On some occasions, we have a significantly large block model size but we are only interested in a portion of the entire block extents, or a few among the many attributes. Although we can constrain the model graphically, it does not really reduce the file size of the block model. Reducing the size could significantly speed up any processing done to the block model.

There are many ways to reduce your block model size but in this particular article, we will learn how to export the centroids into a CSV and reimport back to a newly created block model.

1. Go to BLOCK MODEL > BLOCK MODEL > EXPORT > BLOCK CENTROIDS AND DIMENSIONS TO A STRING FILE

2. Choose the block model you want to resize

Fill the form “Create attribute report from block model” as shown below:

3. Choose CSV as output file type

4. In this exercise we would like to constrain the report by z-elevation to reduce the depth as in the previous blog

5. Nominate the CSV filename

6. Choose the attributes that you want to carry over to the new model, you can add more attributes to include by positioning the cursor on the output attributes space then clicking tab. Alternatively, you can choose to output all attributes. Click APPLY.

In the next form, fill in the following information:

7. Choose how you want to constrain the block model. There are many constraint types types as shown on the picture below but to for this particular example we are interested to reduce the depth of the block model, thus we will use constrain by z-plane.

8. Nominate the maximum depth

9. Tick “Above” box

10. Click on “Add” to nominate this constraint set-up

11. You may opt to save this constraint set-up to re-use next time, if so nominate a constraint file name.

12. Click APPLY. The CSV report will be created.

13. Create a new block model. BLOCK MODEL > BLOCK MODEL > NEW/OPEN. Nominate a model name and click APPLY.
On the block model definition form, fill in the information as shown below

15. You can choose to define the coordinates using min/max coordinates or by origin and extents which we will choose to do in this exercise

16. Define the new origin and extents based from the csv reports

17. Make sure to maintain the same block size as the original to avoid maintaining the integrity of information.

18. Click Apply

19. On the next form, confirm the information entered and then click CREATE MODEL.

20. Import the CSV into the new model created. BLOCK MODEL > BLOCK MODEL > IMPORT > TEXT

21. Fill in the “Import Centroids” form as shown below to match the CSV information to the new model created. Click APPLY

22. On the “define attributes” form, map each column header that you selected to import from the source file to the corresponding row in the new block model to create.

Example: Column 1 (X) should be mapped against row 1 below, if there is no classification number then skip number 4. Map only attributes that match between the source and the new model

23. Click APPLY.