay has been renamed by the user. After this point, the overlay will retain the user-defined name, even if the base object is renamed.

  

Delete...: delete the currently selected item.

In addition, if a sheet is selected, the following option is available:

Lock/Unlock Overlay updates: if a sheet is 'locked' it will not be altered when new data is loaded into memory. If locked, the 'unlock' option will appear, enforcing an update of all associated projections when data is imported. Note that any unload operation will override a locked sheet; it is not possible to show data in a plot sheet that does not exist in memory.

If all overlays are locked for the entire sheet - that sheet is shown with a black 'lock' symbol in the Sheets control bar. Conversely, if all sheets are unlocked, no lock icon is shown. If a proportion of the overlays displayed within a given sheet (but not all) are locked, a lock icon is still displayed, but in grey:

Consider the following example where a sheet contains two projections. If the overlays for both projections (and thus, all overlays for the sheet) are locked, the following icon appears:

Whereas if only one of the two projections is locked, the icon will appear as a light grey version:

Finally, if no overlays are locked for any displayed projection, a 'normal' icon is shown:

 

 


ClosedLogs Folder Menus

The Logs folder in the Sheets control bar is used to access log- and plot-related display functionality.

The context menus available for each section differ, and are described below:

Logs Folder Menu:

Right-clicking the Plots folder icon allows you to perform the following actions:

New Log Sheet: adds a new, blank log sheet to memory.

Paste: if you have previously copied a log sheet using the context menu at sheet-level (see below) you can paste a copy of this data into the Logs folder using this option. If no data currently resides on the clipboard, this command will be unavailable.

Sheet, Projection and Overlays Menu:

Right-clicking a Hole Log Frame, or sub-item shows the following menu:

Copy: allows you to copy the currently selected item to the clipboard. Note that if an item is copied, it can be pasted (as a copy) into the containing folder by right-clicking that folder icon and selecting a paste option.

Insert copy of...: you can insert a duplicate of the currently copied item using this item. As mentioned above, this option is only available if you right-click the containing folder of the originally copied item.

Paste Special: this is another method of pasting data. The Paste Special dialog is displayed. See copying plot items for more information.

Delete: delete the currently selected item.

Insert: insert an overlay with this option. Selecting it displays the Insert Plot Item dialog. If an individual overlay item is currently selected, you will have the option of inserting a Legend box. If the Overlaysfolder is right-clicked, you will have the option to insert a variety of overlay types; in this scenario you will need to select an overlay type, and in the following dialog, select an object to create a new overlay type (only objects associated with the selection will be available - for example, if you select a Faces overlay type. only wireframe objects will be selectable).

Reset: reset the selected overlay to default settings.

Wizard: opens a Object Summary Dialog allowing you to view and (optionally) amend properties related to the selected item.

Properties: If an overlay item is selected, this command opens the Format Display dialog. For other types (such as folders), the Object Summary Dialog is displayed.


ClosedTables Folder Menus

The Tables folder in the Sheets control bar is used to table-related display functionality. As with the Design folder, this area shows a hierarchical structure. The Table folder can be expanded to show a list of all tables currently in memory.

note.gif (1017 bytes) To add a new table to memory - ensure thePlotswindow is displayed (View | Windows | Plots) and in the Plots window selectInsert | Sheet | Table. You will then be prompted to select a project file to base the table contents upon. Alternatively, add a table using the context-menu function described below.

 

The following context menus are available:

Tables Folder Menu:

Right-clicking the Plots folder icon allows you to perform the following actions:

New Table Sheet: allows you to add a new table. Selecting this option shows the Select Table Source dialog, which is used to select an object. When selected, and OK clicked, a new table is created in memory.

Paste: if you have previously copied a table using the context menu at table-level (see below) you can paste a copy of this data into the Tables folder using this option. If no data currently resides on the clipboard, this command will be unavailable.

Table Menu:

Right-clicking a table below the Tables folder displays the following context menu (options will be available based on context). If a table component (that is, an object's data column) is selected, a different menu is shown - see Table Component Menu further below):

Open in Current Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Open in New Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Copy: copy the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste/ Paste Format/ Paste  Special: these options are not currently supported in Studio 3.

Add Column: add a data column to the selected table using this option. Displays the Add Column dialog.

Insert: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Sort: allows you to sort the contents of the currently selected table using the Table Sort Dialog.

Filter: allows you to filter the contents of the currently selected table using the Table Sort Dialog.

Format: allows you to format the contents of the currently selected table using the Format Column Display Dialog.

Export: export the currently selected table using the Data Export dialog and Data Source Drivers.

Table Context Menu:

Expanding a table description shows the data columns from which it is comprised. Each table field, if selected, shows a context menu.

Open in Current Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Open in New Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Copy: copy the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste: paste the currently copied item.

Delete: delete the currently selected data column from the table in memory.

Properties: shows an Object Summary Dialog displaying the selected data column's properties.


ClosedReports Folder Menus

The Reports folder in the Sheets control bar is used to table-related display functionality. As with the Design folder, this area shows a hierarchical structure. The Table folder can be expanded to show a list of all tables currently in memory.

note.gif (1017 bytes) To add a new table to memory - ensure thePlotswindow is displayed (View | Windows | Reports) and in the Plots window selectInsert | Sheet | Report. You will then be prompted to select a project file to base the table contents upon. Alternatively, add a table using the context-menu function described below.

 

The following context menus are available:

Tables Folder Menu:

Right-clicking the Plots folder icon allows you to perform the following actions:

New Report Sheet: allows you to add a new table. Selecting this option shows the Select New Report Sheet dialog, which is used to select a report type. When selected, and OK clicked, a new report is created in memory.

Paste: if you have previously copied a table using the context menu at table-level (see below) you can paste a copy of this data into the Reports folder using this option. If no data currently resides on the clipboard, this command will be unavailable.

Table Menu:

Right-clicking a report description below the Reports folder displays the following context menu (options will be available based on context). If a report component (that is, an object's data column) is selected, a different menu is shown - see Report Component Menu further below):

Open in Current Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Open in New Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Copy: copy the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste/ Paste Format/ Paste  Special: these options are not currently supported in Studio 3.

Add Column: add a data column to the selected report using this option. Displays the Add Column dialog.

Insert: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Sort: allows you to sort the contents of the currently selected report using the Table Sort Dialog.

Filter: allows you to filter the contents of the currently selected report using the Table Sort Dialog.

Format: allows you to format the contents of the currently selected report using the Format Column Display Dialog.

Export: export the currently selected table using the Data Export dialog and Data Source Drivers.

Report Context Menu:

Expanding a report description shows the data columns from which it is comprised. Each report field, if selected, shows a context menu.

Open in Current Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Open in New Window: this option is not currently supported in Studio 3.

Copy: copy the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste: paste the currently copied item.

Delete: delete the currently selected data column from the table in memory.

Properties: shows an Object Summary Dialog displaying the selected data column's properties.


Closed Design Folder Menus

The Design folder in the Sheets control bar displays items according to the view hierarchy of your application. The tree menu can be expanded to show the Design, Design View, Design Projection and Overlays items. Note that all settings applied in this area will affect the display of data in the Design window only.

Context menus are available for the Design View, Design Projection, and Overlays (individual items):

Design View Context Menu

Right clicking the Design View icon shows the following option:

Settings: opens the Project Settings dialog, at the Data Display tab, allowing you to access general data display properties for the Design window.

Design Projection Context Menu

Right clicking the Design Projection icon shows the following option:

Set View: opens the View Settings dialog, allowing you to configure the view plane settings for the Design window.

Overlays Context Menu

Right-clicking an item in the Overlays  folder icon shows the following context menu (note that some options will only be activated if a Copy has been performed previously).

Field Details:

Format: shows the Format Display dialog, allowing you to configure the selected overlay.

Use Template: apply a display template to the selected overlay (find out more about Display Templates...). A sub-menu of templates that are applicable to the selected data type (wireframe, block model, string etc.) will be shown. Select a template to apply it to the overlay.

Look At: quickly centre the current view, updating the definition so that the selected overlay is maximized to the Design window screen. Note that data will be shown in its full context; neighbouring data will also be displayed.

Copy: copies the current overlay information to the clipboard. Subsequent access to the same context menu (at overlay item-level) will then reveal the following paste options:

Paste Plot Item: this option is only available if an item has been previously pasted, and the Overlaysfolder selected. You can then insert a copy of the previously copied overlay into the Overlays folder. This is only relevant (and available) for Plots window overlays.

Paste Format: each overlay has an associated format, configured using the Format Display dialog. You can apply the settings from one overlay to another overlay using this option. For example, if you have two loaded wireframes, one of which is set to display Faces, and the other to display Intersections; you can copy the intersections format to the faces-style overlay by selecting Copy on the former, and Paste Format... on the latter.

Paste Special: this is another method of pasting data in the Plots window (it is not available in other windows). The Paste Special dialog is displayed. See copying plot items for more information.

Quick Legend: displays the Quick Legend dialog, allowing you to set up a numerical legend for applying to the current overlay.

Display Legend: if a legend has already been associated with the selected overlay, this option is used to display a preview of the legend intervals and formatting, in a separate dialog.

Legend Column: you can apply the legend currently associated with the selected overlay to any column of data within the underlying object using this menu; the menu cascades a list of all available data fields - selecting one will apply the current legend to the selected data column instantly.

Reset: reset the selected overlay to default settings.

Rename: rename the selected overlay.

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Overlay names (i.e. the overlays listed under the Overlays folders in the Sheets control bar) will track object names (i.e. the object names displayed in the Loaded Data control bar) until the overlay has been renamed by the user. After this point, the overlay will retain the user-defined name, even if the base object is renamed.


Delete Overlay
: select this option to remove the overlay from memory, after confirmation. Please note that you cannot undo this operation.

 

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Loading Data
Introduction toClosed3D

The VR folder in the Sheets control bar is used to control the display of VR objects, and allows access to VR object-related functionality. As with all folders in the Sheets control bar, the right-click (context) menu is used extensively. The following sub-folders are provided with the VR folder:

  • Points: lists points data overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Planes: lists planes overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Strings: lists strings data overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Wireframes: lists wireframe data overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Block Models: lists block model data overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Sections: lists all sections and section definition files available in the VR window.

  • VR Objects: lists all VR DirectX objects currently added to the VR window.

  • VR Object Types: lists the available VR object categories. The context menu can be used to add new object types to the list, and to the VR window.

  • GVPs: lists the Visualizer (.gvp) file overlays currently added to the VR window.

  • Grids: lists any 3D grids that you create for the VR window. Right-click the Grids folder to create a grid that can be applied to loaded objects or sections in the VR window.

For more information on the VR Sheets folder, see Sheets Control Bar Overview