Creating 3D Views of Surface Infrastructure in Minex

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Did you know that GEOVIA Minex™ has several 3D symbols which you can use to represent surface infrastructure? There are 117 different 3D symbols available in Minex, ranging from mining equipment, buildings and factories to bridges, towers, poles, flags, fences and trees. 3D symbols are treated as Geometry data. The user can decide the size and place the 3D symbol on any surface or at any XY+Z location. 3D symbols are treated as Geometry data; the user only need to specify the Group and/or Map as the Ident and Class are automatically assigned to.

To use a 3D symbol in Minex, follow these steps:

1. Click on a symbol from the menu String → Basemap → Symbol.

2. Select the 3D Symbols tab in the window. You can select the symbol from the dropdown combobox, which contains the 117 symbols.

3. Select a Size and click Ok. You will be prompted for the Group, Map, Ident and Class. You are only need to specify the Group and/or Map as the Ident and Class are automatically assigned by Minex.

As symbols are created, you can create interesting 3D infrastructure maps. Below are two examples:

1. Mining equipment complete with reserve database layers with drill and blast schedule, and a dump.

 

2. An office with a utility truck parked outside, a garage behind the office, and some trees in front. The mine is visible in the background. You can then add several other items, such as lights, electric poles, roads, bridges, etc.

 

You could also capture a video using any other software while the items in Minex are rotated (use the Graphics → View → 3D Navigation menu and move the Rotate slider at the bottom).

 

 

Along with 3D symbols, a registered aerial image texture-mapped onto a triangulation of the surface topography gives a better perspective for presentations.

 

And, that’s it. By following these steps and using these tricks, you can create a 3D layout of your mine.

 

 

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Ranajit Das

Ranajit Das

Senior Mining Industry Process Consultant, GEOVIA at Dassault Systèmes
Ranajit is a qualified Mining Engineer with over 22 years of experience in mine planning, consulting, operations, logistics, exploration and feasibility studies. Ranajit has previously worked for the Steel Authority of India, Santa Fe Mining in Chile and JSW Steel in India. He specializes in GEOVIA Minex and Surpac.