Surpac

Release Notes
Last Modified: Monday, 14 October 2019

Surpac 2020
Enhancements
Tools

Support for Microstation DGN format files

Surpac now supports reading and writing of the Microstation DGN format files.

Classify .sdm files based on metadata

You can use the new CLASSIFY SDM function to classify input .sdm files based on the metadata
that you provide on the Solids > Solids tools > Classify SDM > SDM classification form. The output is
a classified .sdm or .dtm file.
Save files in the .sdm file format on the Save all layers as form
On the File > Save > Save all layers as > Save all layers as form, you now select the new GEOVIA
SDM Files option in the Output format type list to save files in the .sdm file format.
Engineering

Delete small fragments of stopes from the output using the Stope slicer function
When you use the Design > Stope design tools > Stope slicer function, the stopes that have
volume below a certain limit are now deleted automatically. You can define this limit in the Delete
trisolation less than volume field in the Customize > Default preferences > Settings >
Applications section.
Split multiple solids into stopes using the Stope slicer function
You can now use the Design > Stope design tools > Stope slicer function to split multiple solids
into stopes, when you enter a valid range of triobjects and trisolations in the new Object range and
Trisolation range fields, respectively, on the Slicing tab of the Stope slicer form.
View the name of the trisolation in the output reports for the Stope slicer or Report
volume of solids function
When you use the Design > Stope design tools > Stope slicer or Solids > Solid tools > Report
volume of solids function, you can now view the name of the trisolation in the output block model or
the solid modelling object report, respectively.
Extend the toe of a group of blast holes using the BLAST EXTEND SINGLE function
On the Design > Blast design > Blast design > Extend collar points > Bottom of hole parameters
form, you can select the new Select multiple holes check box and select an option in the new
Selection type list. The options are:

• All holes to extend the toe of all blast holes

• Holes inside box to extend the toe of all the blast holes inside the selected box
• Holes inside segment to extend the toe of all the blast holes inside the selected closed
segment

Use various verification entities that are grouped in a triobject with different trisolation
IDs
When you use the STOPE OPTIMIZER or SSO function, you can use various verification entities
(such as, seed, slice, undiluted stope, far dilution output, near dilution output, and failed seed) that
are grouped in a triobject with different trisolation IDs. These IDs are based on the colours that you
can specify in the new Verification shape colours section on the Input/Output > Output
customisation tab of the Design > Stope shape optimizer > Stope shape optimizer > Stope shape
optimization tool form.
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Run multiple stope shape optimizer XML project files simultaneously

You can use the new STOPE OPTIMIZER MULTIPLE or SSOM function to run multiple stope shape
optimizer XML project files simultaneously. You can also use the new Design > Stope shape
optimizer > Stope shape optimizer multiple > Run multiple stope shape optimization projects or
Block model > Block model > Stope shape optimizer multiple > Run multiple stope shape
optimization projects form for the same.
Use the Stope Shape optimizer function in multiple ways
You can now use the Design > Stope Shape optimizer function in the following ways:

• In the Navigator, double-click a valid .xml file, or drag and drop a valid .xml file in Graphics.
• In the Navigator, right-click a valid .xml file and choose Edit from the shortcut menu.

Also, you can edit an .xml file by right-clicking an .xml file in the Navigator, and choose Edit from
the shortcut menu.
Create and run multiple stope shape optimizer XML project files simultaneously
You can use the new STOPE SHAPE OPTIMIZATION IN BULK or SSOB function to create multiple
stope shape optimizer XML project files and run them simultaneously. You can also use the new
Design > Stope shape optimizer > Stope shape optimization in bulk > Stope shape optimization in
bulk or Block model > Block model > Stope shape optimization in bulk > Stope shape optimization in
bulk form for the same.
Configuration
Change the font, size, and style of the menu commands, text, table header, and
message window
You can use the Customise > Font editor function to change the font, size, and style of the menu
commands, text, table header, and message window.
View metadata types for SDM Version 2 files in the Properties pane
You can now use the translated text to view metadata types for SDM Version 2 files in the
Properties pane.
Geology
Reduce the point cloud density with the new Deviation method when using the CLOUD
2D MESH function
On the Cloud density reduction tab of the Surfaces > Mesh tools > Point cloud mesh > Point cloud
2D mesher form, you can select the new Deviation option to reduce the point cloud density based
on the deviation parameters, Maximum deviation and Maximum distance.
Define the number of points to reduce the point cloud density
On the Cloud density reduction tab of the Surfaces > Mesh tools > Point cloud mesh > Point cloud
2D mesher form, you can use the new Count of points in cell field to define the number of points to
be considered inside a cell that will be used to reduce the point cloud density.
Display or hide the point cloud data in Graphics
The following are the new functions available in the new Display > Point cloud menu:

• Display point cloud to display any point cloud data available in Graphics.
• Hide point cloud to hide any point cloud data available in Graphics.
• Select classifications to display the point cloud data in Graphics using classifications.

Also, in the Customise > Settings > Graphics section, you can select the new Display
classifications list check box to display the Classifications list form when you load the point cloud
data in Graphics.

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Mesh the point cloud data with classification

On the Classification tab of the Surfaces > Mesh tools > Point cloud mesh > Point cloud 2D mesher
form, you can now select the new Use classifications check box to view the list of the
classifications for the point cloud. You can now classify the point cloud data and then mesh these
classified subsets.
Create a solid mesh from point cloud data using spheres
You can use the new Solids > Mesh tools > Point cloud lexicographic mesh function to create a
solid mesh from point cloud data using spheres. For example, you can use this function to create
tunnels and similar geometry.
Reduce point cloud density when using the CLOUD LEXICOGRAPHIC MESH function
On the Solids > Mesh tools > Point cloud lexicographic mesh > Point cloud lexicographic mesher
form, you can select the new Reduce cloud density check box and enter Maximum deviation
and Maximum distance values to reduce the point cloud density.
Applications
View the name of the user who has uploaded that version of the file on the File
properties form
In the Enterprise Collaboration tree, when you right-click a file, you can view the new Owner
column on the File properties form. In this column, you can view the name of the user who has
uploaded that version of the file.
Add attribute type information to stope slicing function when exporting to SDM
When we run Stope Slicing function attribute type information is now added in the Surpac SDM file
header section. Also values of these attributes will be added in individual triangulation section.
Miscellaneous

Retain the selected classifications when you use the CLOUD 2D MESH function
When you use the CLOUD 2D MESH function, the selected classifications for point cloud data are
retained on the Classification tab of the Surfaces > Mesh tools > Point cloud mesh > Point cloud 2D
mesher form, even if you close the form and reopen it.
Use the new Point cloud menu for functions related to point cloud
You can use the new Point cloud menu for the following functions related to point cloud:

• Meshing multiple point cloud files simultaneously

• Converting .xyz and .asc point cloud files to .str string files
• Converting .str string files to .xyz or .asc point cloud files
• Filtering .xyz and .asc point cloud files to lower their resolution

You can use the new Point cloud menu to access many existing point cloud functions also.

Issues Fixed
Geology
The block line values were not included when you used the BM IMPORT WHITTLE
function
When you use the BM IMPORT WHITTLE function to import a Whittle MSQ file into Surpac, the
block line values (mcaf, pcaf, push_back, sg, volume-factor, i, j, k, block-tonnage, and mined
periods) are now included even when the Retrieve Parcel Information check box is cleared on the
Block model > Block model > Import > Whittle file > Import Whittle file form.

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The text in the Description field was displayed incorrectly when you saved a block
model in the Datamine or Surpac free block model format
When you save a block model in the Datamine or Surpac free block model format, the text in the
Description field on the Block model > Block model > Summary > Block model summary form is
now displayed correctly, and is the same as the text saved in the original block model.
The logical path could not be specified to save the output constraint file when you
used the BM MAKE CONSTRAINT or BM GRAPHICS CONSTRAIN ADD function
When you use the BM MAKE CONSTRAINT or BM GRAPHICS CONSTRAIN ADD function to
constraint a block model using a file, you can now specify the logical path to save the output
constraint file.
A zero was appended to the output CSV file name when you exported the block
centroid and dimensions to a CSV file
When you select the Output File as as the CSV option and the Id field is blank on the Block model >
Block model > Export > Block centroids & dimensions to string file > Create attribute report from
block model form, a zero is no longer appended to the output CSV file name.
The invalid azimuth and dip values aborted the macro when you run the ordinary
kriging, inverse distance, or nearest neighbour estimation in a macro
When you run the ordinary kriging, inverse distance, or nearest neighbour estimation in a macro, the
invalid azimuth and dip values no longer aborts the macro, and a warning message is no
longer displayed.
The records of a specified hole ID from a database were not deleted
When you load a drill database, you can now delete records of a specified hole ID from a database,
and the number of records deleted is displayed in the message window.
Using the CLOUD EDIT function when the point cloud data was not available in the
selected area caused Surpac to exit unexpectedly
When you use the CLOUD EDIT function, select the Digitise a polygon option in the Edit area list
on the Point cloud edit form (Surfaces > Mesh tools > Point cloud edit or Solids > Mesh tools >
Point cloud edit), and the point cloud data is not available in the selected area, Surpac no
longer exits unexpectedly. A warning message is now displayed in the message window.
A decimal precision issue was caused when you saved a new point cloud
In the Customise > Settings > Applications section, you can use the new Decimal precison field
to avoid the decimal precision issue when you save a new point cloud. You use this field to define
the decimal precision to be considered when you save a new point cloud using the Point cloud edit
function. By default, three decimal precision is used.
Using the calculated attribute (bearing or dip) in the ellipsoid specification of an
inverse distance estimation caused Surpac to exit unexpectedly
When you use the BM FILL INVERSE DISTANCE function for the inverse distance estimation, and
the use of a calculated attribute (bearing or dip) in the ellipsoid specification, Surpac no longer exits
unexpectedly.
The Surpac rendering functions did not work as expected for the OBJ data type
The Surpac rendering functions, such as EDGES ON, EDGES OFF, FACES ON, FACES OFF, and
transparency slider, now work as expected for the OBJ data type.
The weight was not applied to the descretisation points when you performed the
inverse distance estimation
When you use the BM FILL INVERSE DISTANCE function for the inverse distance estimation, the
weight is now applied to the descretisation points and single samples to generate the output report.
The volume was reported as zero in the output report when you used the BM VOL TON
REPORT function and the two DTMs overlapped
When you use the BM VOL TON REPORT function to report volume between DTMs, and the two
DTMs overlap, an error is now displayed in the output report.
The Quick constrains function did not work when you selected data in the inactive
layer
When you use the Quick constraints function anmd select data in the inactive layer, this function
now works for surface, solid, and string object types.

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The Vulcan block model was displayed incorrectly in Graphics when you applied float
attributes as a constraint
When you apply float attributes of a Vulcan block model as a constraint, the Vulcan block model is
now displayed correctly in Graphics.
The results could not be saved for a new attribute when you used the BM
RECOVERABLE PRODUCT function
When you use the BM RECOVERABLE PRODUCT function, you can now save the results for
an existing or a new attribute in the Recoverable product, Cumulative ratio, and Individual ratio
fields on the Block model > Column processing > Recoverable product > Block model recoverable
product ratios form.
Inserting or updating records in a database caused a performance issue of the SQL-
ODBC connection
When you insert or update records in a database, the performance of the SQL-ODBC connection
has been improved.
A failed operation caused the Adjust Triangle Intersection form to appear multiple
times
When you use the TRISOLATION FILE 3DM/3DM INTERSECT function for a failed operation, you
can now adjust the intersection to use the operation again, click the Cancel button to cancel the
entire function, or the Skip button to skip calculations on the Adjust Triangle Intersection form.
An access violation message was displayed when you saved a block model in the
datamine block model format
When you select the Datamine Block Model option in the Model Format section to save a block
model in the datamine block model format on the File > Save > Block Model as > Save Model form,
the access violation message is no longer displayed.
A point cloud was created with incorrect coordinates when you used the DTM TO
CLOUD function
When you use the DTM TO CLOUD function to create a point cloud from a trisolation, a point
cloud is now created with correct coordinates.
Using the CLOUD 2D MESH (2PCM) function for density reduction caused a
performance issue for large point cloud data
The performance of the CLOUD 2D MESH (2PCM) function for point cloud density reduction has
been improved for large point cloud data, and the time taken to complete this operation has been
reduced.
The block model report for .bmf files displayed incorrect grade class values
The block model report for extended Vulcan block model (.bmf) files now displays correct grade
class values. These values are improved and close to the original values, and displayed as the
attribute values of the files that are imported.
Miscellaneous
The calculations involving the next point were inaccurate for closed strings when you
used the STR MATHS function
When you use the STR MATHS function, the calculations involving the next point (for example,
_next_2dlen) are now accurate for closed strings.
The multithreaded loading capability of the Teigha library was not used when you
loaded the DWG, DXF, or DGN files
When you load the DWG, DXF, or DGN files, the multithreaded loading capability of the Teigha
library is now used to improve performance.
A warning message was displayed when you used the CLOUD FILE MESH function and
saved the output file with .sdm extension
When you use the CLOUD FILE MESH function and save the output file with .sdm extension, a
warning message for invalid extension is no longer displayed. You can now use this function to
create a solid or surface mesh from point cloud data, and save it in the output file with .dtm or .sdm
extension.
The previous value for some fields were not populated when you selected the Last
value for all fields option and re-used the Stope shape optimizer function
When you use the Design > Stope shape optimizer function, select the Last value for all fields
option, and then re-use this function, the previous value of fields, such as Project name and Block
Model, are now populated.

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The 3DExperience panel was visible in the Surpac user interface by default
The 3DExperience panel is no longer visible in the Surpac user interface by default. To access the
3DExperience panel, you have to manually set PWDBY_PANEL = true in the pbdefaults.ssi file.
Data in Graphics could not be rotated when you used the POINT MOVE function and
block model and string were displayed
When you use the POINT MOVE function, and block model and string are displayed, you can now
rotate the data in Graphics. However, you may no longer be able to move points that are behind or
over the block model in Graphics.
The metadata was not displayed in the Properties pane when you used the Undo
function after deleting an object or a trisolation
When you use the Solids > Edit object > Delete or Solids > Edit trisolations > Delete function to
delete an object or a trisolation from Graphics, and then use the Edit > Undo function to undo the
deletion, the metadata of the restored object or trisolation is now displayed in the Properties pane.
The output file overwrote the input file when you used the CREATE DTM function
When you use the CREATE DTM function, a confirmation dialog box is now displayed. On this dialog
box, you can select whether the output file should overwrite the input file.
Configuration

The path of the logicals file could not be reset after you had set a custom path
In the Customise > Default preferences > Settings > Alias files > Alias files section, after you
set a custom path for the logicals file in the Logicals file field, you can now delete this path to reset
the path of the logicals file to the default path.
The Convert function did not convert multiple files to the specified format
You can now use the File > Convert function to convert multiple files to the specified format.

The points below the block model could not be selected or moved
When you use the POINT MOVE function, the points below the block model can now be selected or
moved.
The temporary circle was not displayed in Graphics when you used the CIRCLE BY
DRAG function
When you use the CIRCLE BY DRAG function, and position the pointer, and then use a click and
drag action to define the centre and radius of the circle, the temporary circle is now displayed in
Graphics.
The files were not displayed in Graphics when you held down the Ctrl key awhile
dragging multiple files from Windows Explorer into Surpac
When you hold down the Ctrl key while dragging multiple files from Windows Explorer into Surpac,
the files are now displayed in Graphics. All the files are added to the current graphics layer, and
the layer is marked as edited. You can also zoom to fit all data in Graphics.
The string and segment numbers for a specific drawing method were not displayed for
a string file in Graphics
On the Display properties > Strings and points > Set drawing styles form, when you select the
#string-segment-no,line,marker,arrow/100/5 option in the Drawing Method list, the string and
segment numbers, and the direction of the arrow are now displayed for a string file in Graphics.
Inconsistencies in Russian language translation
The Russian language translation has been updated to resolve the inconsistencies.
The mouse pointer was focused on the All Files list after you closed the shortcut menu
in the Navigator
In the Navigator, when you close the shortcut menu and press D on the keyboard, the mouse
pointer now focuses on the Function chooser instead of the All Files list.
The None and More Colours buttons on the colour palette of the Cloud colour list were
not visible in the Dark theme
In the Customise > Default preferences > Settings > Graphics section, when you select a
colour in the Cloud colour list, the None and More Colours buttons on the colour palette are now
visible in the Dark theme.

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The information on the About dialog box was not readable in the Dark theme
On the Help > About dialog box, the information about the version of Surpac installed on your
computer is now readable in the Dark theme.
An erroneous file was generated when you exported a single point to a 3D PDF
When you use the EXPORT TO 3D PDF function to export a single point to a 3D PDF, an erroneous
file is no longer generated. An appropriate warning message is displayed in the message window.
The table on the Delete multiple layers form could not be expanded when you
expanded this form
When you expand the Edit > Layer > Close multiple layers > Delete multiple layers form, the table in
which you select the layers to be deleted can now be expanded, and you can view all the layers
in the table.
Icons on the Settings form were not displayed correctly in the Dark theme
On the Customise > Default preferences > Settings form, icons (such as Categories, Sort,
Description, Expand, and Collapse) have been modified to display these icons correctly in the
Dark theme.
Surpac did not work when you opened it in the Chinese language interface
When you open Surpac in the Chinese language interface, Surpac now works. Errors are no longer
displayed when you use the UPDATE LICENCE (UL) function to open the Update license page.
Tools
The segment area was displayed incorrectly in the message window after editing the
points
When you use the Inquire > Segments properties function, and the points have been moved since
the last property operation, the segment area is now displayed correctly in the message window.
The details of a temporary string were displayed in an error message when you used
the Clip DTM with string function and a zero area triangle error appeared
When you use the Surfaces > Clip or intersect DTMs > Clip DTM with string function and a zero
area triangle error appears, the details of a temporary string are no longer displayed in an error
message.
Changing font properties in the Plotting window caused Surpac to exit unexpectedly
In the Plotting window, when you change the font properties, such as pen, bold, italic, and
underline, Surpac no longer exits unexpectedly.
The options in the Symbol list were not populated on the Point operations tab of the
Define a string entity form when you edited entities
When you use the ENTITY MODIFY function to edit entities, the options in the Symbol list are now
populated on the Point operations tab of the Define a string entity form.
The Select Data Source form was displayed multiple times when you connected to the
acQuire database
When you connect to the acQuire database, the Select Data Source form is no longer displayed
multiple times.
The name GMSG OMF is changed to GMG OMF
The name of the Global Mining Standards Group has been changed from GMSG to GMG.
Therefore, the name of the following UI terms that are related to GMSG OMF are changed to:

• GMG OMF Files option in the Output format list on the File > Save > string/DTM > Save
File and File > Save as > Save File forms.
• GMG OMF Files option in the Output Format Type list on the File > Convert > Convert File
Format form.
• GMG-OMF section on the Customise > Plugin preferences > Plugin Defaults form.
Importing a Microstation (.dgn) file using the CAD IMPORT function caused Surpac to
exit unexpectedly
When you use the File > Import > AutoCAD or Microstation file into multiple layers > Import AutoCAD
or Microstation file into multiple layers form to import a Microstation (.dgn) file, Surpac no longer
exits unexpectedly.

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Output from different versions of Surpac was inconsistent when you created a DTM
using the file-based method by defining the boundary string to clip the surface
The output from different versions of Surpac is now consistent when you use the Define the
boundary string to clip the surface section on the Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM
from string file > Create a surface form to create a DTM.
Engineering
The previously selected option in the Horizontal direction field was not retained on the
Expand Segment by Berm Width form
When the select the Last value option in the shortcut menu, the previously selected option (expand
or contract) in the Horizontal direction field is now retained on the Design > Expand segments >
By berm width > Expand Segment by Berm Width form.
The Assign multiple domains function did not work for objects with multiple
trisolations
The Database > Analysis > Assign multiple domains function now works for objects with multiple
trisolations. The multiple geology domains for objects with multiple trisolations are assigned to
drillholes in a database.
The colours of the stopes, sub-economic stopes, and failed stopes were not based on
your specification
When you use the STOPE OPTIMIZER or SSO function, the colours of the stopes, sub-economic
stopes, and failed stopes are now based on what you have specified in the Shape colour section on
the Input/Output > Output customisation tab of the Design > Stope shape optimizer > Stope
shape optimizer > Stope shape optimization tool form.
Specify the object IDs for stopes, sub-economic stopes, and failed stopes
When you use the STOPE OPTIMIZER or SSO function, you can specify the object ID to be used for
all output stope shapes, output sub-economic stope shapes, and output invalid (that failed the result
filter) stope shapes. You can specify this ID in the new Object IDs section on the Input/Output >
Output customisation tab of the Design > Stope shape optimizer > Stope shape optimizer > Stope
shape optimization tool form.
Product Analysis
An error mesage was displayed when you imported drillholes from the acQuire
database
When you import drillholes using the Database > Database > Import drillholes from acQuire
function, an error message is no longer displayed and the drillholes are imported.
Applications
SDM data was not uploaded as Geological Features or Terrains in the 3DEXPERIENCE
panel for a specific case
On the Customise > Plugin preferences form, when you select the Version 2 option in the SDM
output version list, you can now upload the SDM data as Geological Features or Terrains in the
3DEXPERIENCE panel.
Support for the latest 3DEXPERIENCE server protocols
Surpac has been updated to support the latest 3DEXPERIENCE server protocols.

The What's New in Surpac topic is available in the Help

The What's New document is no longer installed in the default shared files location. You can use the
Help command to access information about updates to a Surpac release in the What's New in
Surpac topic in the Help.

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