An Overview of Oasis montaj

The concept of an integrated environment for earth science data processing and analysis emerged from over three decades of software development and is implemented in the Oasis montaj software platform. It is the result of a long-term vision that reflects the fast pace of today’s professional work environment and the significant changes in data processing over the past thirty years:

• An order of magnitude increase in data volumes

• Increase in digital data availability and connectivity

• Shift in processing from office to in situ (or field) environments

• Replacement of proprietary software with commercial solutions

By design, the Oasis montaj software platform meets specific needs including:

• Unicode support enables the interaction and visual representation of files using non-ASCII characters in them.

• Project Explorer Tool enables users to browse as well as open any ‘project’ item.

• Enhanced metadata capabilities enable the ‘properties’ of the items displayed in the Project Explorer to be accessed using the Metadata tool.

• File locations are displayed in a popup dialog when you mouse over an item in the Project Explorer.

• Description tools enable users to add descriptive text to the items displayed in the Project Explorer.

• ‘Light table’ capability provides individual transparency settings for both raster images and vector line work for every group or layer on a map.

• Seequent ID based licensing enables you to securely sign in using your Seequent ID and access all of your Geosoft desktop applications and online services, including updates, VOXI Earth Modelling subscriptions, support resources through MySeequent, and Azure Maps services.

• The DAP (Data Access Protocol) technology enables you to access very large spatial datasets residing on an internet server (or locally on a personal computer). The Geoscience Data Service powered by DAP is a new web interface for you to connect to the Geosoft Public DAP Server and search for global geoscience datasets by keyword or location.

• Connecting you to your data and information via dynamic linking – a unique technology for graphically connecting data, profiles and maps in a single desktop environment.

• Addressing high-volume processing requirements.

• Delivering focused solutions to specific Earth Science problems.

• Multiple monitor support that allows you to extend your Oasis montaj workspace across multiple monitors.

• Shortcut toolbars access directly within the maps, grids, databases, map templates, and the 3D files you are working on.

Key Components

Oasis montaj is the core software platform for working with large volume of spatial data and provides the functionality required to manage, manipulate, visualize and map spatially located Earth Science data. Key components of the system include:

• Keeping in Touch with Data and Information: A single Graphical User Interface (GUI) provides direct access to data contained in Oasis databases through a spreadsheet interface and an integrated profile display tool.

• Oasis montaj Interface: The many elements of the environment work seamlessly to enable the creation and manipulation of files/documents in a logical workflow.

• Geosoft Database: The Geosoft database is a high-performance database that provides efficient storage and access for very large located data sets. The database supports both point located data and line based data sets which are common in earth science applications.

• Oasis montaj Maps: A map is a special graphic file (*.MAP) containing drawings and images. The system enables you to edit maps interactively, apply dynamic linking to maps and track map creation processes.

• Data and Process Links: Visual data links are provided to dynamically connect data in the spreadsheet, profile and map views. Process links are provided to relate database columns (channels) and map graphics with the processes that have created them.

• GX Processes: Data processing is achieved through the application of GX functions (Geosoft eXecutables), which can be used to control all aspects of the data processing sequence and environment. A scripting language and script processor provide support for unattended batch operation.

• Clipboard Tools: The Windows clipboard can be used to copy and move map objects from one map to another within Oasis montaj. In addition, you can use the clipboard to copy and paste objects between Oasis montaj and other applications.

• Wireframing: A streamlined workflow makes it easy to digitize geological interpretations on section and plan maps. Polygon features can be used to represent individual rock units, alteration or mineralization zones, while polyline features can be used to draw faults or contact surfaces.

Oasis montaj Features

The Oasis montaj environment provides direct access to data contained in Geosoft databases through a Spreadsheet window and an integrated Profile display window. The Geosoft database is a high-performance database that provides efficient storage and access for very large spatial data sets.

Database tools icons () provide quick access to the basic database options (Save Changes, Discard Changes, First Line/Group, Previous Line/Group, Next Line/Group, Last Line/Group, New Line/Group, Delete Current Line/Group and Pan to Cursor on All Maps).

Metadata (data about data) is captured by Oasis montaj from the first time the data is touched. The metadata information, which is based on ISO 19115 standards, is stored inside the data (if supported) or as a companion XML file.

The Interface provides visual Maps views.

The Oasis montaj core platform provides the basic resources for all Geosoft desktop applications and tools and a variety of systems that address specific applications in exploration geophysics, drillhole geology, exploration geochemistry and other areas. These systems consist of menus and corresponding Geosoft executables (GXs) that run on the core platform.

Oasis montaj contains a variety of built-in data import, processing, analysis, visualization, mapping, and integration capabilities. This system enables you to perform complex processing, editing, mapping, and interpretation tasks including the ability to:

• Create, import and export maps, databases, grids, voxels, images and profiles.

• Access shortcut toolbars directly within the maps, grids, databases, map templates, and the 3D files you are working on.

• Have metadata automatically created when you work with data (the name of the user, date, time and actions performed are stored). An XML Metadata viewer and editor enables easy access to your metadata.

• Process data using Geosoft’s gridding, contouring and 1D filter algorithms, along with our advanced grid utilities and gridding toolkit.

• Use the advanced grid utilities and the gridding toolkit.

• Design and layout maps, consisting of base maps, grids, images, customized annotations, labels, colour symbols, multi-parameter symbol plotting, and other entities.

• Perform 3-dimensional mapping that provides you with a range of options for visualizing data, including voxels, multiple surfaces and sections, each with own relief and contents, and each with its own orientation in 3D space.

• Use advanced CAD tools to draw interpretation features on your maps.

• Create enhanced 3D snapshots that include all display parameters, including active groups, transparencies, clipping, and appearance attributes. You can also combine multiple 3D snapshots and create a 3D video, which can be saved to a high quality movie format and shared as WMV or MP4 movie file.

• Automate tasks using scripts.

• Extend your Oasis montaj workspace across multiple monitors through the multiple monitor support.

About Oasis montaj Splash Screen

The dialog displays information about your current Oasis montaj version; the version information includes the release version number as well as the build date and number. The dialog contains also a section with links to the Release Notes.

To access the dialog, go to the Help menu and click the About Oasis montaj item.

Keeping in Touch with Data and Information

An important design strategy in Oasis montaj is to keep in touch with your data. In fact, the system is intended to connect you with your data and information in several unique ways:

• By providing an integrated environment (project) that holds all of your project information.

• By providing unique views of data (spreadsheet, profile, map and 3D).

• By connecting you to data and information in these views (through a specialized dynamic linking technology).

• By delivering a wide variety of data processing and analysis algorithms and techniques.

• By "memorizing" the processing you apply to data and maps by means of a proprietary process "maker" technology. This capability is especially useful for quickly testing and optimizing processing parameters. It also keeps a record of processing so that you can remember your settings if you stop working on your project and later return to it.

Oasis montaj approach is intended to give you a means of keeping in close contact with your original and processed data and information — from start to finish. As you use the system, you will find your own ways to take advantage of these capabilities.