Export 3D View to OMF

Use the 3D View > Export to OMF menu option (geogxnet.dll(Geosoft.GX.GEO3DV.Export3DVToOMF;Run)*) to create a new OMF file from selected datasets in the current 3D View. Once an OMF file has been created, it can be shared with a variety of other mining and geoscience software applications.

This tool can also be accessed from the 3D Viewer:

  • The Export > OMF File menu option

  • The Export to OMF context menu option in the current view

Export 3DV to OMF dialog options

Output OMF file

Specify the new OMF file name. The default name will be automatically assigned as the same name as in the input 3D View file name.

Select items to export

The tree list shows all datasets that are contained in the current 3D View. 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.

    • OMF files support many types of 3D geospatial datasets. These types include:

    • points
    • lines
    • drillholes
    • 3D triangulated meshes (surfaces)
    • 2D rasters (grids, images)
    • 3D rasters (block models, voxels)
  • Any data layers that appear without a checkbox and with grey text are not currently supported for export to OMF.

    • Title

    Enter a title for the OMF metadata. By default, this will be the same as the root name of the OMF file.

    Description

    Enter a description for the OMF metadata. Optional.

    Application Notes

    *The GX tool will search in the "...\Geosoft\Desktop Applications \gx" folder. The GX.Net tools, however, are embedded in the geogxnet.dll located in the "...\Geosoft\Desktop Applications \bin" folder. If running this GX interactively, bypassing the menu, first change the folder to point to the "bin" folder, then supply the GX.Net tool in the specified format.

    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

    A new OMF file is created, and will contain the selected datasets from the input 3D View. After creating the OMF file, you may share the file with colleagues and stakeholders in order to share the entire 3D View as a single package.

    Reprojection

    3D spatial datasets displayed in Oasis montaj or Target can have a different coordinate system to the 3D View in which they are displayed. As long as both the dataset and the 3D View have a defined coordinate system, the data will be "reprojected on the fly" and will be located correctly in 3D space. Care should be taken not to mix datasets without defined coordinate systems, as this could lead to mislocated datasets. When exporting a 3D View to an OMF file, all datasets will be reprojected to a single coordinate system - the coordinate system of the 3D View. All data in the OMF file will use that one coordinate system.

    Unsupported Data Types

    While the OMF export supports most of the data types that can be displayed in 3D views, there are a few exceptions. Any layers that are not currently supported in the OMF export are shown in light grey text with no checkbox in the Select Items to Export list.

    Some of the datasets that are not currently supported for OMF export are:

    • Raster layers, such as:
      • images draped on elevation grids
      • "pixel plots" of section grids
      • Azure Maps layers
    • 2D and 3D vector datasets, such as:
      • Drillholes
      • Legacy vector layers, such as isosurfaces
      • 2D and 3D ArcGIS Layer files (.LYR)
      • Geostrings
    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 second version will be extending the support of block models.

    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:

    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+

    Target 9.7+
    Seequent (formerly Aranz Geo) Leapfrog Geo 4.2+

    See Also: