BLKPER Process

To access this process:

  • Model ribbon >> Data From Model >> Perimeters.
  • View the Find Command screen, select BLKPER and click Run.
  • Enter "BLKPER" into the Command Line and press <ENTER>.

See this process in the Command Table.

Introduction

Creates a set of perimeters around blocks in a model file.

The perimeters are either on horizontal benches or on vertical sections, parallel to the axes of the model. The starting perimeter, the distance between perimeters and the number of perimeters are defined by parameter. All perimeters are open and clockwise for perimeters surrounding model cells. For empty areas (voids), perimeters are created to isolate the void, and then linked to the non-void zone.

More specifically, If a set of cells completely surrounds a void then this is dealt with by creating an anti-clockwise perimeter around the void. This is then linked to the enclosing clockwise perimeter with a two-way bridge of zero width.

If a cell contains sub-cells, it is treated as if it were a complete cell.

More than one perimeter will be created for each plane if there are disjoint groups of cells.

Input Files

Name

Description

I/O Status

Required

Type

IN

Input model file, which must contain the standard model fields.

Input

Yes

Block Model

Output Files

Name

I/O Status

Required

Type

Description

OUT

Output

Yes

String

Output perimeter file. Perimeter values have the format: PVALUE = nnn.mm where:- nnn = the plane number. mm = the perimeter number in the plane. XP,YP and ZP are true world coordinates.

Parameters

Name

Description

Required

Default

Range

Values

DIRECT

Parameter to specify the plane of the output perimeter: 1 = XY, 2 = XZ, 3 = YZ.

Yes

1

1,3

1,2,3

STARTPOS

Value of the coordinate perpendicular to the output plane for the first plane.

Yes

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

STEPSIZE

Distance between output planes. This must be positive.

Yes

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

NUMPLANE

Number of output planes.

Yes

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

SMOOTH

Controls perimeter generation (0):

Option

Description

0

Join cell corners;

1

Join the midpoints of cell sides in order to smooth the outline.

No

0

0,1

0,1

CONNECT

Controls internal and external perimeter connections.

Option

Description

0

Do not connect internal and external perimeter connections.

1

Connect internal perimeters to external perimeters as a single perimeter.

2

Create only internal perimeters.

 

No

1

0,2

0,2

BRADJUST

Specifies gap to create between coincident segments in bridged parameters to assist later evaluation. Only used if @CONNECT=1

No

0.0

Undefined

Undefined

Example

!BLKPER &IN(FEMODEL), &OUT(PERIMS), @DIRECT=1, @STARTPOS= -45, @STEPSIZE=10, @NUMPLANE=10, @SMOOTH=0, Fe>46

Reading through the model file -

3185 Model records read

1 perimeter(s) output for plane -45

1 perimeter(s) output for plane -35

1 perimeter(s) output for plane -25

>>> 101 RECORDS IN FILE PERIMS <<<

Error and Warning Messages

Message

ERROR : @STARTPOS is not within the model

ERROR : @DIRECT not in the range 1 to 3

ERROR : @NUMPLANE not +ve

ERROR : @STEPSIZE not +ve