Generate Plot
To create a Blast Design plot:
-
- A JPEG (.JPG) image file
- A georeference (.GRF) file
- If the view is in Plan, a MapInfo TAB file and a World file.
The way that plotting works in Blast Design is a little different to the other Vizex display modes. A specific type of plot, with its own substitutions, is generated. Hence, you should ONLY use this tool to generate a Blast Design plot file.
A block is a group of holes you want to blast in sequence as part of a blast pattern. The selection of a block allows you to manage and, if necessary, vary the design process for each block.
If no blast blocks are selected, then the Selection Assistant will prompt you to select the blocks you want to plot before the Generate Plot File form is opened.
Output File
In the Generate Plot File form, you can choose to generate a plot file or generate an image.
Plot file
To generate a plot file, double click (F3) the Plot File field to select a name and location for the output file.
Plot Template
Use the Plot Template field to select the layout template file to be used in generating the output file for the plot.
The application provides a number of predefined standard layouts you can use as the basis for your plots. When you select a template, a Plot Layout (.PEX) file is generated.
If no template is selected, only the PEL file is generated. However, if the Auto load option is selected, a default template will be used to generate a PEX file.
Plot as Image
If you want to generate the plot as an image, instead of a file, select the Plot As Image check box.
The following files are saved to the current project folder:
Background colour
Use the colour box to set a Background colour for the generated plot image. The image will be produced in 24bit colour.
Hide
Use the check box options provided to show or hide the reference grid, the scale bar and orientation arrows. These options are selected (hidden) by default.
Resolution
From the Resolution drop down list, select the required resolution in PPI for the generated plot image.
A 300 dpi image will be around 7MB in size. For screen display, 72 dpi is generally fine. To produce bitmaps suitable for advertising material and inclusion in reports, 300 dpi is generally a good resolution. If you have chosen to create an image with a very high resolution, it may take a few moments to create.
Invert whites
Select this option to invert white polylines and their associated labels. This is useful when working with white polylines on a dark background in Vizex. Note: This option is unavailable when the Plot as Image check box is selected.
Auto load
Select this option to automatically load the displayed data in the Plot Editor window. The plot will be opened using the selected template or (if blank) a default template. You can then edit the layout to suit your requirements.
When the details for the plot file or plot image have been configured,
-
Click the OK button to generate the Blast Design plot (or image).
The data contained in each frame of the plot layout is extracted from the blasthole database and is stored in a temporary (.DAT) data file in the \Blast DesignDATfiles subfolder of the current project folder.
The temporary files associated with a Blast Design plot file are automatically deleted whenever you delete the file.
- If multiple blast blocks have been selected, the Generate Plot File form will remain open and the Plot file name will be incremented for the next blast block. Click OK to generate subsequent plots (or Cancel).
The details of each block are shown. The number of holes and the total length of those holes, and the total length of sub-drilling and explosives, are shown in a Block Summary:
A database summary of the same information across all selected blocks may also be shown. The summary information included in a plot is selected in the Plot Options form.
The following Blast Design Plot substitutions are provided:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| @blastholedatabasename | The name of the current blasthole database (BHDB) |
| @blastblockname | The name of the current blast block. |
| @blockconsumables | Path to block consumables DAT file |
| @blocksummary | Path to summary DAT file |
| @databasesummary | Path to database summary DAT file |