Export Project to OMF

Use the Project > Export Project to OMF menu option (geogxnet.dll(Geosoft.GX.GEO3DV.Export3DVToOMF;RunForProject)*) to export Geosoft grids, voxels, and geosurfaces from your current project to an OMF file. This file can then be shared with a variety of other mining and geoscience software applications (see the Application Notes below for more details on OMF). The export option can also be accessed from the context menus in the Project Explorer.

Export Project to OMF dialog options

Output OMF file	Specify the output OMF file name. By default, the output file will acquire the name of your current project; however, you can override the default.
Coordinate system	The coordinate system saved with your project parameters is displayed. Use the [Modify] button to change the coordinate system information. All the datasets selected to be exported will be "reprojected on the fly" to this coordinate system (see Application Notes). A warning is displayed to the right of the field if any of the selected datasets do not have a coordinate system defined.
Coordinate system units	The length units of the current coordinate system are displayed. Use the [Modify] button to change the coordinate system projection and units.
Title	Enter a title for the OMF file metadata. By default, the title will acquire the name of your current project; however, you can override the default.
Description	Enter a description for the OMF file metadata. Optional.
Items to export	The tree list displays all the grids, voxels, and geosurfaces currently added to your project. Change the data to be exported by selecting or deselecting individual datasets. Holding down the Shift key allows you to select or deselect multiple datasets. You can also use the [Select All] or [Select None] buttons at the bottom of the window. See the Application Notes below for more details on OMF file format and supported data types.
[Regrid Voxels]	If the voxels selected are rotated or contain variable cell sizes, you might need to resample them in order to be exported to your destination software. Click this button to open the Regrid Voxels for OMF Export dialog and change the regridding parameters for the selected voxels. The tooltip to the right of the button displays information about the number of cells and dimensions of the selected voxels as well as the resulting number of cells in the OMF file before and after applying the regridding for "non-uniform" voxels (see also Regrid a Voxel).

Application Notes

Reprojection

The spatial datasets displayed in Oasis montaj or Target can have different coordinate systems. When exporting project data to an OMF file, all selected datasets will be "reprojected on the fly" to a single coordinate system - the one specified in the Coordinate system field. All data in the OMF file will use that one coordinate system. Care should be taken not to mix datasets without defined coordinate systems, as this could lead to mislocated datasets.

What is OMF?

The Open Mining Format (OMF) is an open geoscience exchange format for sharing 3D geospatial data within the mining industry. OMF provides a common file format for mining software, and allows files to be easily imported or exported between programs. It is specifically designed to represent spatial objects, such as drillholes, block models and surfaces.

The Open Mining Format offers:

• The ability to easily share data between software packages
• The capacity for companies to seamlessly share data internally or externally
• A more streamlined and efficient approach that eliminates manual or convoluted transfer processes

Supported Data Types

OMF files support many types of 3D geospatial datasets including:

• 2D rasters (grids, images)
• 3D rasters (block models, voxels)
• 3D triangulated meshes (surfaces)

About OMF and the Global Mining Guidelines Group

The first version of OMF, launched in 2017, supports basic structures including points, lines, surfaces, meshes and volumes.

The Open Mining Format is a collaborative effort, created under the guidance of the Global Mining Guidelines group (GMG). The GMG is focused on fostering broad industry engagement, which is key for this initiative’s success. The GMG has initiated a global outreach program including a sub-committee comprised of representatives from software vendors and mining companies working together to direct the future of the format.

For more information go to:

• https://gmggroup.org/projects/data-exchange-for-mine-software
• https://omf.readthedocs.io/en/latest

Which software vendors and applications can create and/or import OMF files?

Several software vendors have adopted, or are in the process of adopting OMF as a common format for exchanging mining datasets. These include:

Vendor	Software
Deswik	Deswik.CAD 2019
Dassault Systèmes	GEOVIA Surpac 2019 MineSched 2019
Micromine	Micromine 2020
Seequent (formerly Geosoft)	Oasis montaj 9.7 (and up) Target 9.7 (and up)
Seequent (formerly Aranz Geo)	Leapfrog Geo 4.2 (and up)