Geoblock

The Earth Science Application

Introduction

The Geoblock program is integrated software for 2D/3D modeling, computational geometry and visualization of spatial datasets. The program can be used in Earth sciences particularly in such fields as survey, geology and mining modeling, ore reserve estimations and prediction of mineral liberation under grinding and mineral processing operations.

The contents of the Geoblock program are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1. This software delivers with open source codes as an integrated system for users and developers. You can use it free of charge for non-commercial use. To order the full installation on CD with the latest stable version and additional documentation, please, see details on support.

Features

The program supports several spatial dataset types: Drillholes, Points, Polygons, TINs, Solids, Grids and Meshes. Combined datasets can be organized into project collections and displayed inside Map Window of the program as a combination of contours, wireframe or block models simultaneously.

The databases can be stored in various relational formats: Paradox, Interbase, MS Access and Oracle. Spatial data and graphical objects can be exported/imported to DXF (AutoCAD), MIF/MID (MapInfo), GRD (Surfer, ArcInfo) and other formats.

There are a set of routines for grid and mesh generation in 2D and 3D. For example procedures for exploration and processing drillhole data include:

· Drillhole data analysis and data transformations.

· Compositing drillhole samples inside benches or horizons

· Calculation of sample XYZ coordinates in drillholes and exploration lines

· Mineral liberation and prediction of ore dressing parameters

Interpolation:

· Inverse Distance

· Linear by TINs

· Closest Point

As optional features there are next methods of interpolation:

· Kriging

· Natural Neighbors

· Polynomial Regression

Several spatial models can be visualized simultaneously in Map window using project manager. Constructed grids and block models could be used for open pit optimization and mine planning. Deposit reserves for any ore type or sort can be calculated with different methods using spatial computer models.

Tools & Libraries

Development Environment:

Geoblock is written in Borland Delphi for Windows 2000/NT/XP. You can download freeware Delphi Personal Edition from Borland site. You may read articles in Borland Developer Network to get latest news on the subject.

Libraries and Components: GLScene, Jedi Codes, Graphics32,

GSLib – Geostatistical Library,

GLBass - OpenSource 3D Sound,

VirtualTreeView -is a treeview control

Development tools: TortoiseCVS, Code Formater,

OpenFX - OpenSource 3D Model Editor

MS HTML WorkShop - viewing/compiling HtmlHelp files ".CHM"

Some Open Source and Freeware Projects

Aiplanet – Artificial Planet

ILH - Image Locatable Holographics™

Globecom – a virtual globe communicator as new type of Internet browsers

Internationalization

GNU Gettext - GNU gettext for Delphi

poEdit – the tool to edit translations

Downloads

You can download new releases from summary page or the whole latest archive from Nightly CVS Tree Tarball. There are following ZIP files in the full package release:

· Bin: Binaries of Geoblock without BDE.

· Data: Test data with directory structure.

· Help: Html Help System.

· Source: Codes of Geoblock

· Resource: Files of images (gif, jpg, bmp), icons, textures and legends

· Plugins: Samples of plugins for Geoblock’s problem book with source codes. Run Geoblock and find plugins on pages of Problem Book dialog in menu Analysis.

Unzip it with the -d option for directories (or use Winzip).

Note: The most features of the program still work only with Borland Database Engine (BDE), which should be installed on your computer. To change the natural language of user interface, please, go to Configuration dialog and set your choice in the combo box list. English and Russian localizations only available now.

Participation

You may be involved in the Geoblock project as a programmer, code donator or help writer to assist in development of the project. If you have some proposals how to accelerate changes and make improvements in the program, please, send your message to mailing lists or participate in the forum. Also you can email questions to the main administrator of the project: vassiliev@users.sourceforge.net

Summary