Sequence Animation Using sequence animation in the 3D window

 

 

Introduction

Sequence animation refers to the playback of an animation based on a build up (or depletion) of the display of object data on screen. It  is an efficient way of viewing time/sequence controlled data. The most common type of data that has a time attribute are mine openings. So, in the case of an underground mine, a sequence could be attached as an attribute to wireframes so as to indicate the order in which the rock will be removed. This progression or regression can be viewed by selecting which field contains the sequence data and at what rate you would like to view the change.

In the mine planning environment, sequencing data is typically generated by scheduling software, but, in practice, any numeric field can be used to order animation frames. Adding or removing mining blocks (represented by e.g. block model cells, wireframes or string outlines) according to a sequence attribute allows you to visualize the mining sequence for a mine plan within the defined mining period (time interval e.g. year, life of mine). For Example, if the sequence values represent weeks (i.e. 1 = week one, 5 = week five) you could have your application display a week every second by assigning a rate of 1.

Your application currently supports the setup and playback of animations according to a sequence field for points, strings, wireframes and block models. For points, strings, block models and wireframes, any numeric field can be selected to act as a sequencing field, but for GVP files, this information must already have been added by the application that recorded the initial GVP data. Animations can also make use of annotation to enhance the visual effect.

This sequence animation can be configured and played entirely from within the 3D window. The animation can be recorded to an AVI or WMV video file using the standard simulation recording functions (see Related Topics for more information). Two types of sequence animations are possible i.e. single-object and multiple-object sequence animation.

 

Configuring A Sequence Animation

1. Display the object's Properties dialog (in the Sheets control bar, 3D folder, right-click on the required object and select Properties or, double-click the object in the 3D window).

2. In the General tab, define the Sequence Column and Sequence Options parameters, click OK.

3. Repeat the above steps for each object that is to be included in the animation.

The above steps are not required for animated Visualizer Replay files as they already contain embedded sequence animation information.

Running Animation for a Single Object

1. Display the Sequence Control dialog for the object (right-click on the required object and select Sequence Controls.

2. Specify the From and To points of the animation, the rate and step size (this can be seen as altering the 'resolution' of the animation, that is, the number of frames from start to finish) for the animation.

3. Play, stop and rewind the animation as required.

4. Repeat the above steps for a new object.

These settings have no impact on the global simulation settings.

 

Running Animation for Multiple Objects

1. In the Sheets control bar, select (tick the checkbox) next each object that is to take part in the animation.

2. Display the Simulation toolbar.

3. In this toolbar, click the Time Properties button to display the Simulation Time Properties dialog.

4. In this dialog, define the Time Scale parameter, click OK.

5. In the Simulation toolbar, click the Play button.

The Sequence Options parameters defined in the object's Properties dialog.

 

	Related Topics
	Sequence Control Dialog Points Properties Dialog Strings Properties Dialog Wireframe Properties Dialog Block Model Properties Dialog GVP Properties Dialog