MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
MINESCAPE 2023 UPDATE 4
RELEASE NOTES
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Contents
What’s New ................................................................................................................................. 5
Improve DFServer Connection Limit.................................................................................................. 5
More Seamless Silent Installation ........................................................................................................ 5
Updated Terms & Conditions ..................................................................................................................6
Conditional Formatting in Table Editor ............................................................................................6
New GDB-Specific Containers and Variables ............................................................................... 7
Block Model....................................................................................................................................................... 8
New Option Now Supports Mesh Input ..................................................................................... 8
Expose Option in Block Model Tab Now Supports Mesh Input....................................9
Mesh Input & Increased Attribute Limits for Categorisation Option....................... 10
Expose Option in Output Tab Now Supports Mesh Input ............................................. 10
Stratmodel ......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Re-introduced Post Line Option ..................................................................................................... 11
GDB ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Interactively Build SQL Queries and Manage Results ...................................................... 12
Generate Hole Plots ............................................................................................................................... 13
Logarithmic Scaling for Wireline and Histogram Traces ................................................ 13
Revamped Single Hole Forms ......................................................................................................... 14
Improved Internal Summary Reports ......................................................................................... 15
Underground Engineering ..................................................................................................................... 16
Consolidated Pillar Forms................................................................................................................... 16
Improved the Join Pillar Option...................................................................................................... 18
Improved the Split Pillar Option ..................................................................................................... 18
Improved Output of UG Mining Blocks ..................................................................................... 19
Bug Fixes ................................................................................................................................... 20
Core ...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Mesh..................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Stratmodel ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
Block Model..................................................................................................................................................... 20
GDB ....................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Open Cut ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Watershed ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Dragline .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
UG Coal............................................................................................................................................................... 22
Scheduling ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
Plot Designer.................................................................................................................................................. 23
Removed.....................................................................................................................................23
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
What’s New
Discover the latest enhancements and additions introduced in MineScape
Update 4.
IMPORTANT: Before installing MineScape 2023 Update 4, please ensure you
update the System Services to the latest version, which is available for download
in the Distribution Portal. This update is mandatory to ensure a smooth
installation process and the optimal performance of MineScape. Attempting to
install MineScape without first updating the System Service will result in
installation issues.
This release also addresses the retirement of Microsoft Azure CDN services. We’ve
updated the URLs for MineScape auto-update, rollback, and online help. For
those who may have missed the notification to update MineScape, the installer is
available for download in the Distribution Portal.
Improve DFServer Connection Limit
MineScape now allows for a maximum of 2047 connections to the design file
server. A message will be displayed when the connection limit has been
exceeded. Please exit MineScape and contact your local system administrator for
assistance.
More Seamless Silent Installation
Users can now add -nosql before starting a silent installation if they wish to
exclude SQL components.
MineScapeSystemServices-[Version].[Build].exe -q -nosql -l [LOGFILE]
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Updated Terms & Conditions
This release includes revised Terms & Conditions in alignment with the latest
document from the Datamine legal team. Additionally, the EULA has been
renamed to Third_Party_Licenses, and the Privacy Policy has been updated to
Rich Text Format (*.RTF) for consistency with the Terms & Conditions. Both now
include the Save As functionality. These documents are currently available in
English only.
To view the updated Terms & Conditions, click the About MineScape Icon on the
Start Page or go to Help > Information > About.
Conditional Formatting in Table Editor
The new Conditional Formatting Feature in the Table Editor enables users to
dynamically style table cells based on specified conditions, similar to spreadsheet
editors. With the Manage Rules Option, users can create and manage formatting
rules by defining a name, condition, cell colour, text colour, and value via the
Rules Form. The Clear Rules Option allows users to instantly remove all applied
formatting from the table cells. This feature enhances data visualisation and
readability by allowing custom styling based on cell content.
To access Conditional Formatting, go to the Table Editor Tab, and locate the
Validate & Output Group.
New Conditional Formatting Feature in Table Editor
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Conditional Formatting
New GDB-Specific Containers and Variables
The Plot Designer App enhances user workflows with support for GDB-specific
containers and variables, enabling users to design and customise dynamic,
database-driven plot files and templates. These feature allows users to
interactively add enriched, real-time data elements to their plots.
Pre-defined Plot Template Containing GDB-Specific Containers and Variables
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
The release also includes the Hole Plot Options, which uses data retrieved from
the GDB database to generate PDF outputs.
Hole Plot and GDB-Specific Containers in the Plot Designer Ribbon
This feature is also available in the GDB App, ensuring a seamless and flexible
experience working across both environments.
Block Model
New Option Now Supports Mesh Input
New Option
Provided Zone and Intersect are selected in the Setup Node, Mesh is now
available as an input option in addition to Triangle in the Zone Node of the
Create Block Model Form, which appears after users select the New Option.
Mesh and Triangle Options
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Expose Option in Block Model Tab Now Supports Mesh Input
Expose Option
Mesh is now available as an input option alongside Triangle in the Generate
Quick Expose Form, which appears after users select Generate » Expose under
the Quick Graphics Group.
Mesh and Triangle Options
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Mesh Input & Increased Attribute Limits for Categorisation
Option
Mesh is now available as an option in addition to Triangle in the Limits and
Wireframe Sub-nodes of the Generate Reserves from a Block Model Form,
which appear after users select the Categorisation Option under the Reserves
Group.
Limits and Wireframe Supports Mesh as Input
The attributes limit has increased to 1,000, and category combinations have
expanded to 10,000.
Expose Option in Output Tab Now Supports Mesh Input
Expose Under Extents
Mesh is now available as an input option in addition to Triangle in the Expose
Form, which appears after users select Extents » Expose under the Design File
Graphics in the Output Tab.
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Expose Form Now Supports Mesh
Stratmodel
Re-introduced Post Line Option
Added the Post Line Option, previously available only as a user command, to the
Stratmodel Tab under the Drill Holes Group via the dropdown next to Posting.
This update makes it easier to draw simple arrows in the design layer.
Post Line Option
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
GDB
Interactively Build SQL Queries and Manage Results
MineScape’s Query Builder offers enhanced flexibility and functionality through
its interactive interface for creating SQL queries, while still allowing users to type
in SQL syntax directly. It supports parameters, a capability not available in the
legacy query tool, and includes a preview function to validate query results before
execution.
SQL Query: Built in Query Builder, Run in Query Viewer, Viewed in Table Editor
The Query Viewer allows users to dynamically update parameter values before
execution, with query results displayed in the Table Editor Tool, which includes
the option to export data to CSV for further analysis. Together, these features
streamline the process of crafting and managing SQL queries, replacing the
legacy tool with a more streamlined and powerful query management
experience.
Both options are available in the Query Group under the Maintenance Tab of the
GDB App.
Maintenance Tab of the GDB Ribbon
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Generate Hole Plots
The GDB App introduces the Hole Plot Option, a new feature that enables users
to generate drill hole plots directly from the app using data retrieved from the
GDB database.
Graphics Tab
The Hole Plot Form, accessible through this option, requires a plot file containing
GDB-specific containers and the preferred drill hole(s). The generated plots are
output as PDF files, with the number of files depending on the depth and
number of selected holes.
Example of a Successful Hole Plotting
For ease of use, the Hole Plot Option is also available in the Plot Designer App.
Logarithmic Scaling for Wireline and Histogram Traces
Users can now draw Wireline and Histrogram traces in 2D and 3D drill hole
graphics using base-10 logarithmic scaling (log10). The logarithm is applied
directly to the data values without shifting them to a predefined minimum (for
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
example, 0.001). This ensures that values are plotted according to their actual
logarithmic distribution, providing a more accurate representation of attributes
that span multiple orders of magnitude.
Annotated Attributes Display Parameters Form Showing the Logarithmic Scale Option
This option can be enabled or disabled through the Settings Tab of the Attribute
Display Parameters Form, which opens when users edit the Field Display
specification.
Revamped Single Hole Forms
Both the Edit Single Hole Form and View Single Hole Form have been
revamped to improve the user experience. In addition to the new Select All
Button, which allows quick selection of all available tables and columns, the Drill
Hole Edit Form now enables users to select and update values for other drill holes
without restarting the selection process. These updates enhance workflow
efficiency and simplify drill hole data management.
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Revamped Edit Single Hole Form with All Listed Items Selected
Improved Internal Summary Reports
Enhanced the Interval Summary Report output table to be able to use lith
depths when desurvey coordinates are unavailable, preventing holes from being
reported without interval names. Additionally, the Collar Column has been
renamed to Elevation.
Collar Column is Renamed to Elevation
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Underground Engineering
Consolidated Pillar Forms
The Polygon Fill, Line to Pillar, and Networks Options in the Pillars Tab have
been consolidated into a new Create Option for a more seamless pillar creation
workflow.
Clicking Create opens the Generate Pillars Form, where users can generate
pillars from a Polygon, Line, or Networks. The form’s parameters adjust based on
the selected input source, while all other fields remain unchanged from the
previous forms. Additionally, this form includes an option to generate UG mining
blocks from the pillars layout. Once reserved, these blocks can be used as input
for underground scheduling in MineScape’s Tactical Scheduler, similar to the
Create Option in the Longwall Tab.
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Generate Pillars Form
Additionally, pillars from polygon now accepts multiple input values for pillar
length, allowing users to generate different pillar lengths.
Input Different Pillar Length for Pillars from Polygon
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Improved the Join Pillar Option
Improved the Join Pillar Option to automatically remove roadways located
between two joined pillars. After selecting two pillar polygons, the Select
Scenario Dialog Box appears, prompting users to choose a scenario. MineScape
then identifies the road layer within that scenario and deletes the roadway
between the two pillars.
Select Roads Layer Dialog Box
Improved the Split Pillar Option
The Split Pillar Option now generates a new roadway when splitting a pillar. After
selecting the centre element, a Road Creation Dialog Box appears, prompting
users to choose a scenario and define the width of the new roadway.
NOTE: If the centre-line intersects multiple pillars, MineScape automatically
generates unique names for all the new road elements created, ensuring there
are no duplicate names in the design.
Road Creation Dialog Box
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Improved Output of UG Mining Blocks
• Added Mesh Colour Definition to UG Mining Blocks
Users can now assign colours to UG mining blocks based on their types, i.e., pillars,
mains, gates, longwalls, roadways and installations. This improvement provides a
visual cue when highlighting a particular mesh and to provide better user
experience when creating underground scheduling.
New Mesh Colour Definitions
• Barrier Pillars Mesh Added to the UG Mining Blocks Output
Barrier pillars mesh is now included in the UG mining blocks output if a value is
entered for the Barrier Width Column in the Longwall Sub-Node of the form.
Previously, the pillars mesh was generated only in the mains, gates, and face
access
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
Bug Fixes
Core
• Fixed a crash that occurred when reading local license server
• Fixed an error that occurred when importing a large ESRI Shape File to
MineScape design file
Mesh
• Fixed an issue where selecting Yes in the Lower Surface Dropdown within
the Create Mesh from Surfaces Form did not apply the setting correctly to
the output mesh
• Fixed a display issue in the Save Mesh Form where two checkboxes were
overlapping
Stratmodel
• Fixed an issue where coal intervals were missing in certain sections of the
Cross Section output
• Fixed an issue where some intervals in the Cross Section were displayed
outside the grid in 2D graphics
Block Model
• Fixed an issue where the module failed when trying to generate reserve
using the Categorisation Option in the Reserves Group of the Block
Model Tab
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
GDB
• Fixed an issue where the Drill Hole Edit Form couldn’t be loaded
• Fixed an issue in the Basic Interval Data Retrieval output where missing
values were incorrectly displayed as 0.0
• Fixed an issue where the Lithology Code column header was blank in the
Interval Parting Report
• Fixed an issue where no warning was displayed when importing undefined
lithology codes
Open Cut
• Fixed an issue where running Multipart Reserves resulted in incorrect
values for INTRRMASS and TOTALBURDVOLUME and missing values for
INTLOSS and PARTVOLUME
Watershed
• Fixed an issue where watershed files could be deleted while loaded in an
inactive viewport
• Fixed an issue where watershed generation failed because the point cloud
input did not use a coordinate system
Dragline
• Fixed an issue where the Parallel Option under Copy could not be
executed in the draft plane after exiting the Dragline section view. The
draft plane is now properly reset upon exiting the section view to ensure
expected functionality.
• Fixed an error that occurred when attempting to draw material reports in
CAD for a new dragline project
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
• Fixed an issue in the Dragline 3D View where moved material areas were
incorrectly displayed above the topo. The 3D View now excludes
DRAG_AREA elements with step type Volume_Area, validated by their
fixed fill pattern, to ensure accurate visualisation.
• Fixed an error that occurred when trying to dump material using the Fill
Template method. The tolerance for point snapping to line segments in
the template area constraint has been updated to resolve this issue.
• Fixed an error that occurred when selecting a current section after
recreating it. MineScape now validates and closes any unfinished drag
block activities during the section recreation process.
UG Coal
• Fixed an issue where node elements were not created when generating
pillars from polygons with more than 1,000 vertices. MineScape now
generates multiple node elements if the vertex count exceeds 4,094.
• Fixed an issue where pillars could not be created using the Network input
source when the input layer contained too many intersecting lines.
MineScape now merges elements every 100 vertices to prevent excessive
result vertices. Merging smaller elements reduces unused vertices,
preventing an overflow of vertices.
• Fixed an issue where running a reserve for UG Multi-Mesh failed due to
missing quality specifications. MineScape now displays a warning
message, No qualities have been specified, in the Feedback Dock.
Scheduling
• Fixed a crash that occurred when loading a scheduling project because of
an issue in the color implementation
• Fixed an issue where block numbers were incorrectly displayed in split
block temporary graphics when using Active Bench in the Interactive
Filter
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MineScape 2023 Update 4 Release Notes
• Fixed an issue where block number remained after delecting a block from
the sequence
• Fixed an issue where the last block number was still displayed at the end of
animation
• Fixed an error that occurred when performing a split block action using the
Pick Line Method
Plot Designer
• Fixed an issue where grid annotations appeared upside down in projects
using the 3rd quadrant (SW). The grid now correctly flips the path and
aligns text rotation accordingly.
Removed
• Removed the Subdivision Count Field in both the Create Option from the
Longwall and Pillars Tab. The value is now hardcoded as 1.
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