Voxler 4 ®

3D Well & Volumetric Data Visualization

Full User’s Guide

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_________________________________
Voxler® Full User’s Guide
3D Data Visualization

Golden Software, LLC

809 14th Street, Golden, Colorado 80401-1866, U.S.A.
Phone: 303-279-1021 Fax: 303-279-0909
www.GoldenSoftware.com
 COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Copyright Golden Software, LLC 2015

The Voxler® program is furnished under a license agreement. The Voxler software, quick start guide,
and full user’s guide may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. It is
against the law to copy the software, quick start guide, or full user’s guide on any medium except as
specifically allowed in the license agreement. Contents are subject to change without notice

Voxler is a registered trademark of Golden Software, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.

October 2015
Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler ......................................................... 1

Introduction to Voxler® ......................................................................................................... 1
Who Uses Voxler? ................................................................................................................................. 1
System Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 2
Welcome to Voxler Help ......................................................................................................... 2
Getting Help from the Help Menu ........................................................................................................ 2
Navigating the Help............................................................................................................................... 2
Obtaining Information about Dialogs and Commands ......................................................................... 2
Internet Help Resources ....................................................................................................................... 2
What’s New in Voxler............................................................................................................................ 3
Complete the Voxler Tutorial ................................................................................................................ 3
Voxler Documentation ........................................................................................................... 3
A Note About the Documentation ........................................................................................................ 3
Welcome to Voxler Dialog....................................................................................................... 4
Three-Minute Tour ................................................................................................................. 6
View Sample Voxler Files ...................................................................................................................... 6
Using Voxler .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Using Scripter ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Sample Script Files ................................................................................................................................ 7
Voxler User Interface Overview ............................................................................................... 7
Voxler User Interface ............................................................................................................................ 8
Changing the Window Layout ............................................................................................................... 9
Working With Voxler Windows ................................................................................................ 9
Opening and Closing a Window .......................................................................................................... 10
Resizing a Window .............................................................................................................................. 10
Changing The Window Layout ............................................................................................................ 10
Tabbed Documents...............................................................................................................14
Tab Behavior ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Unsaved Changes ................................................................................................................................ 14
Tab Style .............................................................................................................................................. 14
No Tabs ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Resize Window .....................................................................................................................14
Menu Bar ............................................................................................................................15

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Title Bar ..............................................................................................................................15

Status Bar ...........................................................................................................................15
Show or Hide the Status Bar ............................................................................................................... 15
Status Bar Sections.............................................................................................................................. 16
Import Progress................................................................................................................................... 16
Abort Import ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Introduction to Modules ........................................................................................................17
View All Modules ................................................................................................................................ 17
View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................... 17
Import ................................................................................................................................................. 17
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................... 18
Module Types...................................................................................................................................... 18
The Module Manager.............................................................................................................20
Showing All Modules........................................................................................................................... 20
Import ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Samples ............................................................................................................................................... 21
Add Modules to the Network Manager .............................................................................................. 21
Expand and Collapse Folders .............................................................................................................. 21
Using Keyboard Commands ................................................................................................................ 21
Show All Modules .................................................................................................................22
The Visualization Network .....................................................................................................22
Modules .............................................................................................................................................. 22
Data Sets ............................................................................................................................................. 23
Data Flow Model ................................................................................................................................. 23
The Network Manager ...........................................................................................................24
Working in the Network Manager ...................................................................................................... 24
Select and Deselect Modules .............................................................................................................. 25
Context Menus .................................................................................................................................... 25
Keyboard Commands .......................................................................................................................... 26
Viewer Window Module ..................................................................................................................... 26
Update Network ...................................................................................................................26
Auto Update ........................................................................................................................................ 27
Connect ..............................................................................................................................27
Example - Connecting a Module ......................................................................................................... 27
Connecting Modules..............................................................................................................30

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Connect Modules ................................................................................................................................ 30

Disconnect Modules............................................................................................................................ 31
Arranging Modules.............................................................................................................................. 31
Move an Existing Connection.............................................................................................................. 31
Cancel In-Progress Connection ........................................................................................................... 31
Multiple Input or Output Connections ............................................................................................... 31
Tips on Working with Modules ........................................................................................................... 31
Mismatch Error ................................................................................................................................... 32
The Viewer Window ..............................................................................................................33
Camera ................................................................................................................................................ 33
Home Position ..................................................................................................................................... 33
Projection ............................................................................................................................................ 34
Headlight ............................................................................................................................................. 34
Draw Style ........................................................................................................................................... 34
Transparency Mode ............................................................................................................................ 34
AutoZoom ........................................................................................................................................... 35
Customize Mouse Buttons .................................................................................................................. 35
Common Commands........................................................................................................................... 35
Trackball .............................................................................................................................................. 35
Rotate Object ...................................................................................................................................... 36
Stop Rotation ...................................................................................................................................... 36
Prevent Rotation ................................................................................................................................. 36
Record Rotation .................................................................................................................................. 36
Pan Window ........................................................................................................................................ 36
Fit to Window...................................................................................................................................... 36
Zoom ................................................................................................................................................... 36
The Property Manager...........................................................................................................37
Property Manager Tabs ...................................................................................................................... 37
Title Bar ............................................................................................................................................... 37
Context-Sensitive Help ........................................................................................................................ 37
Applying Module Property Changes with Auto Update and Update Now ......................................... 37
Properties............................................................................................................................................ 38
Resize .................................................................................................................................................. 39

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Help ..................................................................................................................................................... 39
Property Manager Controls ................................................................................................................ 39
New Features ......................................................................................................................42
Graphical Module Features................................................................................................................. 42
User Friendly ....................................................................................................................................... 42
Data Features ...................................................................................................................................... 42
Import and Export Improvements ...................................................................................................... 42
Automation Updates........................................................................................................................... 43
Chapter 2 - Tutorial ........................................................................ 45
Tutorial Introduction .............................................................................................................45
Advanced Tutorials ............................................................................................................................. 45
A Note About the Documentation ...................................................................................................... 45
Using the Tutorial with the Demo Version ......................................................................................... 46
Starting Voxler.....................................................................................................................46
Lesson 1 - Loading Data........................................................................................................46
Lesson 2 - Creating Graphics Output Modules ..........................................................................48
2.1 - Creating a Scatter Plot - Tutorial ................................................................................................. 48
2.2 - Adding a Bounding Box - Tutorial ............................................................................................... 48
Lesson 3 - Changing Properties ..............................................................................................49
3.1 - Changing Symbol Colors - Tutorial .............................................................................................. 50
3.2 - Displaying Labels - Tutorial ......................................................................................................... 50
3.3 - Changing the Bounding Box Properties - Tutorial....................................................................... 51
3.4 - Rotating Graphics - Tutorial ........................................................................................................ 52
Lesson 4 - Editing Linked Data in the Worksheet ......................................................................52
Lesson 5 - Using Computational Modules.................................................................................53
5.1 - Gridding Data - Tutorial .............................................................................................................. 53
5.2 - Creating an Isosurface - Tutorial ................................................................................................. 54
5.3 - Changing the Isosurface Properties - Tutorial ............................................................................ 55
5.4 - A Note About Transparency - Tutorial ........................................................................................ 57
5.5 - Filtering Data - Tutorial ............................................................................................................... 57
Lesson 6 - Connecting Multiple Modules ..................................................................................60
6.1 - Adding Contours - Tutorial .......................................................................................................... 60
6.2 - Changing the Transparency - Tutorial ......................................................................................... 62
Lesson 7 - Saving Information ...............................................................................................63
7.1 - Saving a Project - Tutorial ........................................................................................................... 63

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7.2 - Saving Data - Tutorial .................................................................................................................. 64

7.3 - Saving a Graphic - Tutorial .......................................................................................................... 64
7.4 - Copying a Snapshot - Tutorial ..................................................................................................... 64
7.5 - Capturing a Video - Tutorial ........................................................................................................ 65
Lesson 8 - Importing and Displaying Wells ..............................................................................65
8.1 - Importing Well Collar Data ......................................................................................................... 66
8.2 - Importing Trajectory Data........................................................................................................... 67
8.3 - Displaying the Wells .................................................................................................................... 67
8.4 - Importing Log Data ..................................................................................................................... 67
8.5 - Displaying Log Data on the Wells................................................................................................ 68
Advanced Tutorials ...............................................................................................................68
HeightFields - Advanced Suggestions ................................................................................................. 69
Math Module - Advanced Suggestions ............................................................................................... 70
Tutorial Completion ............................................................................................................................ 72
Chapter 3 - General Modules .......................................................... 73
Introduction to Modules ........................................................................................................73
View All Modules ................................................................................................................................ 73
View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................... 73
Import ................................................................................................................................................. 73
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................... 74
Module Types...................................................................................................................................... 74
General Modules ..................................................................................................................75
Info ....................................................................................................................................75
Inputs .................................................................................................................................................. 76
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................... 76
Properties............................................................................................................................................ 76
General Options .................................................................................................................................. 76
Info Module - Geometry Page ................................................................................................78
Light ...................................................................................................................................79
Inputs .................................................................................................................................................. 79
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................... 79
Properties............................................................................................................................................ 79
Viewer Window Properties .....................................................................................................82
Changing the Default Viewer Window Properties .............................................................................. 82
Editing the Viewer Window Properties............................................................................................... 83

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Camera Properties ................................................................................................................86

Change View with Camera Properties Dialog ..................................................................................... 86
Change View with Mouse ................................................................................................................... 86
Default Home Position ........................................................................................................................ 86
Headlight ............................................................................................................................87
World Axis Triad ...................................................................................................................87
Customize Axis Colors ......................................................................................................................... 88
Chapter 4 - Data Source Modules .................................................... 89
Introduction to Modules ........................................................................................................89
View All Modules ................................................................................................................................ 89
View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................... 89
Import ................................................................................................................................................. 89
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................... 90
Module Types...................................................................................................................................... 90
Data Types ..........................................................................................................................91
Point Sets ............................................................................................................................................ 91
Well Data............................................................................................................................................. 92
Lattices ................................................................................................................................................ 92
Geometry ............................................................................................................................................ 95
Blanked Data ....................................................................................................................................... 95
Source Modules....................................................................................................................96
Inputs .................................................................................................................................................. 96
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................... 96
Properties............................................................................................................................................ 96
Reloading a Source Module File.......................................................................................................... 96
Changing a Source Module File ........................................................................................................... 96
Import ................................................................................................................................96
The Import Dialog ............................................................................................................................... 97
Data Import Options Dialog ................................................................................................................ 98
File Formats......................................................................................................................................... 98
Data Types........................................................................................................................................... 98
Loading Multiple Images ..................................................................................................................... 99
Image Coordinates .............................................................................................................................. 99
Data Import Options Dialog ...................................................................................................99
Data Source Module ........................................................................................................... 102

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Input Modules ................................................................................................................................... 102

Output Modules ................................................................................................................................ 103
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 103
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 103
General Page - Points ........................................................................................................................ 105
General Page - Wells ......................................................................................................................... 107
WellData Module ................................................................................................................ 110
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 110
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 110
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 111
Inputs Options................................................................................................................................... 111
Displaying WellData .......................................................................................................................... 112
WellData Module - Wells Page ......................................................................................................... 113
WellData Module - Well Paths Page ................................................................................................. 114
How to Import and Display Wells ..................................................................................................... 115
Modifying Wells ................................................................................................................................ 118
Gridding and Mapping WellData ...................................................................................................... 119
Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 120
Lattice Source Module ......................................................................................................... 122
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 122
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 122
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 122
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 123
Lattice Source Module - Geometry Page .......................................................................................... 124
Lattice Size Example .......................................................................................................................... 125
Lattice View Dialog............................................................................................................................ 126
How can I create an ASCII XYZC lattice file?...................................................................................... 127
Geometry Source Module .................................................................................................... 128
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 128
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 128
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 128
Point Source Module ........................................................................................................... 130
Input Modules ................................................................................................................................... 130
Output Modules ................................................................................................................................ 130

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Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 130
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 131
Point Source Module - Geometry Page ............................................................................................ 132
Data Source Commands ...................................................................................................... 133
Import Data, Well Data, Geometry, or Lattices ................................................................................ 133
FunctionLattice ................................................................................................................................. 133
TestLattice ......................................................................................................................................... 135
Geometry Page ................................................................................................................................. 138
Data View Dialog ................................................................................................................ 139
Resize Window .................................................................................................................................. 140
Close Window ................................................................................................................................... 140
How can I display 3D lines? ................................................................................................. 140
How can I display geometric shapes in Voxler? ...................................................................... 141
Other Shapes..................................................................................................................................... 149
Chapter 5 - Computational Modules .............................................. 151
Introduction to Modules ...................................................................................................... 151
View All Modules .............................................................................................................................. 151
View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................. 151
Import ............................................................................................................................................... 151
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................. 152
Module Types.................................................................................................................................... 152
Computational Modules ....................................................................................................... 153
ChangeType ...................................................................................................................... 154
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 154
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 154
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 154
DuplicateFilter ................................................................................................................... 156
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 156
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 156
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 156
ExclusionFilter ................................................................................................................... 158
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 159
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 159
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 159
Examples ........................................................................................................................................... 160

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ExtractPoints ..................................................................................................................... 160

Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 160
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 160
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 161
Filter ................................................................................................................................ 162
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 162
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 162
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 163
Filter References ............................................................................................................................... 173
Gradient............................................................................................................................ 173
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 173
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 173
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 174
Gridder ............................................................................................................................. 175
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 175
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 175
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 176
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 176
Gridder Module - Geometry Page..................................................................................................... 179
Gridder Module - Search Page .......................................................................................................... 181
Anisotropy ......................................................................................................................................... 183
Gridding Methods ............................................................................................................................. 186
Gridding Example .............................................................................................................................. 190
Can I create a Gridder lattice using the Nearest Neighbor method? ............................................... 191
How can I create a lattice from an XYZC data file and save the lattice data? .................................. 191
How do I create a surface from my XYZ data file? ............................................................................ 192
Math ................................................................................................................................. 192
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 193
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 193
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 193
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 193
Geometry Page ................................................................................................................................. 195
Math Module Examples .................................................................................................................... 196
Merge ............................................................................................................................... 197

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Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 197

Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 197
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 197
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 198
Merge Module - Geometry Page ...................................................................................................... 199
Resample .......................................................................................................................... 200
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 200
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 200
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 201
Resample Module - Geometry Page ................................................................................................. 202
Slice ................................................................................................................................. 203
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 203
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 203
Output Components ......................................................................................................................... 203
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 204
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 204
Cutting Plane ..................................................................................................................... 206
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 206
Subset .............................................................................................................................. 208
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 208
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 208
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 209
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 209
Subset Module - Geometry Page ...................................................................................................... 210
Transform ......................................................................................................................... 211
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 211
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 212
Output Components ......................................................................................................................... 212
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 212
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 213
Transform Module - Transform Page................................................................................................ 215
Chapter 6 - Axes, Bounding Boxes, and Clipping Planes ............... 219
Introduction to Modules ...................................................................................................... 219
View All Modules .............................................................................................................................. 219

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View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................. 219

Import ............................................................................................................................................... 220
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................. 220
Module Types.................................................................................................................................... 220
Graphics Output ................................................................................................................. 221
Axes ................................................................................................................................. 222
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 222
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 222
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 223
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 223
Axes Module - X Axis Page ................................................................................................................ 226
Axes Module - Y Axis Page ................................................................................................................ 229
Axes Module - Z Axis Page ................................................................................................................ 232
How do I change the scale of one of the axes? ................................................................................ 235
BoundingBox ..................................................................................................................... 236
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 236
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 236
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 237
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 237
Bounding Box Module - Labels Page ................................................................................................. 239
ClipPlane ........................................................................................................................... 240
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 240
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 240
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 241
Connecting Multiple Modules to a Single ClipPlane ......................................................................... 243
Chapter 7 - Annotation and Text ................................................... 245
Introduction to Modules ...................................................................................................... 245
View All Modules .............................................................................................................................. 245
View Applicable Modules.................................................................................................................. 245
Import ............................................................................................................................................... 245
Viewer Window................................................................................................................................. 246
Module Types.................................................................................................................................... 246
Graphics Output ................................................................................................................. 247
Annotation ........................................................................................................................ 248

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Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 248

Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 249
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 249
Text ................................................................................................................................. 251
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 252
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 252
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 252
Chapter 8 - ScatterPlots ............................................................... 255
ScatterPlot Module ............................................................................................................. 255
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 255
Output ............................................................................................................................................... 255
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 255
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 256
ScatterPlot Module - Labels Page ..................................................................................................... 259
Label Format ..................................................................................................................................... 261
Legend ............................................................................................................................................... 262
How can I change the data min and data max in the legend?................................................... 266

Chapter 9 - Contours .................................................................... 269

Contours Module ................................................................................................................ 269
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 269
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 269
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 270
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 271
Contours - Cutting Plane Page .......................................................................................................... 274
Contours - Legend Page .................................................................................................................... 277
Drawing Contours .............................................................................................................. 281
How can I change the data min and data max in the legend?................................................... 281

Chapter 10 - Isosurfaces .............................................................. 283

Isosurface Module .............................................................................................................. 283
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 283
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 283
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 284
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 284
Isosurface - Legend Page................................................................................................................... 287

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How can I change the data min and data max in the legend?................................................... 291
How can I calculate volume?................................................................................................ 291
How do I create an Isosurface with different colors above and below a GRD surface?.................. 292
How can I model geologic surfaces? ..................................................................................... 292
How do I use interval data for formation tops or ore grade? .................................................... 293

Chapter 11 - Heightfields .............................................................. 295

HeightField Module ............................................................................................................. 295
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 295
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 295
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 296
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 296
HeightField - Image Overlay Page ..................................................................................................... 298
HeightField - Vector Overlay Page .................................................................................................... 300
HeightField - Legend Page................................................................................................................. 301
HeightField Examples.......................................................................................................... 305
Display Contours on HeightField ....................................................................................................... 305
Display Overlay on HeightField ......................................................................................................... 305
Load a Uniform Lattice at the Correct Z Height ................................................................................ 305
How do I create a surface from my XYZ data file? .................................................................. 306
I attach a HeightField to a 2D curvilinear lattice, and when I change the scale from 0, the surface is
distorted. Why? ................................................................................................................. 306
When I attach a HeightField to a DEM or GRD file, how do I set the Scale so that the HeightField
matches the Z axis? ........................................................................................................... 306

Chapter 12 - StreamLines and VectorPlots ................................... 309

StreamLines Module ........................................................................................................... 309
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 309
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 309
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 310
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 310
StreamLines - Seeds Page ................................................................................................................. 313
VectorPlot Module .............................................................................................................. 315
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 315
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 315
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 316
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 317
Legend ............................................................................................................................. 321

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Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 321
Chapter 13 - OrthoImages and ObliqueImages ............................ 327
OrthoImage Module ............................................................................................................ 327
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 327
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 327
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 328
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 328
ObliqueImage Module ......................................................................................................... 330
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 330
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 330
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 331
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 331
Cutting Plane ..................................................................................................................... 333
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 333
Legend ............................................................................................................................. 336
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 336
Chapter 14 - VolRenders ............................................................... 341
VolRender Module .............................................................................................................. 341
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 341
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 341
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 342
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 342
VolRender - Legend Page .................................................................................................................. 344
How do I blank a lattice above an irregular topography surface? .............................................. 348

Chapter 15 - FaceRenders ............................................................ 351

FaceRender Module ............................................................................................................ 351
Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 351
Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 351
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 351
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 352
FaceRender Module - Geometry Page .............................................................................................. 354
FaceRender - Legend Page ................................................................................................................ 355
How can I calculate volume?................................................................................................ 359

Chapter 16 - WellRenders ............................................................. 361

WellRender Module ............................................................................................................. 361

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Inputs ................................................................................................................................................ 361

Outputs ............................................................................................................................................. 361
Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 362
General Options ................................................................................................................................ 362
WellRender Module - Directional Data Page .................................................................................... 364
WellRender Module - Interval Data Page ......................................................................................... 367
WellRender Module - Path Data Page .............................................................................................. 370
How to Import and Display Wells.......................................................................................... 371
Primary Data Requirements .............................................................................................................. 371
Importing Well Collar Data ............................................................................................................... 372
Importing Trajectory Data................................................................................................................. 372
Displaying the Wells .......................................................................................................................... 373
Importing Log Data ........................................................................................................................... 373
Displaying Log Data on the Wells...................................................................................................... 373
Gridding and Mapping WellData ........................................................................................... 374
Extracting WellData .......................................................................................................................... 374
Gridding WellData ............................................................................................................................. 374
Mapping WellData ............................................................................................................................ 375
Modifying Wells .................................................................................................................. 375
Importing Wells................................................................................................................................. 375
Importing Additional Wells ............................................................................................................... 375
Hiding Wells ...................................................................................................................................... 376
Changing Wells .................................................................................................................................. 376
Displaying Wells ................................................................................................................................ 376
Setting Well Properties ..................................................................................................................... 376
Chapter 17 - Views and Altering the View Style............................ 377
Fit to Window .................................................................................................................... 377
Trackball ........................................................................................................................... 377
Spin.................................................................................................................................................... 378
Dragger.............................................................................................................................................. 378
View .................................................................................................................................................. 378
Zoom Realtime .................................................................................................................. 378
Pan .................................................................................................................................................... 378
Customize.......................................................................................................................................... 378

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Exit Zoom Realtime ........................................................................................................................... 378

Undo.................................................................................................................................................. 378
Pan .................................................................................................................................. 379
Customize.......................................................................................................................................... 379
Exit Pan.............................................................................................................................................. 379
Undo.................................................................................................................................................. 379
Headlight .......................................................................................................................... 379
World Axis Triad ................................................................................................................. 380
Customize Axis Colors ....................................................................................................................... 380
Defined Views .................................................................................................................... 381
Perspective Projection ......................................................................................................... 384
Orthographic Projection ...................................................................................................... 384
Still Draw Style .................................................................................................................. 385
Animating Draw Style ......................................................................................................... 388
Transparency Type ............................................................................................................. 393
Default (Fastest) Transparency Type ................................................................................................ 393
Best Quality Transparency Type ....................................................................................................... 393
Color Blending ................................................................................................................................... 393
Smooth Rotation ............................................................................................................................... 393
Notes ................................................................................................................................................. 393
Transparency Types .......................................................................................................................... 394
Home ............................................................................................................................... 402
Set Home .......................................................................................................................... 402
Camera Properties .............................................................................................................. 402
Change View with Camera Properties Dialog ................................................................................... 402
Change View with Mouse ................................................................................................................. 403
Default Home Position ...................................................................................................................... 403
Dragger ............................................................................................................................ 403
Rotate the Dragger Trackball ............................................................................................................ 404
User Defined Rotation ...................................................................................................................... 404
Scale the Size of Trackball ................................................................................................................. 404
Offset the Plane ................................................................................................................................ 404
How can I prevent objects from spinning? ............................................................................. 404

Chapter 18 - Voxler Worksheet..................................................... 405

Worksheet Document ......................................................................................................... 405
Worksheet Commands...................................................................................................................... 405

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Tab View............................................................................................................................................ 405

Worksheet Document ....................................................................................................................... 406
Worksheet Window ............................................................................................................. 407
Active Cell.......................................................................................................................................... 408
Active Cell Edit Box............................................................................................................................ 408
Active Cell Location Box .................................................................................................................... 410
Select Entire Worksheet ................................................................................................................... 410
Selecting Cells ................................................................................................................... 410
Selecting Cells with the Keyboard ..................................................................................................... 412
Selecting Cells with the Mouse ......................................................................................................... 413
Selecting a Column or Row Dividing Line ............................................................................... 414
Hiding Columns or Rows ..................................................................................................... 415
With the Format Menu ..................................................................................................................... 415
Displaying Hidden Columns or Rows ..................................................................................... 415
Example ............................................................................................................................................. 415
With the Format Menu ..................................................................................................................... 416
Worksheet Error Codes and Special Numeric Values ............................................................... 416
Worksheet Specifications..................................................................................................... 417
Editing the Worksheet......................................................................................................... 418
Edit Menu Commands....................................................................................................................... 418
Cut ..................................................................................................................................................... 418
Copy .................................................................................................................................................. 418
Paste.................................................................................................................................................. 419
Paste Special ..................................................................................................................................... 419
Clear .................................................................................................................................................. 420
Insert ................................................................................................................................................. 421
Delete ................................................................................................................................................ 421
Find and Replace ............................................................................................................................... 422
Find Next ........................................................................................................................................... 426
Worksheet Formatting ........................................................................................................ 426
Format Menu Commands ................................................................................................................. 426
Format Cells ...................................................................................................................................... 426
Format Cells - Number ...................................................................................................................... 427
Format Cells - Alignment................................................................................................................... 430
Format Cells - Background ................................................................................................................ 431

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Date Time Formats............................................................................................................................ 432

Column Width ................................................................................................................................... 436
Row Height ........................................................................................................................................ 437
Data Menu Commands ........................................................................................................ 438
Sort .................................................................................................................................................... 439
Transform .......................................................................................................................................... 441
Statistics ............................................................................................................................................ 445
Text To Number ................................................................................................................................ 456
Transpose .......................................................................................................................................... 457
Assign Coordinate System................................................................................................................. 457
Define Coordinate System ................................................................................................................ 462
Define Unreferenced Coordinate System ......................................................................................... 464
New Projected Coordinates .............................................................................................................. 465
Projections ........................................................................................................................ 466
What is a Coordinate System? .......................................................................................................... 466
Ellipsoids ........................................................................................................................................... 466
Datums .............................................................................................................................................. 468
Understanding Local Datums ............................................................................................................ 469
Custom Datum Definition ................................................................................................................. 470
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates................................................................................................. 471
Latitude and Longitude in Decimal Degrees ..................................................................................... 472
Types of Projections .......................................................................................................................... 473
Characteristics of Projections ........................................................................................................... 475
Supported Projections ...................................................................................................................... 477
Projection References ....................................................................................................................... 510
Chapter 19 - Program Options ...................................................... 511
General ............................................................................................................................. 511
Colors ............................................................................................................................... 515
Mouse ............................................................................................................................... 516
Log Path ........................................................................................................................... 517

Chapter 20 - Importing, Exporting, and Printing .......................... 519

Import .............................................................................................................................. 525
The Import Dialog ............................................................................................................................. 525
Data Import Options Dialog .............................................................................................................. 527

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File Formats....................................................................................................................................... 527

Data Types......................................................................................................................................... 527
Loading Multiple Images ................................................................................................................... 528
Image Coordinates ............................................................................................................................ 528
Import - Worksheet Document ............................................................................................. 528
Import Data Dialog ............................................................................................................................ 528
Data Link Properties .......................................................................................................................... 531
Open ................................................................................................................................ 536
The Open Dialog................................................................................................................................ 536
Lattice Import Options Dialog .............................................................................................. 538
Select Format Dialog .......................................................................................................... 540
Save ................................................................................................................................. 541
Save As ............................................................................................................................ 541
The Save As Dialog ............................................................................................................................ 541
Save Data ......................................................................................................................... 542
The Export Dialog .............................................................................................................................. 543
Tips on Saving Data ........................................................................................................................... 544
Save Copy As .................................................................................................................... 545
Export .............................................................................................................................. 546
The Export Dialog .............................................................................................................................. 546
Export Options Dialog ....................................................................................................................... 548
Copy Snapshot .................................................................................................................. 550
Capture Video .................................................................................................................... 550
Capture Video Dialog ........................................................................................................................ 551
Video Capture - Advanced Suggestions ............................................................................................ 552
Page Setup ........................................................................................................................ 554
The Page Setup Dialog ...................................................................................................................... 554
Page Setup - Worksheet ...................................................................................................... 555
Page Setup (Worksheet) - Page ........................................................................................................ 556
Page Setup (Worksheet) - Margins ................................................................................................... 557
Page Setup (Worksheet) - Options.................................................................................................... 559
Print ................................................................................................................................. 561
The Print Dialog................................................................................................................................. 561
Print Dialog - Worksheet ................................................................................................................... 563
Chapter 21 - Editing Modules ........................................................ 565
Edit Menu Commands ......................................................................................................... 565

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Undo ................................................................................................................................ 565

Undo Levels ....................................................................................................................................... 565
Undo Limitations ............................................................................................................................... 565
Redo................................................................................................................................. 565
Clear Undo History ............................................................................................................. 566
Copy................................................................................................................................. 566
Paste ................................................................................................................................ 566
Delete Module .................................................................................................................... 566
When I delete a module, why are all of the downstream modules not deleted? ............................ 567
Delete All Modules .............................................................................................................. 567
Rename Module ................................................................................................................. 567
Colors and Colormaps ......................................................................................................... 568
Color Palette ..................................................................................................................................... 568
Colors Dialog ..................................................................................................................................... 568
Colormap........................................................................................................................................... 572
Colormap Editor ................................................................................................................................ 573
Chapter 22 - Automating Voxler ................................................... 581
Introducing Scripter............................................................................................................ 581
Scripter Windows ............................................................................................................... 581
Code Window.................................................................................................................................... 582
Object and Procedure Lists ............................................................................................................... 582
Immediate Window .......................................................................................................................... 582
Sheet Tabs ......................................................................................................................................... 582
Break Bar ........................................................................................................................................... 582
Status Bar .......................................................................................................................................... 582
Three-Minute Tour .............................................................................................................. 583
Using Scripter .................................................................................................................................... 583
Sample Script Files ............................................................................................................................ 583
Working with Scripts........................................................................................................... 583
New Script ......................................................................................................................................... 583
New Modules .................................................................................................................................... 584
Existing Scripts and Modules ............................................................................................................ 584
Saving Scripts .................................................................................................................................... 584
Closing Scripts ................................................................................................................................... 584
Writing Scripts ................................................................................................................... 584
Running Scripts.................................................................................................................. 585

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

Running Scripts from the Command Line ............................................................................... 586

Passing a Command Line Argument to the Script............................................................................. 586
Debugging Scripts .............................................................................................................. 587
Viewing Errors ................................................................................................................................... 587
Run-Time Errors ................................................................................................................................ 587
Script Runs Incorrectly ...................................................................................................................... 587
Debug.Print ....................................................................................................................................... 587
Stop or Pause .................................................................................................................................... 588
Viewing Variable Values .................................................................................................................... 588
Changing Variable Values.................................................................................................................. 588
Step ................................................................................................................................................... 588
Breakpoint ......................................................................................................................................... 589
Trace.................................................................................................................................................. 589
Stack .................................................................................................................................................. 589
Module Files ...................................................................................................................................... 590
Type Library References ...................................................................................................... 590
Scripter BASIC Language .................................................................................................... 590
Program Statements........................................................................................................... 590
Line Continuation ............................................................................................................... 591
Example ............................................................................................................................................. 591
Comments......................................................................................................................... 591
Example 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 591
Example 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 591
Double Quotes and Text ...................................................................................................... 591
Operators .......................................................................................................................... 591
Flow Control ...................................................................................................................... 591
IF…END IF .......................................................................................................................................... 592
IF…END IF .......................................................................................................................................... 592
SELECT CASE…END SELECT ................................................................................................................ 592
DO…LOOP.......................................................................................................................................... 592
WHILE…WEND................................................................................................................................... 592
FOR…NEXT......................................................................................................................................... 592
FOR EACH…NEXT ............................................................................................................................... 592
Optional Arguments ............................................................................................................ 592
Subroutines and Functions .................................................................................................. 593

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Writing Functions .............................................................................................................................. 594

Built-in Functions and Procedures .................................................................................................... 594
Variables ........................................................................................................................... 595
Object Variables ................................................................................................................. 596
Array Variables .................................................................................................................. 596
User-Defined Types ............................................................................................................ 597
Global Variables ................................................................................................................. 597
Module Types .................................................................................................................... 597
The '#Uses Line ................................................................................................................. 598
Example ............................................................................................................................................. 598
Private and Public Definitions ............................................................................................... 598
Module Properties............................................................................................................... 598
Defining Object Properties and Methods ................................................................................ 599
Class Module Example ........................................................................................................ 599
Creating Dialogs................................................................................................................. 600
UserDialog Items ............................................................................................................... 601
UserDialog Example............................................................................................................ 602
Using Scripter Help............................................................................................................. 603
Suggested Reading - Scripter .............................................................................................. 604
Visual BASIC Compatibility .................................................................................................. 604
Automation Model .............................................................................................................. 605
Application Object .............................................................................................................. 605
Application Property ........................................................................................................... 606
CommandApi Object ........................................................................................................... 607
CommandApi Property ........................................................................................................ 608
Construct Method ............................................................................................................... 608
Import .............................................................................................................................. 609
CreateModules ................................................................................................................... 611
ModifyModule .................................................................................................................... 613
ConnectModules ................................................................................................................. 614
Export .............................................................................................................................. 616
Do Method ........................................................................................................................ 618
DoOnce Method ................................................................................................................. 618
Automation Examples ......................................................................................................... 619
Automation Example - HeightField ........................................................................................ 619
Automation Example - ScatterPlot ........................................................................................ 623
Automation Example - VolRender ......................................................................................... 627
Automation Example - WellData and WellRender .................................................................... 631

Appendix A - File Formats............................................................. 639

File Descriptions ................................................................................................................. 645

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GLOBE DEM Data .?10g File Description........................................................................................... 645

Esri ArcInfo Binary Grid .ADF File Description................................................................................... 647
Amira Mesh .AM, .COL Files .............................................................................................................. 648
ACR-NEMA Medical Image .AN? File Description ............................................................................. 649
Arc/Info ASCII Grid File .ASC, .AIG, .AGR, .GRD Description ............................................................. 650
Amira Stacked Images .ASI File Description ...................................................................................... 652
Band Interleaved .BIL, .BIP, .BSQ File Description ............................................................................ 654
Golden Software Blanking .BLN File Description .............................................................................. 655
Bitmap .BMP Files ............................................................................................................................. 657
Atlas Boundary .BNA File Description ............................................................................................... 657
Color Spectrum CLR File Format ....................................................................................................... 659
CPS-3 Grid .ADX, .DAT, .GRD, .CPS File Description .......................................................................... 661
DAT .CSV, . DAT, . TXT File Description ............................................................................................. 662
ASCII Database .DBF File Description ................................................................................................ 664
SDTS DEM .DDF Files ......................................................................................................................... 664
SDTS Topological Vector Profile and Raster Profile .TVP, .DDF File Description .............................. 665
SDTS Digital Elevation Model .DEM File Description ........................................................................ 667
USGS Digital Elevation Model .DEM File Description........................................................................ 667
DICOM Medical Image .DIC, .DCM, .AN1, .AN2 Files ........................................................................ 669
USGS Digital Line Graph .DLG File Description.................................................................................. 670
USGS ETOPO5 .DOS, .DAT File Description ....................................................................................... 673
DTED .DT0, .DT1, .DT2 Files............................................................................................................... 674
AutoCAD DXF File Description........................................................................................................... 675
Esri Format .E00 Grid File Description .............................................................................................. 678
Esri ArcInfo Export Format .E00 File Description .............................................................................. 678
ER Mapper .ECW File Description ..................................................................................................... 679
Encapsulated PostScript .EPS File Description .................................................................................. 680
ER Mapper Grid .ERS File Description ............................................................................................... 680
AVS Field .FLD Files ........................................................................................................................... 681
Esri Binary Float Grid .FLT, .HDR File Description ............................................................................. 682
Graphics Interchange Format .GIF File Description .......................................................................... 683
GRIB Weather Data Grid File Description ......................................................................................... 685
ASCII Grid File Format ....................................................................................................................... 686

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Geosoft Binary Grid .GRD File Description ........................................................................................ 687

Surfer Grid File .GRD Files ................................................................................................................. 688
Surfer 6 Grid File Format................................................................................................................... 689
Surfer 7 Grid File Format................................................................................................................... 690
Golden Software Boundary .GSB File Description ............................................................................ 692
Golden Software Interchange .GSI File Description .......................................................................... 693
Golden Software Reference Files ...................................................................................................... 693
Grid Exchange .GXF File Description ................................................................................................. 693
Hierarchical Data Format .HDF File Description ............................................................................... 695
Analyze 7.5 Medical Image .HDR, .IMG Files .................................................................................... 696
GTopo30 .HDR, .STX, .DEM File Description ..................................................................................... 697
HGT NASA SRTM Grid Data File Description ..................................................................................... 698
Image (Bitmap) File Description........................................................................................................ 699
ERDAS Imagine .IMG File Description ............................................................................................... 702
Leica Confocal Scanning .INFO Files .................................................................................................. 702
Inventor .IV Files ............................................................................................................................... 703
JP2 JPG 2000 File Interchange Format .JP2, J2K, .JPC, .JPT, .JPEG2000, .J2000 File Description ...... 704
JPEG Compressed Bitmap .JPG, .JPEG Files....................................................................................... 704
Google Earth Keyhole Markup .KML and. KMZ File Description....................................................... 705
LAS File Description ........................................................................................................................... 706
LAS LiDAR Binary File Description ..................................................................................................... 706
Iris Explorer .LAT Files ....................................................................................................................... 708
NetCDF .NC File Description.............................................................................................................. 709
MapInfo Interchange Format .MIF File Description.......................................................................... 709
Microsoft Access .ACCDB and .MDB File Description ....................................................................... 710
ZSoft Paintbrush .PCX File Description.............................................................................................. 710
Adobe Portable Document Format .PDF File Description................................................................. 711
Golden Software PlotCall .PLT File Description................................................................................. 712
Stanford Polygon .PLY Files ............................................................................................................... 713
Portable Network Graphic .PNG File Description ............................................................................. 715
Portable Any Map .PNM File Description ......................................................................................... 716
PLOT-3D .P3D, .XYZ Files ................................................................................................................... 716
Sun Raster Image .RAS, .SUN Files .................................................................................................... 717

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

RAW Binary Lattice .RAW, .BIN File Description ............................................................................... 718

Silicon Graphics (SGI) RGB Image .RGB, .RGBA, .BW Files ................................................................ 719
Idrisi Raster Image .RST, .IMG File Description ................................................................................. 720
.SP1 SEG Standard Data Exchange File Description .......................................................................... 720
SEG-Y Seismic Data Log .SGY, .SEGY Files.......................................................................................... 721
Esri Shapefile .SHP File Description................................................................................................... 722
LizardTech MrSID .SID File Description ............................................................................................. 726
Sylk Spreadsheet .SLK Files ............................................................................................................... 727
Metamorph .STK File Description ..................................................................................................... 728
Truevision Targa .TGA File Description ............................................................................................. 728
Tagged Image File Format .TIF, .TIF File Description ........................................................................ 729
Voxler Data .VDAT Files..................................................................................................................... 730
Voxler Project .VOXB Files................................................................................................................. 731
Visualization Toolkit .VTK Files .......................................................................................................... 731
AVSX .X, .XIMG Files .......................................................................................................................... 732
Excel Spreadsheet .XLS, .XLSM, and .XLSX Files ................................................................................ 733
XYZ Grid .DAT File Description .......................................................................................................... 734
Z-MAP Plus Grid .ASC, .DAT, .GRD, .XYZ, .ZMAP, .ZYC, .ZYCOR File Description ............................... 734
Import Options Dialogs ....................................................................................................... 735
Data Import Options Dialog .............................................................................................................. 735
Lattice Import Options Dialog ........................................................................................................... 738
Microsoft Access .ACCDB and .MDB Import Options Dialog ............................................................ 740
DICOM Import Options Dialog .......................................................................................................... 742
SDTS Topological Vector Profile .TVP Import Options Dialog ........................................................... 742
USGS Digital Line Graph .DLG, .LGO, .LGS Import Options Dialog .................................................... 744
AutoCAD DXF Import Options Dialog ................................................................................................ 749
Esri ArcInfo Export Format .E00 Import Options Dialog ................................................................... 752
ER Mapper .ECW Import Options Dialog .......................................................................................... 753
GRIB Import Options Dialog .............................................................................................................. 755
LAS Import Options Dialog ................................................................................................................ 755
LiDAR Import Filtering Dialog ............................................................................................................ 757
NC NetCDF Import Options Dialog .................................................................................................... 759
PDF Import Options Dialog ............................................................................................................... 760

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PLOT3D Import Options Dialog ......................................................................................................... 761

RAW Import Options Dialog .............................................................................................................. 763
SEG P1 Import Options Dialog........................................................................................................... 764
SEGY Import Options Dialog.............................................................................................................. 766
LizardTech MrSID .SID Import Options Dialog .................................................................................. 769
Excel .XLSX Import Options Dialog .................................................................................................... 770
Excel .XLS Import Options Dialog ...................................................................................................... 771
Export Options Dialogs........................................................................................................ 772
Data Export Options Dialog ............................................................................................................... 772
Export Options Dialog ....................................................................................................................... 773
Amira Mesh .AM, .COL Export Options ............................................................................................. 776
Golden Software Blanking .BLN Export Options Dialog .................................................................... 777
USGS Digital Elevation Model .DEM Export Options Dialog ............................................................. 778
AutoCAD DXF Export Options Dialog ................................................................................................ 780
Encapsulated PostScript .EPS Export Options Dialog ........................................................................ 782
AVS Field .FLD Export Options Dialog ............................................................................................... 784
Graphics Interchange Format .GIF Export Options Dialog ................................................................ 785
Grid Exchange .GXF Export Options Dialog ....................................................................................... 786
Hierarchical Data Format .HDF Export Options Dialog ..................................................................... 787
Analyze 7.5 Medical Image .HDR, .IMG Export Options Dialog ........................................................ 788
JPEG Image Export Options Dialog.................................................................................................... 789
Export Options Dialog - JPEG-2000 Options Page ............................................................................. 791
Iris Explorer .LAT Export Options Dialog ........................................................................................... 791
PLOT3D Export Options Dialog ......................................................................................................... 793
Portable Network Graphic .PNG Export Options Dialog ................................................................... 794
Raw Export Options Dialog ............................................................................................................... 795
Select Slices Dialog ............................................................................................................................ 797
TIFF Image Export Options Dialog ..................................................................................................... 797
Visual Tool Kit .VTK Export Options Dialog ....................................................................................... 799
Excel .XLS Export Options Dialog....................................................................................................... 800
Automation Import Options ................................................................................................. 801
Esri ArcInfo Binary Grid .ADF Import Automation Options............................................................... 803
Microsoft Access .ACCDB Import Automation Options .................................................................... 803

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Amira Mesh .AM, .COL Import Automation Options ........................................................................ 804

Analyze 7.5 Medical Image .IMG Import Automation Options......................................................... 805
Arc/Info ASCII Grid File .ASC, .AIG, .AGR, .GRD Import Automation Options .................................. 806
AVS Field .FLD Import Automation Options...................................................................................... 807
AVSX .X, .XIMG Import Automation Options .................................................................................... 808
Golden Software Blanking .BLN Import Automation Options .......................................................... 809
Bitmap .BMP Import Automation Options ....................................................................................... 809
Atlas Boundary [.BNA] Import Automation Options......................................................................... 810
Band Interleaved .BIL, .BIP, .BSQ Import Automation Options ........................................................ 810
CPS-3 Grid .ASC, .ADX, .DAT, .GRD, .CPS, .CPS3 Import Automation Options .................................. 812
.CSV Import Automation Options ..................................................................................................... 813
.DAT Import Automation Options ..................................................................................................... 814
ASCII Database .DBF Import Automation Options ............................................................................ 816
USGS Digital Elevation Model .DEM Import Automation Options.................................................... 816
DICOM Medical Image .DIC, .DCM, .AN1, .AN2 Import Automation Options .................................. 817
USGS Digital Line Graph .DLG, .LGO, .LGS Import Automation Options ........................................... 818
DTED .DT0, .DT1, .DT2 Import Automation Options ......................................................................... 821
AutoCAD .DXF Import Automation Options...................................................................................... 821
Esri ArcInfo Export Format .E00 Import Automation Options .......................................................... 822
ER Mapper [.ECW] Import Automation Options ............................................................................... 823
ER Mapper Grid .ERS Import Automation Options ........................................................................... 824
USGS ETOPO5 .DOS, .DAT Import Automation Options ................................................................... 824
Esri Binary Float Grid .FLT, .HDR Import Automation Options ......................................................... 825
Geosoft Binary Grid .GRD, .GGF Import Automation Options .......................................................... 825
Graphics Interchange Format .GIF Import Automation Options ...................................................... 826
GLOBE DEM Data .?10g Import Automation Options ....................................................................... 827
GRIB Global Weather Data Grid Import Automation Options .......................................................... 828
Golden Software Boundary .GSB Import Automation Options ........................................................ 828
Golden Software Interchange .GSI Import Automation Options ...................................................... 828
GTopo30 .HDR, .STX, .DEM Import Automation Options ................................................................. 829
Grid Exchange .GXF Import Automation Options ............................................................................. 830
Hierarchical Data Format .HDF Import Automation Options ........................................................... 830
Inventor .IV Import Automation Options.......................................................................................... 831

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JPEG Compressed Bitmap .JPG, .JPEG Import Automation Options ................................................. 831
JPEG-2000 File Interchange Format .JP2 Import Automation Options............................................. 832
.LAS Import Automation Options ...................................................................................................... 832
LAS LiDAR Binary File Import Automation Options........................................................................... 834
Iris Explorer .LAT Import Automation Options ................................................................................. 835
Leica Confocal Scanning .INFO Import Automation Options ............................................................ 835
Microsoft Access .MDB Import Automation Options ....................................................................... 836
MapInfo Interchange Format .MIF Import Automation Options...................................................... 837
DICOM Medical Image .DIC, .DCM, .AN1, .AN2 Import Automation Options .................................. 837
NetCDF .NC File Import Automation Options ................................................................................... 838
PLOT-3D .P3D, .XYZ Import Automation Options ............................................................................. 838
ZSoft Paintbrush .PCX Import Automation Options.......................................................................... 839
PDF Adobe Import Automation Options ........................................................................................... 840
Golden Software PlotCall .PLT Import Automation Options............................................................. 841
Stanford Polygon .PLY Import Automation Options ......................................................................... 841
Portable Network Graphic .PNG Import Automation Options ......................................................... 842
Portable Bitmap .PBM, .PGM, .PPM, .PNM Import Automation Options ........................................ 842
RAW Binary Lattice .RAW, .BIN Import Automation Options ........................................................... 843
Idrisi Raster Image .RST, .IMG Import Automation Options ............................................................. 845
USGS Digital Elevation Model .DEM Import Automation Options.................................................... 846
SDTS Topological Vector Profile and Raster Profile .TVP, .DDF Import Automation Options .......... 846
SEG-Y Seismic Data Log .SGY, .SEGY Import Automation Options .................................................... 847
Silicon Graphics (SGI) RGB Image .RGB, .RGBA, .BW Import Automation Options .......................... 849
Surfer Grid .GRD Import Automation Options .................................................................................. 849
Esri Shapefile .SHP Import Automation Options............................................................................... 850
LizardTech MrSID .SID Import Automation Options ......................................................................... 851
Sylk Spreadsheet .SLK Import Automation Options.......................................................................... 853
Amira Stacked Images .ASI Import Automation Options .................................................................. 853
Metamorph .STK Import Automation Options ................................................................................. 854
Sun Raster Image .RAS, .SUN Import Automation Options .............................................................. 854
Truevision Targa .TGA Import Automation Options ......................................................................... 855
Tagged Image File Format .TIF, .TIFF Import Automation Options................................................... 856
Text Data .TXT Import Automation Options ..................................................................................... 856

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Voxler Data .VDAT Import Automation Options ............................................................................... 858

Visualization Toolkit .VTK Import Automation Options .................................................................... 858
Excel Spreadsheet .XLS Import Automation Options........................................................................ 859
Excel Spreadsheet .XLSX Import Automation Options...................................................................... 860
Z-MAP Plus Grid .ASC, .DAT, .GRD, .XYZ, .ZMAP, .ZYC, .ZYCOR Import Automation Options ........... 860
Automation Export Options .................................................................................................. 861
Esri ArcInfo Binary Grid .ADF Export Automation Options ............................................................... 862
Amira Mesh Format .AM, .COL Export Automation Options ............................................................ 863
Analyze 7.5 Medical Image Format .IMG Export Automation Options ............................................ 864
Esri ASCII Grid Format .ASC, .AIG, .AGR, .GRD Export Automation Options ..................................... 864
AVS Field Format .FLD Export Automation Options ......................................................................... 866
AVS X-Image Format .X, .XIMG Export Automation Options ............................................................ 866
Golden Software BLN File Format .BLN Export Automation Options ............................................... 869
Windows Bitmap File Format .BMP Export Automation Options..................................................... 870
Atlas Boundary File Format .BNA Export Automation Options ........................................................ 872
Banded Lattice File Format .BIL, .BIP, .BSQ Export Automation Options ......................................... 872
Comma Separated Variable File Format .CSV Export Automation Options...................................... 873
Golden Software Data File Format .DAT Export Automation Options.............................................. 874
USGS DEM File Format .DEM Export Automation Options ............................................................... 875
AutoCAD DXF Export Automation Options ....................................................................................... 876
Encapsulated PostScript File Format .EPS Export Automation Options ........................................... 877
ER Mapper Grid File Format .ERS Export Automation Options ........................................................ 879
Esri Float Grid File Format .FLT Export Automation Options ............................................................ 880
Geosoft Binary Grid File Format .GGF, .GRD Export Automation Options ....................................... 881
GIF Image File Format .GIF Export Automation Options .................................................................. 882
Grid eXchange File Format .GXF Export Automation Options .......................................................... 884
Hierarchical Data File Format .HDF Export Automation Options ..................................................... 885
SGI OpenInventor File Format .IV Export Automation Options ........................................................ 886
JPEG Compressed Bitmap File Format .JPG Export Automation Options ......................................... 886
JPEG-2000 File Interchange Format .JP2 Export Automation Options ............................................. 888
Iris Explorer File Format .LAT Export Automation Options ............................................................... 890
Plot 3D File Format .P3D, .XYZ Export Automation Options ............................................................. 891
ZSoft Paintbrush File Format .PCX Export Automation Options ....................................................... 892

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Raster PDF File Format .PDF Export Automation Options ................................................................ 893
Portable Network Graphic File Format .PNG Export Automation Options....................................... 895
Image File Format .PNM, .PPM, .PGM, .PBM Export Automation Options ...................................... 897
RAW Binary Lattice File Format .RAW, .BIN Export Automation Options ........................................ 899
SGI-RGB Image File Format .RGB, .RGBA, .BW Export Automation Options .................................... 899
Sun Image File Format .RAS, .SUN Export Automation Options ....................................................... 901
Golden Software Surfer 6 ASCII Grid File Format .GRD Export Automation Options ....................... 903
Golden Software Surfer 6 Binary Grid File Format .GRD Export Automation Options ..................... 903
Golden Software Surfer 7 Binary Grid File Format .GRD Export Automation Options ..................... 904
SYLK Spreadsheet File Format .SLK Export Automation Options ...................................................... 905
Targa True Vision Image File Format .TGA Export Automation Options .......................................... 905
Tagged Image File Format .TIF, .TIFF Export Automation Options ................................................... 907
Text Data File Format .TXT Export Automation Options................................................................... 909
Golden Software Voxler Data File Format .VDAT Export Automation Options ................................ 910
Visualization Toolkit File Format .VTK Export Automation Options ................................................. 911
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet File Format .XLS Export Automation Options .................................... 911
XYZ Grid File Format .DAT Export Automation Options.................................................................... 912
Appendix B - Mathematical Functions ........................................... 915
Index ............................................................................................ 922

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Introduction to Voxler®
Welcome to Voxler, a three-dimensional scientific visualization program oriented primarily toward
volumetric rendering and three-dimensional data display. While the emphasis is on three-
dimensional volumes, Voxler can also utilize two-dimensional grids including DEM files, images,
and scattered point data. Voxler can display streamlines, vector plots, contour maps, isosurfaces,
image slices, three-dimensional scatter plots, direct volume rendering, 3D blocks, well traces, and
more. Computational modules include three-dimensional gridding, resampling, numerous lattice
operations, and image processing. Voxler is designed for displaying XYZC data, where C is a
variable at each X, Y, and Z location.

With Voxler, you can create stunning graphics output for your true three-dimensional models.
Models can be sliced, displayed at any angle, and even animated with a simple mouse movement.
Standard or custom colorization can be applied to the models.

Create stunning 3D graphics like this one by

combining multiple map types. This example shows
a vector plot, stream lines, and a bounding box.

Who Uses Voxler?

People from many different disciplines use Voxler. The geosciences generate large amounts of
volumetric data from drill cores, seismic studies, ground penetrating radar, subsurface mapping,
and remote sensing. Another source of data is from medical imaging generated by CT and MRI
scans. Meteorological data, high-resolution microscopy, flow fields, and groundwater modeling are
also sources for volumetric data. Voxler users include archeologists, climatologists, educators,
engineers, doctors, hydrogeologists, geologists, geophysicists, medical researchers, students, and
more. Anyone wanting to visualize the relationship of their three-dimensional data with stunning
graphical output will benefit from Voxler's powerful features!

1
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System Requirements
The minimum system requirements for Voxler are:
• Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Vista, 7, 8 (excluding RT), 10, or higher
• 512 MB RAM minimum for simple data sets, 1 GB RAM recommended
• At least 500 MB free hard disk space
• 1024 x 768 or higher monitor resolution with a minimum 16-bit color depth
• Video card with OpenGL acceleration highly recommended

Voxler system requirements can also be found at:

http://www.goldensoftware.com/products/voxler#system-requirements.

Welcome to Voxler Help

There are several ways to obtain help in Voxler:

Getting Help from the Help Menu

Within Voxler, the online help file is opened with the Help | Contents or Help | Tutorial
commands. Alternatively, press F1 at anytime to open the Voxler Help window and access the help
books and help pages.

Navigating the Help

You can navigate the Voxler Help window using the Contents, Index, Search, and Favorites
pages. See Help Contents for details on navigating the Voxler Help window.

Obtaining Information about Dialogs and Commands

To obtain information about dialogs or highlighted commands:
• Press the F1 button to find out the function of the highlighted menu command or open
dialogs.

• Click the button in dialogs to open the help topic pertaining to that dialog.
• Determine the function of highlighted menu commands or open dialogs by pressing F1.

• Click the button or press SHIFT+F1 on your keyboard, and click a menu command,
toolbar button, or screen region to view information about that item.

• Click the button at the top of the Property Manager to obtain specific information
about the selected object type.

Internet Help Resources

There are several Internet help resources.

• Click the or buttons at the top of the online help to research a

question or to post a question.
• Use the Help | Feedback commands to send a Problem Report, Suggestion, or Information
Request by email.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

• Search our website at www.goldensoftware.com or use the Help | Golden Software on the
Web commands for additional help, including training videos.
• The Golden Software website has a variety of resources including training videos, a support
forum, a newsletter, a user image gallery, and a variety of free downloads.

What’s New in Voxler

Discover the new features in Voxler 4 that make the product easier to use. New features are also
listed on the Golden Software website.

Complete the Voxler Tutorial

The tutorial is a great way to get started in Voxler. The tutorial is designed to introduce you to
some of Voxler's basic features. After you have completed the tutorial, you should be able to begin
creating your own projects. The lessons should be completed in order; however, they do not need
to be completed in one session. If you are using the demo version of Voxler, you will not be able to
complete some of the tutorial steps that require saving or exporting. The demo version is a fully
functional read-only version of the program. When this is a factor it is noted in the text and you are
directed to proceed to the next step that can be accomplished with the demo.

Voxler Documentation
All of the available Voxler user documentation is included in the online help and the quick start
guide. Check the Voxler support forum, FAQs, knowledge base, and technical support for additional
information.

If you prefer printed documentation, the online help file can be printed in part or in full. See
Printing the Online Help for more information.

For a full length guide that is arranged in a book-format with an index and table of contents, it is
recommended that you purchase the additional user's guide. You can place your order for this guide
on our website at www.goldensoftware.com.

A Note About the Documentation

The Voxler documentation includes the online help and the quick start guide. Use the Help |
Contents command in the program to access the detailed online help. Information about each
command and feature in Voxler is included in the online help. In the event the information cannot
be located in the online help, other sources of Voxler help include our support forum, frequently
asked questions, knowledge base, and contacting our technical support engineers.

Various font styles are used throughout the Voxler quick start guide and online help. Bold text
indicates menu commands, dialog names, and page names. Italic text indicates items within a
dialog such as modules, group box names, options, and field names. For example, the Import
dialog contains a Look in list. Bold and italic text may occasionally be used for emphasis.

In addition, menu commands appear as File | Import. This means, "click on the File menu at the
top of the plot window and then click on Import within the File menu list." The first word is always
the menu name, followed by the commands within the menu list.

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Welcome to Voxler Dialog

The Welcome to Voxler dialog is displayed when you first start Voxler. The Welcome to Voxler
dialog provides immediate access to the File | New | Network, File | New | Worksheet, and
File | Import commands, sample files, recent files, project files, and the tutorial. The Welcome to
Voxler dialog also displays a tip about using Voxler. Resize the Welcome to Voxler dialog by
clicking and dragging any side or corner of the dialog.

The Welcome to Voxler dialog helps you get started quickly in Voxler.

New Project
Click the Project button to start Voxler with a new blank project.

New Worksheet
Click the Worksheet button to start Voxler with a new worksheet open in the worksheet window.

Import into a New Project

Click the Import button to start Voxler with a new project and the Import dialog open. This button
is useful since File | Import is often one of the first commands you will use in a new project.

Open Files and File Preview

The Files section of the Welcome to Voxler dialog displays Voxler Network VOXB files in one of
three categories. Click the current selection in the Files Type list, and select Recent Files, Sample
Files, or Project Files to change which files are displayed in the Files section. The Files Type
selection is remembered the next time Voxler is started.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

Click a file name to see a preview image in the Welcome to Voxler dialog. The preview is only
available for Voxler 4 .VOXB files. Click on another file or press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW
keys to change the file selection. Once a file is selected, the Open button is enabled. Click the Open
button to start Voxler with the selected file open in the viewer window. Alternatively, double-click
on a file name to start Voxler with the selected file open in the viewer window.

If the file you wish to open is not in the Recent Files, Sample Files, or Project Files list, select
Browse in the Files Type list. Next, select the file to open in the Open dialog.

Recent Files
When Recent Files is selected in the Files Type list, the most recently opened Voxler files are
displayed in the Files list. By default the number of files in the Recent Files list is 4. Change the
number of files in the Recent Files list in the Options dialog General page.

Sample Files
When Sample Files is selected in the Files Type list, the sample files included with Voxler are
displayed in the Files list.

Project Files
When Project Files is selected in the Files Type list, the Voxler files located in the user defined
project folder are displayed in the Files list. Change the project folder by clicking the Set Project
Folder button and selecting the appropriate folder in the Select Folder dialog. Alternatively, the
Project folder option can be set in the Options dialog General page. However, if the project folder
is set in the Options dialog, Voxler must be closed and reopened for the changes to take effect.

Browse
Select Browse in the Files Type list to open a file with the Open dialog.

Tip
The Tip is a useful statement regarding a Voxler command or process.

Open
Click the Open button to start Voxler with the selected file in the Files list in the plot window. The
Open button is enabled when a file is selected in the Files list.

Set Project Folder

Change the project folder by clicking the Set Project Folder button and selecting the appropriate
folder in the Select Folder dialog. The Browse for Folder dialog will open for users with the
Windows XP operating system. The Files Type selection is changed to Project Files after changing
the project folder. If you click Cancel in the Select Folder dialog, the Files Type selection is not
changed.

Tutorials
Click the Tutorials button to open the online help Tutorial Introduction help topic. The tutorial is a
useful starting place for users who are new to Voxler 4.

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Disabling the Welcome to Voxler Dialog

Uncheck the Show this dialog at start up check box to start Voxler without displaying the
Welcome to Voxler dialog in the future. The Welcome to Voxler dialog can be enabled or
disabled by checking or unchecking the Show welcome on startup check box in the Options dialog
General page.

Close

Click the Close button, the button, or press ESC to close the Welcome to Voxler dialog and
start Voxler with a new network.

Three-Minute Tour
We have included several sample files with Voxler so that you can quickly see some of Voxler's
capabilities. The sample files do not include all of Voxler's many data types, modules, and
features. After opening a sample file, the Network Manager is a good source of information as to
what is included in each file. Sample files are located at C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Voxler
4\Samples, by default.

Sample files are a great way to quickly display projects made in

Voxler by Golden Software. Browse the sample files to get ideas
and view different possibilities that Voxler has to offer. Sample
files can be customized and saved to a new location.

View Sample Voxler Files

To view the example files using the Module Manager:
1. Open Voxler.
2. Choose the View | Managers | Module Manager
command to display the Module Manager, if it is not
already displayed. A check mark indicates the manager is
visible. The Module Manager is located on the left side of
the window by default. The sample files are located in the
Samples folder at the top of the Module Manager.
3. Double-click on a sample file, such as Torus (Isosurface) to
open the file and display the objects in the Viewer window.
Each time you double-click on a file, the new file opens in
the Viewer window and the previous file closes.

The Module Manager is one

Alternatively, use the File | Open command to open location
example .VOXB files. to access sample files.

Using Voxler
To create a three-dimensional model in Voxler, you will need to start with data. Voxler supports
several different data types. Modules are attached to data in order to display the data or make
adjustments to the data. Alternatively, data can be gridded to be displayed as isosurfaces, height
fields, and image slices. The type of data loaded determines what kind of operations can be
performed on it. For detailed information about each type of data, refer to the Data Types help
page. Refer to the Introduction to Modules help page for more information on the types of
operations that can be performed.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

1. Open Voxler.
2. Click the File | Import command.
3. In the Import dialog, select the data file and click Open .
4. In the Data Import Options dialog, set the file format options. You can select Delimiters
and how to treat text. Click OK.
5. The data loads into Voxler and is displayed as a data module in the Network Manager. If
you do not see the Network Manager, click the View | Managers | Network Manager
command. A check mark indicates the manager is open. Adding modules to the data set will
create a visualization pipeline in the Network Manager that will allow you to create the
output you desire.
6. Right-click the data module and select Graphics Output | ScatterPlot. The output is
displayed in the Viewer Window.
7. Select the ScatterPlot module in the Network Manager and the properties are displayed in
the Property Manager. Adjust the properties as desired.
8. Choose the File | Save As command. Enter a File name in the Save As dialog and click the
Save button to save your Voxler project.
The tutorial lessons contain detailed instructions on using Voxler. It is highly recommended that
you complete the tutorial before beginning work in Voxler. Advanced tutorial lessons are also
available and recommended.

Using Scripter
Tasks can be automated in Voxler using Golden Software's Scripter program or any ActiveX
Automation-compatible client, such as Visual BASIC. A script is a text file containing a series of
instructions for execution when the script is run. Scripter can be used to perform almost any task
in Voxler. You can do practically everything with a script that you can do manually with the mouse
or from your keyboard. Scripts are useful for automating repetitive tasks and consolidating a
sequence of steps. Scripter is installed in the same location as Voxler. Refer to the Voxler
Automation help book for more information about Scripter. We have included several example
scripts so that you can quickly see some of Scripter's capabilities.

Sample Script Files

A variety of automation examples are available. You can run the script as is or you can customize
the script. Example scripts are located at C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Voxler
4\Samples\Scripts, by default.

To run a sample script in Scripter:

1. Open Scripter by navigating to the installation folder, C:\Program Files\Golden
Software\Voxler 4\Scripter. Double-click on the Scripter.EXE application file.
2. Click the File | Open command and select a sample script .BAS file in the C:\Program
Files\Golden Software\Voxler 4\Samples\Scripts folder.
3. Use the Script | Run command and the script is executed.

Voxler User Interface Overview

Voxler uses multi-threading to keep the user interface responsive, even with computationally
intensive background tasks. The user interface architecture is based on a multiple tabbed
documents model. This allows multiple project and worksheet documents to be open
simultaneously.

Voxler uses a visualization network to represent data, processing paths, and output. All data and
modules for the current project are visible in the Network Manager. Select a module to modify
the module properties in the Property Manager. The graphical output from a module is displayed
in the Viewer window. The Network Manager, Module Manager, Property Manager, and

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Viewer window are discussed in more detail in the Voxler User Interface help topic. Voxler files
can be saved, exported to a variety of file formats, or recorded using the capture video command.

Several data types can be loaded into Voxler. Once the

data are loaded, you can select modules applicable to
the data. The data can be visualized and exported.

Voxler User Interface

The Voxler user interface layout consists of the title bar, menu bar, toolbars, Module Manager,
Network Manager, Property Manager, Viewer window, and status bar. Click on a portion of the
image to go to a detailed help page about that component of the user interface.

The Voxler user interface includes several toolbars and windows.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

The following table summarizes the function of each component of the user interface.

Component Name Component Function

Title Bar The title bar lists the program name plus the saved
Voxler .VOXB file name (if any). An asterisk (*) after the
file name indicates the file has been modified.
Menu Bar The menu bar contains the commands used to run
Voxler.
Toolbars The toolbars contain Voxler tool buttons, which are
usually shortcuts to menu commands. Move the cursor
over each button to display a screen tip describing the
command. Toolbars can be docked or floating.
Module Manager The Module Manager lists example files and provides
quick access to modules. The Module Manager is
initially docked on the far left side of the screen.
Network Manager The Network Manager displays the visualization
network, consisting of loaded data files, modules, and
connections. The Network Manager is initially docked in
the middle top position of the screen.
Property Manager The Property Manager displays the properties of the
module currently selected in the Network Manager. The
Property Manager is initially docked in the middle
bottom position on the screen.
Viewer Window The Viewer window contains the graphics output as
directed by the modules in the Network Manager. The
Viewer window is initially located to the far right side of
the screen.
Status Bar The status bar shows information about the activity in
Voxler. The status bar is divided into three sections. The
left section displays help messages and progress text.
The middle section displays a progress gauge for various
tasks, such as loading large data files. The right section
displays the window size and the estimated time
remaining for long tasks.

Changing the Window Layout

The windows display in a docked view by default; however, they can also be displayed as floating
windows. To change the position of a docked window, click the title bar of the window and drag it to
a new location. A thin solid black rectangle indicates that the window is docked in the new location.
A thick light gray rectangle indicates that the new location is floating. Double-click the window’s
title bar to toggle between floating and docked modes. See Changing the Window Layout for
additional information.

Working With Voxler Windows

By default, the Module Manager is displayed docked to the left side of the Voxler application
window, the Network Manager is displayed at the upper center, the Property Manager is
displayed at the lower center, the Status Bar is displayed at the bottom , and the Viewer window
is displayed at the right, as shown in the Voxler User Interface topic.

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Opening and Closing a Window

If a window is not visible, click the appropriate View | Managers menu command. If there is not a
check mark next to a particular manager name, Voxler does not display that window. Click the
manager name to make that manager visible. If there is a check mark next to a manager name and
the manager is not visible, the manager may be located off-screen or tabbed behind another
window. See Changing the Window Layout for more information about displaying managers. Check
or uncheck the manager name in the View | Manager menu to show or hide the manager.

If there is not a check mark to the

left of a command name in the
View menu, then the window is not
displayed. A check mark indicates
the window is displayed.

To close a window, click the button or uncheck the manager name in the View menu. Right-click
on the following objects to add or remove a check mark and show or hide any of the windows:
• the Network Manager title bar;
• the Module Manager title bar;
• the Property Manager title bar or any area outside the white list of properties;
• the toolbars; or
• the menu bar.

Resizing a Window
Change the size of a window by moving the mouse to the edge of the window. The cursor changes
to one of the following cursors:

• docked window horizontal and vertical resizing cursors

• floating window horizontal and vertical resizing cursors

Click and drag the cursors to change the window size or shape.

Changing The Window Layout

The Voxler managers, toolbars, and menu bar display in a docked view by default; however, they
can also be displayed as floating windows. The visibility, size, and position of each item may also be
changed.

Visibility
Use the View | Toolbars, View | Status Bar, View | Managers | Network Manager, View |
Managers | Property Manager, and View | Managers | Module Manager commands to turn
these components on or off.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

Docked View

To dock a manager or toolbar in a new location, click the grip bar along the edge, hold down the
left mouse button, and then drag to a new location.

Floating Window
To display as a floating window, drag the bar away from a window edge. Alternatively, double-click
on the window title to toggle between having the window docked and floating.

Restore Previous Position

To restore the original docked position, either double-click on the title bar or click and hold the left
mouse button on the title bar and drag the window back to the desired docked location.

Restore Original Position

To restore the default size and position of all managers and toolbars, click the View | Reset
Windows command. This command is especially handy if your windows or managers become
hidden for any reason.

You must restart Voxler in order for this command to take effect. Click Yes in the dialog, close the
program, and reopen Voxler. The managers are now in the default locations. To cancel the
command, click No in the dialog.

Changing Location From Docked to Floating Windows

Voxler windows display in a docked view by default. They can be detached to display as floating
windows. To change the position of a docked Module Manager, Network Manager, or Property
Manager, click the window title bar and drag it to a new location. Alternatively, double-click the
window's title bar to toggle between floating and docked modes.

Docking Mechanism
All of the User interface style selections in the Options dialog display a docking mechanism. To
move a manager, left-click the title bar and drag it to a new location while holding down the left
mouse button. The docking mechanism displays with arrow indicators as you move the manager.
The Visual Studio 2008, Office 2010 Black, Office 2010 Blue, and Office 2010 Silver styles use the
mechanism on the right in the image below. The other styles use the mechanism on the left.

The docking mechanism allows easy docking of windows.

When the cursor touches one of the docking indicators in the docking mechanism, a blue rectangle
shows the window docking position. Release the left mouse button to allow the window to be
docked in the specific location.

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In this example, the docking mechanism is being used to position the Property Manager
back in its default location.

Creating Stacked and Tabbed Windows

You can view the windows in a stacked or tabbed configuration.

Stacked Windows
If you want to "stack" the windows:
1. Drag one window on top of another window.
2. Position the cursor in either the top or bottom box in the docking mechanism. The screen will
turn blue where the manager is to be positioned.

Tabbed Windows
To create tabbed windows:
1. Drag one window on top of another window.
2. Position the cursor in the center of the docking mechanism. The screen will turn blue where
the manager is to be positioned. You should see a small tab at the bottom of the managers.

To return to individual windows from tabbed view:

1. Click on the window's name on the tab.
2. Drag the tab to a new location.

Hold down the left mouse button on a window's

tab and drag the window to a new location
to separate the tabbed windows.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

Auto-Hide Windows
You can increase Viewer window space by minimizing the other
windows with Auto Hide. To hide a docked window, click on the
button in the upper right corner of the Module Manager, Network
Manager, or Property Manager windows. Hold the CTRL key down
and click the button to auto hide several docked windows in the
same "container." The window hides on the left or right side of
Voxler with a small tab containing the window name.

When hidden, the window slides under the left or right side of the
Voxler main window where it is docked and a tab appears with the This example shows the
window name. Position the mouse pointer over the tab to view the Module Manager.
contents of the window. Move your mouse away from the window and Notice the
the window "hides" again. Click inside the window to anchor it at its pin button is vertical
indicating
current position. Click in another window to release the anchor and
"show" mode.
hide the window.

When the button is pressed, the

window (Module Manager in this example)
is hidden on the left side of the screen.

To view the window, place the cursor directly over the tab. Click in the displayed window to keep it
open for use. Move the mouse away from the window or click outside the window to return the
window to the hidden position. Click on the button in the upper right corner of a window to
return it to the normal display mode and disable the auto hide feature.

When a window is hidden, place

the cursor over the title on the tab to display
the full window. Notice the pin button is
horizontal indicating "hide" mode.

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Tabbed Documents
All open Voxler worksheet documents and Viewer windows are displayed as tabbed documents
when the Tools | Options Tab style is set to a style other than None. When more than one
window is open, tabs appear at the top of the Viewer window area, allowing you to click on a tab to
switch to that window.

Network and worksheet documents can be saved or closed from the context menu by right-clicking
on the document tab and selected Save or Close.

Tab Behavior
When viewing in tabbed document mode, the tabs may be dragged to reorder them. Left-click on a
tab, hold the left mouse button, drag to a new location, and release the mouse button to move the
tab to a new location.

To move to the next tab, press CTRL + F6 to move to the next tab.

The and buttons on the sides of the tabs are used to scroll the tabs if there are more tabs
than can fit along the top of the window.

Click the button on the right of the tab to close the selected document.

Unsaved Changes
When a document contains unsaved changes, an asterisk (*) appears next to its tabbed name. The
asterisk disappears once the unsaved changes have been saved.

The Gold (ScatterPlot).voxb file has unsaved

changes, indicated by the (*) asterisk.

Tab Style
The style of the tab can be changed by clicking the Tools | Options and setting the Tab style.
Select a new tab style from the Tab style drop-down list.

No Tabs
Tabs can be turned off by clicking the Tools | Options and setting the Tab style. Select None from
the Tab style drop-down list.

Resize Window
Change the size of a window by moving the mouse to the edge of the window. The cursor changes

to the horizontal ( ) or vertical ( ) resizing cursor. Click and drag the cursor to change the
window size or shape.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

The on the right side of this

Network Manager indicates the
window can be resized by dragging
the cursor to the desired size.

Menu Bar
The menu bar contains the menu commands used to run Voxler. The menu bar displays in a
docked view by default; however, it can also be displayed as a floating window. See Changing the
Window Layout for information on displaying the menu bar as either docked or floating.

The menu bar contains the Voxler menu commands.

Title Bar
The title bar is the top portion of the Voxler application window or the top portion of a dialog. The
file that is currently open in the Viewer window is listed in the program title bar. In a dialog, the
dialog name is listed in the dialog title bar. Drag a window or dialog by its title bar to reposition it.
Double-click the title bar to maximize or restore the window. When a document contains unsaved
changes, an asterisk (*) appears next to its name in the title bar. The asterisk disappears once the
unsaved changes have been saved.

The title bar contains the window or dialog name.

Status Bar
The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Voxler window. The status bar displays additional
information about selected items.

Show or Hide the Status Bar

Click the View | Status Bar command to show or hide the status bar at the bottom of the Voxler
window. A check mark appears next to Status Bar in the View menu when the status bar is
visible. Click the Status Bar menu item to remove the check mark and hide the status bar.

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Click the View | Status Bar

command to show or hide the
status bar. A check mark indicates
the status bar is visible.

Status Bar Sections

The status bar is divided into three sections: left, middle, and right.

The left side of the status bar displays a short description of the selected menu item. The left
section is also used for help messages and progress text.

The middle section is used for a progress gauge to show the amount of work accomplished and the
amount left to do for various tasks.

The right section displays the window size of the last redraw in the Viewer window. During
operations in progress, the right section displays the estimated time remaining for tasks. The
window size shows the size of the window screen in pixel width by pixel height.

The status bar commonly appears with the help text on the left; no text in the
middle (when there is no progress to report); and window size information on the right.

Import Progress
When Voxler is importing a data file, the status bar appears with the help message and progress
text on the left; a progress gauge in the middle; and the time remaining on the right.

When Voxler is importing a data file, the status bar displays the progress.

Abort Import
Press the ESC key on the keyboard when the progress gauge is displayed to cancel the file import.
A Voxler dialog appears with the message The current operation was interrupted Do you wish to:
Continue or Abort. Click the Abort button to cancel the import. Click the Continue button to
continue the import.

Press the ESC key to

abort a file import.

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Introduction to Modules
A module is a data set or a process to be applied to a data set or process. Modules are the building
blocks from which the final Voxler output is constructed. Modules accept data on their input
connection pads , modify the data, and pass it along through the output connection pad .

Modules are displayed in the Network Manager. You can connect and disconnect modules to
create a visualization network representing the flow of data. Modules need to be connected in order
to generate an output. The current geometry output of the modules in the Network Manager are
displayed in a three-dimensional view in the Viewer window. If the data is not connected to a
graphics output module, nothing is displayed in the Viewer window.

The Network Manager displays the visualization network,

which includes all loaded modules and their connections.

View All Modules

All modules are accessed using the Network menu commands. Alternatively, all modules are

accessed in the Module Manager when the Show all modules button is selected .

View Applicable Modules

When a module is selected in the Network Manager and the Show all modules button is not
selected in the Module Manager, available modules that can be connected to the selected module
output port are displayed in the Module Manager. Alternatively, right-click a module in the
Network Manager to display only the applicable modules in the context menu.

On the module description pages, there are Inputs and Outputs sections to discuss the type of
input and output modules that each module are compatible.

Import
Click File | Import to open the Import dialog. The type of data determines what type of module
can be attached to it. Voxler supports several different data types. See the File Format Chart for
a detailed list of supported file formats.

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Viewer Window
The Viewer Window is a unique module that is automatically created when a new instance of
Voxler is generated. The Viewer Window module appears in the Network Manager. The Viewer
Window module cannot be deleted. The purpose of the Viewer Window module is to control the
properties of the Viewer window for the current instance of Voxler. To change the Viewer window
properties for future instances of Voxler, choose the Tools | Options command and adjust
properties on the Colors page of the Options dialog.

Module Types
There are four types of modules: computational, data source, general, and graphics output. Each
module type is discussed below.

Computational Modules
Computational modules alter the data by changing the data type, filtering, creating a gradient,
gridding, performing mathematical transformations, merging, resampling, slicing, creating a subset,
or transforming coordinates. Click on one of the following computational modules for detailed
information on using the module and module properties.
ChangeType
DuplicateFilter
ExclusionFilter
ExtractPoints
Filter
Gradient
Gridder
Math
Merge
Resample
Slice
Subset
Transform

Data Source Modules

Data source modules serve as a source of raw data. The data can be imported or created from
mathematical functions. Click on one of the following data source modules for detailed information
on using the module and module properties.
Import (Data Source, Point Source, Lattice Source, Geometry Source)
FunctionLattice
TestLattice
WellData (combines multiple Data Source modules into a single output)

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General Modules
General modules display module information and provide custom lighting in the Viewer window.
Click on one of the following general modules for detailed information on using the module and
module properties.
Info
Light

Graphics Output
Graphics output modules create graphics in the Viewer window. Typically, these modules require
data input. Click on one of the following graphics output modules for detailed information on using
the module and module properties.
Annotation
Axes
BoundingBox
ClipPlane
Contours
FaceRender
HeightField
Isosurface
ObliqueImage
OrthoImage
ScatterPlot
StreamLines
Text
VectorPlot
VolRender
WellRender

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The Module Manager

The Module Manager displays a list of available modules and
other commands. You can add the modules to the Network
Manager by double-clicking on the module in the Module
Manager or by clicking on the module name and dragging it into
the Network Manager. The item is added to the Network
Manager. Depending on how the module is added, the module
may appear in the Network Manager already connected to other
modules. The Module Manager is a quick display of the Network
Menu commands. This can be useful to see all of the modules or
only the modules compatible with the currently selected module.

The Module Manager consists of five sections, displayed as

folders: Import, Samples, Computational, Data Source, General
Modules, and Graphics Output sections. Depending on which
module is currently selected and your settings, you may not have
all of these sections available.

Showing All Modules

The toolbar at the top of the Module Manager window contains a

Show All Modules button . If the button is depressed, all

modules are listed. If the button is not depressed, only those
modules that are compatible with the currently selected module
are displayed.

Click the Show All Modules button at the top of the Module
Manager to expand all folders and list all sample .VOXB files and
modules in the tree view list. The button is depressed when this
option is enabled. When this option is enabled, all modules are
shown in the Module Manager. If a module is selected in the
Network Manager and a compatible module is added, it is
automatically connected to the selected module. If the module
being added is not compatible with the currently selected module
in the Network Manager, the new module is added to the
Network Manager without any connections to existing modules.

If the button is not depressed, only those modules that are

compatible with the currently selected module are displayed. If
you double-click on a module, it is automatically connected
automatically to the selected module. If no modules are selected
in the Viewer window, only the Import, Samples, Data Source,
Light, Annotation, and Text modules are displayed.

Import
Double-click Import to load any file that Voxler can import in the
Network Manager. Select any data file and click the Open button
to add the file as a new module in the Network Manager.

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Samples
Several simple sample files are displayed in the Samples folder. Double-click an item in the
Samples folder to open the corresponding .VOXB file in Voxler. This is another way of choosing the
File | Open menu command. If you have an existing Voxler project open, you will be prompted to
save changes if you open a new sample project. Click the Yes button to save the changes to the
existing .VOXB file before opening the sample project. Click the No button to discard the changes to
your existing project and then open the sample project. Click the Cancel button to keep the current
file open and not open the example project.

Add Modules to the Network Manager

Double-click a module in the Graphics Output, Computational, Data Source, General Modules, or
Well folders in the Module Manager to add that module type to the Network Manager. If a
module is selected in the Network Manager and the module in the Module Manager is
compatible, the two are connected. Otherwise, the module is loaded in the Network Manager
without connections to any existing modules. You can also click and drag a module from the
Module Manager to the Network Manager to add it without making a connection to the selected
module.

Expand and Collapse Folders

The and buttons indicate the folder can be expanded or collapsed to show or hide additional
information. This applies to any situation where you see a and in Voxler.

There are several ways to expand a folder and see all the items in the folder:
• Click the button to the left of the folder name.
• Select the item and press the + key on the numeric keypad.
• Press the right ARROW key on your keyboard.
• Double-click the item.

There are several ways to collapse the folder and view just the folder name:
• Click the button to the left of the folder name.
• Select the item and press the - key on the numeric keypad.
• Press the left ARROW key.
• Double-click the item.

Voxler remembers the expanded or collapsed state of the list within a given session and stores the
state of the list when you close the program.

Using Keyboard Commands

When working in the Module Manager,
• Press the up and down arrow keys to move up and down in the list.
• Press the right arrow key to expand collapsed sections or the left arrow key to collapse the
expanded sections.
• Press the PAGE UP key to go to the item currently displayed at the top of the list without
scrolling.
• Press the PAGE DOWN key to go to the item currently displayed at the bottom of the list
without scrolling.

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• Press the HOME key to go to the first item in the list.

• Press the END key to go to the last item in the list.
• To go to a specific line item, press the first letter of the name of the item on your keyboard.
• Click in the Module Manager or press ALT+F6 until the Module Manager is highlighted.
The Module Manager must have the focus in order for keyboard commands to apply to its
contents.

Show All Modules

Click the Show All Modules button at the top of the Module Manager window to list all modules
in the tree control.

Double-click a module in this mode to add it to the Network Manager without connecting it to

another module. If the Show All Modules button is not clicked, only those modules that are
compatible with the currently selected module are displayed. Double-click one of those modules to
automatically connect it to the selected module.

The Visualization Network

Voxler uses a collection of modules and their connections to create a visualization network to
represent data and process one or more modules in the Network Manager.

Modules
Modules are the building blocks from which the final output is constructed. They consist of input
data sets and processes to be applied to the data sets. Modules accept data on their input ports,
modify the data, and pass it along through the output ports. The modules link together in an infinite
number of ways to form a pipeline that passes the processed data from one module to the next.
The final output from the network is usually a graphical representation of the data. This architecture
is commonly called a "data flow" model.

Modules have inputs, outputs, and properties. The inputs and outputs are the data types described
in the Data Types page. Modules are displayed in the Network Manager. The properties of a
selected module appear in the Property Manager. When a module's input or properties have
changed, it automatically updates in the Viewer window. After the module has updated and
recomputed its outputs, the framework ensures that all downstream modules are updated as well.

Modules are display in the Network Manager.

In this example, the VectorPlot and StreamLines
modules are attached to the TestLattice data set.

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Data Sets
Multiple data sets can be loaded into a single Voxler project. Each data set can be connected to
any number of visualization or computational modules to produce a single scene. Data sets are
automatically loaded into source modules. The scene can be interactively manipulated in the three-
dimensional Viewer window and saved to a file or printed.

Data Flow Model

Voxler's data flow model allows for incredible flexibility and power. Here are some of the specific
advantages:
• The modules can be dynamically connected and edited to see the effect of different
parameters on the data. For example, a point set can be loaded, connected to a Gridder
module, and output to an isosurface. The gridding parameters can be altered to see the new
output in the Isosurface without having to save grid files. The Isosurface automatically
recognizes that the grid has changed and automatically updates.
• Multiple modules can be connected to a single input module in order to "stack" the effects.
For example, a Contours module, Isosurface module, and ClipPlane module could all be
connected to a single lattice module. The output from all three modules is correctly combined
in the final scene.
• Network updates execute on a separate work thread. This allows the user interface to stay
responsive even while the network is being updated. If a changing property threatens to
invalidate the currently updating network, Voxler detects and aborts the update in progress.
A new update to include the changed properties is then requested.
• There is no need for intermediate files, i.e., grid files. The data are loaded once and need not
be resaved in an intermediate form for later reloading.
• Execution through the network can be optimized so only those modules that actually need to
execute are triggered. Paths that do not change are cached and do not contribute to the
overall execution time. If data or parameters are altered in the middle of the module
network, only the downstream modules need to re-execute.
• The Network Manager allows the user to easily select modules in the two-dimensional
interface.

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The Network Manager

Voxler uses a Network Manager to show a graphical representation (also referred to as a
visualization network) of data and processes performed in the project. All data, modules, and
processing paths for the current project are visible in the Network Manager. Modules are
connected to perform a desired task. A module is a data set or process to be applied to a data set.
Modules accept data on their input connection pads, modify the data, and pass it along through the
output connection pads. The final output from the pipeline is usually a graphical representation of
data, such as a HeightField or OrthoImage.

The Network Manager displays the visualization

network, which includes all loaded modules
and their connections.

Working in the Network Manager

A small rectangle, that can be selected and dragged with the mouse, represents each module in the
Network Manager. The module rectangles have the following components:

The sections of the Network Manager are marked in the

above diagram and described in the table below.

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Visibility The visibility check box indicates whether a

Check Box module's output is visible in the Viewer
window. Check the box to display a module
and all "downstream" (connected) modules.
Uncheck the box to hide a module and all
downstream modules. A gray check mark
indicates that a module is disabled because of
a hidden upstream module.
(Name) Module Each module is named with the loaded data
Name file name or by the function performed by the
module. You can change the name with the
Edit | Rename command. Alternatively,
right-click the module and select Rename or
press F2 on the keyboard.
Indicator The indicator LED is a small round "light"
LED showing module status.
• Green : the module is up to date
• Yellow : the module has been modified
and needs to be updated
• Red : the module is in an error state
Connection An input connection pad is located on the left
Pads side of the module. An output connection pad
is located on the right side of the module. The
presence of connection pads indicates that a
module may be connected to other modules.
Only modules with the appropriate type of
data may be connected.
Connector Connector lines are drawn between connected
Lines modules. Lines or pipes may be displayed.
See the Tools | Options dialog to change the
display of connector lines.

Select and Deselect Modules

To move a module, save a module, or change any of the module properties, select it by clicking the
module rectangle in the Network Manager. The selected module is highlighted and its properties
are displayed in the Property Manager. Note that only a single module may be selected at a time.
Click in the Network Manager outside all modules to deselect all modules.

Context Menus
Right-click a module to display a context menu containing various commands that can be applied to
the module. The commands include:
• A list of modules that may be connected to the selected module. This is the fastest and
easiest way to build a network. Simply right-click an existing module and select a module to
connect.
• A Connect command, which allows you to connect existing modules interactively. The
command name changes depending on the selected module type. See Connecting Modules
for more information about this procedure.
• A Save Data command, which allows you to save the module's data output.
• A Copy command, which copies all properties of the selected module. This is useful for
creating an exact duplicate of an existing module.

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• A Rename command, which allows you to rename the selected module to any other name.
• A Delete command, which removes the selected module from the Network Manager.
Deleting a module removes the links to other modules.

Right-click in the Network Manager without a module selected to display a different context menu
that includes commands to import a new file, create standalone modules, or paste a copied module.
Standalone modules, such as Annotation, do not require an input connection. When right-clicking to
add modules, the module appears in the location where you right-clicked.

When an icon is dragged outside the limits of the Network Manager, scroll bars are added to
allow scrolling to the portions of the network that are not visible.

Keyboard Commands
The following keyboard commands are available in the Network Manager:
• The DELETE key deletes the selected module if the Network Manager is active.
• The TAB key cycles through the modules in the order they were added.
• SHIFT+TAB cycles through the modules in the reverse order.
• The ARROW keys move the selected module.

Viewer Window Module

The Viewer window module is automatically created by Voxler and cannot be deleted or made
invisible in the Network Manager. This module is used to control various settings that affect the
entire scene, such as background color.

Update Network
Click the Network | Update Network command or press the F9 key on the keyboard to refresh
the network if it is out of date. A network is out of date when one of the modules in the Network
Manager displays a yellow indicator LED . Some modules require action in the Property
Manager before an update can occur. One example is the Gridder module, which requires clicking
the Begin Gridding button in the Property Manager in order to update. Until the properties have
been updated, the network does not update, even if the Network | Update Network command is
used. A green indicator LED indicates the module is up to date.

The yellow indicator LED on the Contours module

indicates that the module is out of date. The green
indicator LED on the TestLattice module indicates
the module is up to date.

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Auto Update
The Network | Update Network command is useful if the Auto Update option in the Property
Manager is disabled and changes have been made to one or more modules.

Check the Auto Update box in the Property Manager

to automatically update the network as changes are made.

When the Auto Update box is not checked, changes made to the modules do not update the
network until the Network | Update Network menu command is chosen, the Update Now button
in the Property Manager is clicked, or the F9 key is pressed.

This command is disabled (grayed out on the Network menu) when the network is up to date.

Connect
There are several ways to connect or disconnect two modules. After you have selected a module:
• Right-click on a module in the Network Manager and select Connect from the context
menu
• Click on the connection pad of a module in the Network Manager
• Click the Network | Connect command

The procedure is the same whether you are connecting or disconnecting two modules. Once a
Connect command is initiated, the cursor snaps to the Network Manager and Voxler enters
graphical connect mode. Move the mouse until the blue connection line touches the compatible
module you want to connect to or disconnect from and the connection line turns yellow. Click the
mouse on the module to make or break the connection. The blue connection line turns yellow if the
modules are compatible.

The Connect command menu text differs depending on which module is selected.

Example - Connecting a Module

Start with a new window. If a Voxler file is already open, click the File | New command to open a
new blank window.

In the Module Manager, click the button, so all modules are visible. Expand the Graphics
Output folder. Double-click on the Contours module in the Module Manager to load the module in
the Network Manager.

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A module can be added to the Network Manager

without being connected to any data.

In the Module Manager, expand the Data Source folder. Double-click on the TestLattice module to
load a test lattice. The test lattice is automatically selected in the Network Manager.

Additional modules can be added to the

Network Manager without being connected.

Right-click on the TestLattice module and choose Connect Output Lattice.

Choose the Network | Connect Output Lattice

command to connect the Contours module
to the TestLattice module.

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The blue connection line appears in the Network Manager.

When the Network | Connect Output Lattice command is

selected, a blue connection line appears.

Move the cursor to the Contours module and the blue line changes to yellow.

The connection line changes to yellow when it is over a

module that can be connected to the selected module.

When the connection line changes to yellow, left-click to make the connection. The connection line
becomes a black line and the contour map displaying the TestLattice data appears in the Viewer
window.

The contour map is displayed in the Viewer window when the Contours
module is connected to the TestLattice module.

To disconnect the two modules, right-click on the Contours module and choose the Connect Input
Lattice (TestLattice) item.

A blue line appears between the Contours module and the cursor. Move the cursor over the
TestLattice module and the connection line turns yellow. Left-click on the TestLattice module in the
Network Manager to break the connection.

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Connecting Modules
Module connections display the flow of data from one module to another.

Connect Modules
Connect a module to other compatible modules by dragging a connection line from a connection
pad on one module to another. The line is initially blue, but turns yellow when the cursor touches
a compatible module. Release the mouse button to complete the connection. The line turns black
when the connection is complete.

An unconnected line appears blue.

In this example, the line between the Gridder and Isosurface modules
is not yet connected, but has been dragged from the Gridder node.

A connected (but unreleased) line appears yellow.

In this example, the line between the Gridder and Isosurface modules
is connecting the two modules, but the mouse button has not been released.

A connected (and released) line appears black.

In this example, the line between the GoldConcentration.dat, the Gridder,
and the Isosurface modules are all connected.

Alternatively, you can click on a connection pad, release the mouse button, and move the mouse
without dragging. A blue connection line is drawn. The connection line turns yellow when the cursor
is over a compatible module. Click the mouse button a second time to connect the two modules.

Another method to connect modules is to select one module in the Network Manager. Choose the
Network | Connect command to connect either an input or output module to the selected module.

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Move the mouse until the connection line turns yellow. Click on the module and the two modules
are connected.

Disconnect Modules
To disconnect a module from the network, follow the directions above to make the same connection
a second time. The disconnected module remains in the Network Manager and retains all other
connections.

Arranging Modules
Modules can be rearranged in the Network Manager. You may need to move modules to see
some connections clearly. Click on a module and drag it to a new location to move it or use the
ARROW keys for fine adjustment.

Move an Existing Connection

Move an existing connection by left-clicking on a connection line, holding down the left mouse
button, and dragging the line to a new connection pad.

Cancel In-Progress Connection

Press the ESC key or click in an empty portion of the Network Manager to cancel a connection in
progress.

Multiple Input or Output Connections

Some modules accept more than one input connection or provide more than one output connection.
In these cases, a context menu is displayed when you click on the connection pad. Select the
connection you want and proceed as previously described.

The Transform module provides output connections for data and geometry.
Select Connect Output Data to connect to the Isosurface module.

Tips on Working with Modules

Modules can be connected and edited to see the effect of different parameters on the data. For
example, a point set can be loaded, connected to a Gridder module, and displayed as an Isosurface
module. You can experiment with the gridding parameters and immediately see the new output in
the isosurface. The Isosurface module automatically recognizes that the lattice has changed and
updates itself.

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Multiple modules can be connected to a single module output connection to stack effects in the
Viewer window. For example, Contours, Isosurface, and OrthoImage modules could all be
connected to a single lattice module. The output from all three modules is correctly combined in the
scene.

Change to the module location, visibility, and connection status can be undone using the Edit |
Undo command.

The style of the connection lines can be customized using the Tools | Options command.

Mismatch Error
When attaching a module that is not compatible, the Voxler Error dialog appears.

The Voxler Error dialog appears when a non compatible module is attached to another module.

Click the OK button to remove the newly added incompatible module from the network.

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The Viewer Window

The Viewer window displays the three-dimensional graphical output produced by the visualization
network. All visible items in the Network Manager are displayed in the Viewer window.

The Viewer window behavior is controlled by several settings from the toolbars or the View menu.
A virtual camera is used to view, rotate, zoom, and pan the scene. A world axis triad, located in the
lower right corner, displays the global coordinate system orientation.

The image output of the currently selected module displays in the center of the window.

The output geometry is displayed in the Viewer window.

The world axis triad is displayed in the lower right corner.

Camera
In Voxler, the camera is a metaphor for how we view the scene in the Viewer window. A scene is
the collection of all graphical output. The camera is a virtual device used to view the scene. The
camera has a point of view that is controlled by panning, zooming, rotating, and lighting. The
camera position and the center target of the scene can be changed with the View | Camera
Properties command.

Home Position

The camera remembers a home position and orientation. Click the button on the toolbar, press
the HOME key on the keyboard, or click the View | Home command to return the camera to its
last stored home position.

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Set a new home position by holding down the CTRL key and clicking the button on the toolbar,
by choosing the View | Set Home command, or by right-clicking in the Viewer window and
selecting Set Home from the context menu. The home position is automatically set when a large
change in the Viewer window occurs due to a significant change in network output when the
Enable AutoZoom command is checked on the General page of the Options dialog accessed with
the Tools | Options command.

Projection
The camera can display graphics in perspective or orthographic projections. Specify the projection
with the View | Projection command. The projection affects how the three-dimensional scene is
drawn in the Viewer window.

The most distinguishing characteristic of perspective projection is foreshortening: the farther an

object is from the camera, the smaller it appears in the final image. Perspective projection emulates
the human eye so scenes appear more realistic or lifelike—larger when viewed closely, smaller
when viewed from a distance.

Orthographic projection produces a parallel projection with no distortion for distance. As a result, it
is sometimes difficult to determine how far an object is from you when viewing it in orthographic
projection. This view is useful, however, when you need to measure distances or angles, or exactly
align objects in three-dimensional space.

Headlight
The Viewer window includes a built-in headlight at the camera position pointing in the same
direction as the camera. This allows all geometry to be seen even if no explicit lights have been
added to the network. The headlight is turned on or off with the View | Headlight command. If
the headlight is turned off, the scene is dark unless one or more explicit Light modules are added.

Draw Style
Choose the method that overlapping objects are drawn in the Viewer window with the View | Still
Draw Style options. These commands are useful if a particular display mode takes too long to
render and you want to temporarily display graphics in a faster drawing format such as Wireframe,
Low Resolution, or Bounding Box. By choosing a faster drawing format, the scene will redraw
quicker, but some elements may appear incorrect.

A similar command, View | Animating Draw Style, applies to the graphics when the camera
position is being changed, such as when the graphic is spinning or while changing the zoom level. If
a faster drawing format, such as Wireframe or Bounding Box is used, the rotating objects may
appear incorrect.

Transparency Mode
There are several transparency modes available through View | Transparency Type. Different
modes work better for various types of geometry. Some modes provide faster rendering while
others give better quality. Occasionally, you will need to experiment with transparency modes to
find the best display.

If you find that your transparent graphics are partially opaque at certain orientations, try selecting
View | Transparency Type | Sorted object, sorted triangle blend or View | Transparency

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Type | Sorted Object Blend. These methods provide a more accurate transparency mode, but are
also slower and more memory-intensive than others.

If you find that you are running out of memory or rendering is taking a very long time, choose the
View | Transparency Type | Blend command. This method usually provides a reasonable
tradeoff between accuracy and speed.

See Transparency Type for advantages and disadvantages of each transparency type.

AutoZoom
Voxler attempts to automatically keep the zoom to the full extents of the geometry in the Viewer
window when it detects a large change to the extents of the geometry. AutoZoom does not occur
when geometry output is turned on or off using the check box on the module icon in the Network
Manager. The Enable AutoZoom command can be turned on or off in the Tools | Options dialog.

Customize Mouse Buttons

Choose the Tools | Options command to open the Options dialog. The Mouse page allows you to
customize the mouse button assignments for the pan, zoom, rotation, and context menu control.

Common Commands
Right-click in the Viewer window to display a context menu of common commands, including Copy
Snapshot, Fit to Window, Home, Set Home, Camera Properties, and Headlight. You may
also choose a Defined View, Still or Animating Draw Style, or Transparency Type.

Right-click in the Viewer window

to change viewing options.

Trackball
The Viewer window is in trackball mode by default. If the Viewer window is not in trackball mode,
choose the View | Trackball command.

Trackball mode allows you to click in the Viewer window and rotate or spin the graphics with a
virtual trackball. The trackball can be thought of as a transparent sphere covering the entire scene.
To rotate a graphic, click in the Viewer window and drag the mouse. To spin the graphic, click in
the Viewer window, drag the mouse, and release the mouse button while dragging. To stop the

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spin, click anywhere in the Viewer window. Record the spinning graphic as an .AVI file with the
Actions | Capture Video command.

For convenience, the following modifiers are allowed while in trackball mode:
• Hold down SHIFT while dragging to pan the camera
• Hold down CTRL while dragging up or down to zoom in or out

Rotate Object
To rotate objects in the Viewer window, left-click, hold the mouse button down, and drag the
mouse, release the button to spin the image.

Stop Rotation
In a rotating window, hold the mouse stationary and click to stop the object from spinning.

Prevent Rotation
To prevent rotation when dragging the mouse, hold the mouse stationary prior to releasing the left
mouse button.

Record Rotation
To record the rotation in the Viewer window, use the Actions | Capture Video command.

Pan Window
The Viewer window can be panned. This allows you to move the graphics in the Viewer window
without changing the level of magnification or rotation. This is useful when you would like to look at
a different portion of the geometry at the current scale. To use this feature, choose the View | Pan

command or click the button. Hold down the left mouse button and move the cursor around
the window to pan the scene.

Fit to Window
If the center of rotation for the objects in the Viewer window is changed and you need to reset the

rotation, choose the View | Fit to Window or the button to reset the rotation center to the
center of the objects in the Viewer window. Occasionally, the geometry is no longer visible in the
Viewer window, perhaps because new geometry has been added or the existing coordinates were
modified. The View | Fit to Window allows you to zoom in to fit all the geometry into the Viewer
window. After the Fit to Window command is used, the camera is moved until the scene fills the
window extents.

Zoom
The Zoom Realtime command zooms in and out as the mouse is dragged up and down or when
the mouse wheel is moved. To use this feature, choose the View | Zoom Realtime command.
Hold down the left mouse button and then drag it up or down in the Viewer window to zoom in or
out. As you drag the mouse up, the screen is zoomed in. As you drag the mouse down, the screen
is zoomed out. You can also use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. Move the wheel away from you
to zoom in and toward you to zoom out.

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The Property Manager

The Property Manager displays the properties of the module currently selected in the Network
Manager. A property is a setting or parameter used by the module to control its behavior. Each
property is displayed in a list within the window with one property per line. Properties are split onto
multiple tabs. Left-click on a module in the Network Manager to display its properties in the
Property Manager.

The Gridder module is selected in the Network The properties of the selected module are
Manager. The selected module is highlighted in blue. displayed in the Property Manager.

Property Manager Tabs

The Property Manager displays module properties, which are settings or parameters used by a
module to control its behavior. The window itself consists of several tabs with similar properties, on
a single tab.

Title Bar
A title bar is displayed at the top of the window. It consists of the window name, the button, and
the button. See the Working With Voxler Windows topic for more information about how to use
these buttons.

Context-Sensitive Help

Click the button to obtain information about the module currently displayed in the Property
Manager. The Voxler help window is displayed with the relevant help page.

Applying Module Property Changes with Auto Update and Update Now
The Auto Update check box and Update Now button below the title bar allow you to choose whether
to update the Viewer window automatically or manually. The Auto Update check box is checked, by

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default. If a process takes a long time or you want to make a large number of changes to different
modules that take a long time to redraw, then uncheck the Auto Update box. Make all changes to
all modules. After all changes have been made, press the Update Now button to update the network
manually. When the Auto Update box is checked, the module properties automatically update after
you change an object. Uncheck the Auto Update box at the top of the Property Manager to
disable this feature and make multiple changes without updating the Viewer window.

The button manually updates the network and any modified modules when Auto
Update is unchecked. The Update Now button is enabled whenever there are pending changes to
the network. Click the Update Now button to manually update the module properties in the Viewer
window. Alternatively, choose the Network | Update Network command or press the F9 key on
the keyboard to update the Viewer window with all changes.

Properties
The main component of the Property
Manager is a list of properties used
by the selected module, separated by
tabs. This list has two columns: the
left column contains the property
name. The right column contains the
controls used to change the property.
Click on the property control in the
right column to change the property's
value. Drag the vertical line between
the left and right column to adjust the
column width. If a module's properties
contain subsections, a or is
located to the left of the name. Click
on or to expand or collapse the
list. For example, a Contours module
contains three tabs: General,
Cutting Plane, and Legend. The
General tab contains three sections:
Contours, Levels, and Rendering.
Additional properties, such as the
Level method, can be changed by
clicking on the tab and opening these
sections.

A short description of the selected

property displays at the bottom of the
window. If this area is not visible,
click the Tools | Options command
and check the box next to Show property help on the General page of the Options dialog.

Each property is displayed in a list within the window. Use the scroll wheel on the mouse to scroll
through the list.

Expand and Collapse Features

Features with multiple options appear with a or to the left of the name. To expand a group,
click on the icon, select the item and press the + key on the numeric keypad, press the right
arrow key on the keyboard, or double-click the item. To collapse the group, click on the icon,
press the - key on the numeric keypad; press the left arrow key; or double-click the item. For

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example, the expanded Rendering section in the above image contains four options: Line width
(points), Colormap, Show border, Border width (points), and Border color.

Resize
To change the size of either column of the Property Manager, position the cursor over the center
vertical line to change the cursor into a two-headed arrow . Drag the arrow left or right to resize
the viewable area on either size of the line.

To resize the help area at the bottom of the Property Manager, position the cursor just above the

help area and drag the cursor up or down to create more or less viewable help area.

Help
A simple help section is available at the bottom of the Property Manager for help on the selected
property. The help area is turned on or off with the Tools | Options command. The horizontal

dividing line at the top of this section can be dragged up or down. Click the button at the top of
the Property Manager to display more detailed information in the online help file about the
module currently displayed in the Property Manager.

Property Manager Controls

Voxler provides several different types of controls in the right column of the Property Manager
that allow you to customize the behavior of a selected module. These controls include buttons,
check boxes, drop down lists, edit boxes, sliders, and spin buttons. The focus is automatically set to
the object when it is clicked or selected via the keyboard TAB or arrow keys. The focus is indicated
by a dotted rectangle on the control or by a change in color. Some property list items only provide
information. These items are disabled (grayed) to indicate they cannot be changed. Occasionally,
some properties may not be valid due to other selections or data restrictions. These options are
disabled as well.

The following controls are available:

Button Click the button with the mouse or press the SPACEBAR when the
button has the focus to perform the action indicated by the button
text. Click the button to obtain more information about a
property. The resulting action varies depending on the module, but
can open a dialog for loading a file into an existing data input module,
allow you to edit multi-line text, display a Colormap Editor or other
actions.
Check Box A check box toggles the state between one of two possible outcomes.
Click the check box with the mouse or press the SPACEBAR when the
box has the focus to change the state of the check box.
Color The color control displays a sample and the name of the current color.
If the color cannot be found in the predefined colors list, then the
name takes the form "r, g, b" (the amounts of red, green, and blue, 0
to 255 each). To change the color, click the color to the right of the
Color property to open the color palette.

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

Drop Down A drop down list of options displays when the corresponding property
List value is selected. To display the drop down list, click the value with
the mouse or press the SPACEBAR when the control is selected. To
select an item in the drop down list, click the item in the list or use the
up or down arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight the item and
press ENTER.

An unselected list item with a text value

does not display a drop down arrow.

A selected list item with a text value

does display a drop down arrow.

When a list item with a text value is selected,

click the drop down arrow to display the
list of options.

Use the keyboard keys to perform the following actions:

• The F4, SPACEBAR, or up and down arrow keys activate a drop
down list for the selected property value.
• The ESC key closes a drop down list.
• The up, down, left, and right arrow keys scroll through a drop
down list.
• The HOME key moves focus to the first item in a list.
• The END key moves focus to the last item in a list.
• The PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN key moves up or down several
items at a time in a drop down list.
• ENTER selects an item from a drop down list.
• Any letter on the keyboard can be used to select the first list
entry starting with that letter. Press the letter again to move to
the next item beginning with that letter.
Edit Boxes Edit boxes allow the input of text or numeric values. Edit boxes are
commonly linked to an associated slider or spin button
(see below) when entering a number, or may include the
button for multiline text or other functions. Drag the borders of the
Multiline Text dialog to resize it. Press the ESC key to cancel your
changes and restore the original text.

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Slider A slider appears to the right of a property that requires a numeric

entry. Drag the slider left or right to decrease or increase
the number. Click anywhere on the slider to immediately move the
slider to that position. When the slider has the focus, the arrow, PAGE
UP, PAGE DOWN, HOME, and END keys can be used to change the
value. The slider can be very short or not visible if the column width is
small. Increase the column width by dragging the left or right edge of
the column.

The slider is set to reasonable limits, but Voxler accepts a larger

range of values from the edit field for some properties. In such a case,
enter the number directly in the edit field.
Spin Button A spin button may appear to the right of a property that requires
a number. Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the
value in the edit control. When the value has reached the maximum or
minimum allowed value, it will either stop changing or wrap around to
the beginning or end of the range. The spin button is set to
reasonable limits, but there is sometimes a need to exceed those
limits. If necessary, enter the desired value directly into the edit
boxes.
Static Static text is informational and cannot be edited, as indicated by the
(Grayed- grayed-out color of the text.
Out) Text

Keyboard Commands
Use the following keys when working in the Properties window when the property name is
selected:
• The UP ARROW key selects the previous property.
• The DOWN ARROW key selects the next property.
• The LEFT ARROW key selects the previous property or collapses the list of a parent property.
• The RIGHT ARROW key selects the next property or expands the list of a parent property.
• The PAGE UP key moves the selection up by the height of the window, scrolling if necessary.
• The PAGE DOWN key moves the selection down by the height of the window, scrolling if
necessary.
• The HOME key selects the first property.
• The END key selects the last property.
• The TAB key selects the next property that accepts keyboard input (similar to a dialog). It
skips collapsed items as indicated by the (+) button to the left of the item. Use the arrow
keys to navigate to a collapsed item.
• SHIFT+TAB selects the previous property that accepts keyboard input (similar to a dialog).

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Chapter 1 - Introducing Voxler

New Features
This is an overview of some of Voxler 4's new features.

Graphical Module Features

• Additional predefined colormaps
• HeightField module improvements, including:
• Overlay a vector data file.
• Surfer blanking value support.
• ScatterPlot module improvements, including:
• Use 3D Cone, 3D Cube, 3D Cylinder, and 3D Sphere symbols.
• Specify the symbol color with RGB color columns in the data file.
• Points can be classed/binned.
• Control label density.
• Export Isosurfaces to XYZC data files.
• FaceRender: pan through volume with a slice that is a single voxel thick.

User Friendly
• Streamlined data import process.
• Open multiple projects and worksheets in one Voxler application window.
• The Input component property in the Property Manager for graphical, computational, and
data source modules presents a list of available components.
• Header row information is displayed in the Property Manager to make data column
selection easier.
• More User interface style appearance options.
• New Welcome to Voxler dialog.

Data Features
• Import tabular data files to Data Source modules.
• Specify which logs are included in the WellRender module in the Data Source properties.
• Create and edit data files in the worksheet window.
• Save data files in multiple formats: BLN, BNA, CSV, DAT, SLK, TXT, XLS, XLSX
• Hot editing: changes made in the worksheet window to linked worksheets are automatically
visible in the viewer window.
• Assign and convert coordinate systems in the worksheet.
• Hide or show wells from the Property Manager Wells page for the WellData module.
• Unicode character support.
• Import LASer LiDAR Binary data files.

Import and Export Improvements

• Import and export 3D DXF files that include 3D entities.
• Export HeightFields, Isosurfaces, and Contours to 3D DXF files.
• Export PNG, TIF, and GIF image files with application background transparency.
• Import Google Earth KML/KMZ files.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

• Improved line width handling when importing AutoCAD DXF files.

• Import 3D BLN files.
• Import NASA SRTM Grid Data HGT files.
• Import Adobe Acrobat PDF Vector and Raster files.
• Import and export JPEG-2000 image files.
• Import ERDAS Imagine IMG image and grid files.
• Import compressed/zipped SHP Esri Shapefiles.
• Import TIF image files with YCbCr color encoding.
• Import macro-enabled Excel XLSM files.
• Import LASer LiDAR Binary data files.
• Import compressed/zipped Raster and Vector DDF files.
• Import GRIB Weather Data Grid files.
• Import and export NC NetCDF Lattice files.
• Import ECW and SID files without reduced resolution.
• Extract a subregion of ECW and SID files for import.
• Import PLY files with color and material properties.
• Import compressed Geosoft .GRD .GGF grid files.

Automation Updates
• Pass command line arguments to a script.
• Specify multiple component, label, or log columns for a Data Source module.

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Chapter 2 - Tutorial

Tutorial Introduction
The tutorial is designed to introduce you to some of Voxler's basic features. After you have
completed the tutorial, you should be able to begin to use Voxler with your own data. We strongly
encourage completion of the tutorial before proceeding with Voxler. The lessons should be
completed in order; however, they do not need to be completed in one session. The tutorial should
take approximately one hour to complete.

In this tutorial, you will import data, link the data to modules, change properties, and save
information. To open the tutorial, choose the Help | Tutorial command.

The following is an overview of the lessons included in the tutorial.

Starting Voxler shows how to start Voxler or open a new visualization network.

Lesson 1 - Loading Data shows how to load data.

Lesson 2 - Creating Graphics Output Modules shows how to create a scatter plot of the data and
how to add a bounding box.
Lesson 3 - Changing Properties shows how to change module properties and rotate the view.
Lesson 4 - Editing Linked Data in the Worksheet shows how to view a Data Source module's data
in the worksheet window and how to edit the data.
Lesson 5 - Using Computational Modules shows how to create a uniform lattice from the point set,
display the lattice as an isosurface, and filter data.
Lesson 6 - Connecting Multiple Modules shows how to connect multiple output modules to a single
input module.
Lesson 7 - Saving Information shows how to save graphics, data, and a network.
Lesson 8 - Importing and Displaying Wells shows how to import well data, display the well data as
a wellrender module, and modify the well render module properties.

The lessons should be completed in order; however, they do not need to be completed in one
session.

Advanced Tutorials
Advanced Tutorial Lessons are available to demonstration additional features of Voxler. These
tutorials are intended for beginner to advanced users.

A Note About the Documentation

Various font styles are used throughout the Voxler quick start guide and online help file. Bold text
indicates windows, menu commands, dialog names, and page names. Italic text indicates items
within a dialog or window such as modules, group box names, options, and field names. For
example, the Save Geometry Data dialog contains a Save in drop down list. Bold and italic text
may occasionally be used for emphasis.

Also, menu commands appear as View | Fit to Window. This means "click the View menu at the
top of the program window, then click Fit to Window within the View menu list."

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Chapter 2 - Tutorial

Using the Tutorial with the Demo Version

Some Voxler features are disabled in the demo version, which means that some steps in the
tutorial cannot be completed by users running the demo version. This is noted in the tutorial and
users are prompted to proceed to the next step.

Starting Voxler
To begin a Voxler session:
1. Click on the Windows Start button.
2. Navigate to Programs | Golden Software Voxler 4 (in Windows XP) or All Programs |
Golden Software Voxler 4 (in Windows Vista and Windows 7) and click Voxler 4.
3. Voxler 4 starts with a new blank Viewer window. The first time you open Voxler you are
prompted for a serial number. Your serial number is located on the CD cover or in the email
download directions, depending on how you purchased Voxler.

If Voxler is already open, select the File | New command or click the button to open an
empty visualization network before continuing with the tutorial.

Lesson 1 - Loading Data

Many data types are used in Voxler. For a detailed list of supported formats, refer to the File
Format Chart. The three main categories of data are point sets, lattices, and geometry. Point sets
contain X, Y, and Z data along with optional components and label columns. Lattices can be one-,
two-, or three-dimensional data arrays. Geometry files include lines, triangles, and other shapes.

You can load data in Voxler by:

• clicking the File | Import command, or
• right-clicking in the Network Manager and selecting Import,
• double-clicking the Import item in the Module Manager, or
• dragging a file from the computer to the Network Manager window. Release the file on the
Network Manager.
To load a data file:
1. Click the File | Import command. The Import dialog opens.
2. In the Import dialog, change the Look in field to the Samples directory, located inside the
main Voxler folder. By default, this folder is located at C:\Program Files\Golden
Software\Voxler 4\Samples. Click on the xyzc1.dat file and click the Open button.
3. The file is loaded into the project, and the Network Manager has a new Data Source
module titled xyzc1.dat.

After a data file is loaded, it appears

as a module in the Network Manager.

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4. We must make sure the data file columns are correctly defined before using the data
file to add graphics output or computational modules. Click on the xyzc1.dat module to view
its properties in the Property Manager.
5. Click the next to Output if the section is not already open and make sure the
Output type is set to Points. If it is set to Wells, click Wells and select Points from the list.
6. Click the next to Worksheet Columns to view the column specification properties.
Next verify the data columns are specified correctly.
• X coordinates is set to Column A: X
• Y coordinates is set to Column B: Y
• Z coordinates is set to Column C: Z
7. Click the next to Components and Labels to view the two sections, if they are not
already open. Verify the following settings are correct:
• Component columns is set to 1
• Component-1 is set to Column D: C
• Label columns is set to 1
• Label-1 is set to Column E: ID
Now the data module is ready to be connected to a graphics output module.

The columns for the xyzc1.dat module are specified as above.

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Lesson 2 - Creating Graphics Output

Modules
Once the data are loaded, a data module appears in the
Network Manager. The Viewer window is blank because no
graphical modules have been added to the data module. In this
lesson, we add a graphic.

2.1 - Creating a Scatter Plot - Tutorial

A scatter plot is a model of point data within a volume of space,
optionally with colors representing data values.

To create a scatter plot:

1. Click on the xyzc1.dat module in the Network Manager
to select it. The selected module is highlighted.
2. In the Module Manager, double-click on the ScatterPlot
module name in the Graphics Output section of the list.
Alternatively, right-click on xyzc1.dat in the Network
Manager and select Graphics Output | ScatterPlot
from the context menu.

A scatter plot is displayed in the Viewer window and the

ScatterPlot module appears connected to the xyzc1.dat module
in the Network Manager.

In the Module Manager, only the modules that can be used

with the data type are listed if the Show All Modules button is not

selected. The button is selected if it looks like this and not

selected when it looks like this . In this example, we used

point data, so the main graphics outputs are axes, bounding Select ScatterPlot in the
box, scatter plots, and vector plots. Other graphics, such as Graphics Output folder to create
isosurfaces, need lattices as inputs so they are not listed when a scatter plot of the data.
the button is not selected.

2.2 - Adding a Bounding Box - Tutorial

Next we will add a bounding box around the input data. A bounding box draws a three-dimensional
box around the input data extents.

To draw a bounding box:

1. In the Network Manager, click the xyzc1.dat module.
2. In the Module Manager, double-click BoundingBox under Graphics Output.

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Your scatter plot should look similar to this

after you add the bounding box.

Alternatively, you could have right-clicked the xyzc1.dat module in the Network Manager and
selected Graphics Output | BoundingBox from the context menu.

Lesson 3 - Changing Properties

Once modules have been created, their properties can be changed in the Property Manager. Click
on a module in the Network Manager to select it and display the module's properties in the
Property Manager. Note that some items in a module's property list are informational only and
cannot be changed. These items appear gray in the list.

Select a module in the Network Manager. The selected module's properties are displayed
in the Property Manager.

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3.1 - Changing Symbol Colors - Tutorial

One property that can be changed for a scatter plot is the symbol color.

To change the symbol colors:

1. Click on the ScatterPlot module in the Network Manager. The ScatterPlot module
properties open in the Property Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the General tab.
3. Scroll down to the Colormap option. Click the sample color spectrum (GrayScale) to the left
of the button to open the option list. Click Rainbow to change the colors. The colors are
mapped to the data variable C, as selected when the data were loaded in the Loading Data
lesson.

Click the color spectrum next to Colormap The scatter plot is updated with the colors in
and select Rainbow from the list to the selected Colormap.
change the symbol colors.

3.2 - Displaying Labels - Tutorial

Labels can be displayed on the scatter plot from the X, Y, Z, XYZ, or specified label columns. Let's
add the label from the label column so that the data can be identified.

To add labels:
1. Click on the ScatterPlot module in the Network Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Labels tab.
3. Check the box next to Show labels to turn on the display of labels for the module.

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 Voxler 4 User’s Guide

4. Change the Label field to the desired column. In this case, let's select Column E: ID. The
labels are added next to the points that contain information in the label column.
5. Click the next to Font to open the font properties for the labels.
6. To increase the size of the labels, click and drag the next to Size (points) until
the desired size is shown in the Viewer window.

Labels are displayed next to scatter plot points.

3.3 - Changing the Bounding Box Properties - Tutorial

Changing the bounding box properties is similar to changing the symbol colors.

To change the bounding box line thickness and color:

1. Click on BoundingBox in the Network
Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the
General tab.
3. Click Yellow next to the Color property. The
color palette opens.
4. Click on the color black to change the
bounding box color to black.
5. Highlight the value 1 next to Line width
(points) and type 1.5. Press ENTER on the
keyboard and the line thickness updates.

To add labels:
1. Click on the Labels tab.
2. Check the box next to Show labels to
display labels at the maximum and
minimum values for the bounding box.
3. To change the label color, click the black The bounding box properties can be changed
color box next to Color and select another using the settings in the Property Manager.
color, such as red.

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3.4 - Rotating Graphics - Tutorial

The Viewer window contents can be rotated and animated (spinning). Currently, we are viewing
the scatter plot from the lower left side. We can rotate the scatter plot to see the symbols and
labels more clearly.

The view is rotated by clicking on the Viewer window, holding down the left mouse button, and
dragging the mouse. If you release the mouse button while the mouse is still moving, the Viewer
window will enter spin mode.

Experiment with different rotations. If you spin the graphic, you can stop the spin by clicking
anywhere in the Viewer window.

A world axis triad is displayed in the lower right corner of the Viewer window. The axis triad is
informational only. The triad is a depiction of the X, Y, and Z directions that shows the Viewer
window camera orientation. This is useful when rotating graphics to see how the graphics have
been rotated in space.

The rotation of the Viewer window can be recorded with the Actions | Capture Video command.

This shows the scatter plot after it has been rotated.

Lesson 4 - Editing Linked Data in the Worksheet

The data held in a Data Source module can be edited in the worksheet window. Changes made in
the worksheet window are immediately visible in the Viewer window. In this lesson we will make a
few changes in the worksheet and see how it affects the downstream modules.

To view the xyz1.dat module data in the worksheet:

1. Click on the xyc1.dat module in the Network Manager.
2. Click the Edit Worksheet button in the Worksheet field of the Property Manager. The
module data is opened in a new worksheet window. Notice the document tab displays
“Linked to:”, the module name, and the module ID. This indicates the worksheet is
displaying the module data and not the xyzc1.dat data file.

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3. Click on cell E2 containing the “MW-1” label. The bold cell border indicates that cell E2 is now
the active cell.
4. Type a new label name, for example type BH-10 and press ENTER.
5. Click the Data | Transform command. The Transform dialog opens.
6. Change the Transform with setting to Column variables (e.g. C = A + B).
7. In the Transform equation field, type B = 40 - (10-ROW()) * 4.
8. Type 2 in the First row field and type 9 in the Last row field.
9. Click OK in the Transform dialog.
10. Now click on the Voxler1 project tab located above the Active Cell Location box.

A large number of data manipulations can be performed with the

Transform command.

Notice that the point formerly labeled “MW-1” is now labeled “BH-10” (or whatever you chose to
name it). You can also see how changing the Y value for the first 8 points changed the scatterplot.
Note that we changed the data for the xyzc1.dat module. The xyzc1.dat sample file is unchanged.
To save a copy of changes made to linked data, click the File | Save Copy As command while
viewing the data in the worksheet.

Lesson 5 - Using Computational Modules

Computational modules use data inputs to grid point sets, filter data, merge data, and perform
other tasks. Several visually interesting graphics output modules require lattices, including
contours, height fields, isosurfaces, oblique images, orthogonal images, streamlines, and
volrenders. The XYZC1.DAT file contains scattered point data. You can use the Gridder module to
create a lattice from the scattered point data. After the point set is converted to a lattice, we can
display it as an isosurface, volrender, or contours module. Filtering can be applied to see the effect
on the network and graphics output modules.

5.1 - Gridding Data - Tutorial

To create a lattice from xyzc1.dat:

1. In the Network Manager, click the xyzc1.dat module.

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2. In the Module Manager, double-click the Gridder module in the Computational section. The
Gridder module is loaded into the network. Alternatively, you can right-click on the xyzc1.dat
module in the Network Manager and select Computational | Gridder.
3. In the Network Manager, the Gridder module displays with a yellow indicator LED ,
indicating that additional input is required. In this case, we need to initiate gridding in the
Property Manager. With the Gridder module selected in the Network Manager, click on
the General tab in the Property Manager.
4. Click the Begin Gridding button in the Property Manager to begin the gridding process. The
Gridder module indicator LED changes to green when the gridding is complete.

The indicator LED is a small circle to the right of the module

name. The Gridder module indicator LED initially appears
yellow, indicating you must make a properties change.

5.2 - Creating an Isosurface - Tutorial

The Gridder module interpolated the scattered point data onto a uniform lattice. To display the
lattice in the Viewer window, the Gridder module needs to be connected to a graphics output
module. An isosurface, a surface of constant value in three dimensions, is one way a lattice can be
displayed.

To create an isosurface:
1. Click the Gridder module in the Network Manager to select it.
2. Double-click the Isosurface module in the Module Manager. Alternatively, right-click on the
Gridder module and select Graphics Output | Isosurface. The Isosurface module appears
connected to the Gridder module in the Network Manager and an isosurface displays in the
Viewer window.

Add an Isosurface module to the Gridder module.

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An Isosurface with default properties is

displayed in the Viewer window.

5.3 - Changing the Isosurface Properties - Tutorial

We can experiment with the isovalue (constant value) to change the isosurface appearance.

To change the isosurface properties:

1. Click on the Isosurface module in the Network Manager to select it.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the General tab.
3. Change the value next to Isovalue by double-clicking on the default value, typing 20, and
pressing ENTER on your keyboard. Alternatively, the next to the number can be
moved to change the Isovalue. A new isosurface is calculated and immediately displayed in
the Viewer window.

An Isosurface displays constant value

in three dimensions.

3. In the Property Manager, click the GrayScale color spectrum next to Colormap and select
Rainbow.
4. In the Property Manager, open the Material section by clicking the next to Material.
5. Change the Opacity value by highlighting the existing value, typing 0.5, and pressing ENTER
on your keyboard or moving the until the value is 0.5. Changing the Opacity to a

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lower value allows the isosurface to be partially transparent. The lower the value, the more
transparent the isosurface.

The Colormap and Opacity settings are

adjusted in the Property Manager.

An Isosurface with a custom Colormap

and Opacity properties.

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5.4 - A Note About Transparency - Tutorial

An Opacity value of 0.0 is fully transparent. An Opacity value of 1.0 is fully opaque. Transparency
can be very time consuming to get absolutely correct. As such, Voxler contains several different
algorithms that trade off speed against correctness. See the View | Transparency Type options if
the transparency does not look correct for your particular data. Usually the Sorted Object, Sorted
Triangle Add and Sorted Object, Sorted Triangle Blend methods result in good output but
these methods are significantly slower than the other methods. A quick method that produces good
results in many cases is Blend or Delayed Blend.

5.5 - Filtering Data - Tutorial

You can add computational modules between the data file module and the Gridder module to
change the isosurface. There are many data filtering options in Voxler. Filtering modifies the data
stream, which affects all downstream modules. Typically, the "downstream" modules are
automatically changed when "upstream" modules are altered. The Gridder module is one exception
due to the time required to grid the data.

As an example of filtering our data, assume the data contains points that are very close together
and we would like to combine these duplicate points into a single representative value.

To average these duplicate points:

1. Click the xyzc1.dat module in the Network Manager.
2. In the Module Manager Computational section, double-click the DuplicateFilter module to add
it to the Network Manager. Alternatively, right-click on the xyzc1.dat module and select
Computational | DuplicateFilter.
3. Click on the DuplicateFilter module in the Network Manager to select it.
4. In the Property Manager, change the Keep option to Median Z.
5. In the Property Manager, enter 20 for the Z Tolerance.

Select the DuplicateFilter module in the Network Manager.

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Adjust the module properties in the Property Manager.

Since there are no output modules currently connected to the DuplicateFilter module, there are no
visible changes in the Viewer window. We can make changes by connecting the DuplicateFilter
module to the Gridder module.

To connect the DuplicateFilter module:

1. First, move the DuplicateFilter module to the left side of the Network Manager so the
connections are easily seen. Click on the DuplicateFilter module icon and drag it to the left side of
the Network Manager.
2. Click on the output connection pad on the right side of the DuplicateFilter module in the
Network Manager.
3. In the Network Manager, click the input connection pad on the left side of the Gridder
module to connect the two modules. The connection line changes from blue to yellow when the
cursor is over a module to which it can be connected. The connection line color changes to black
when the connection is completed.

Click on the DuplicateFilter output connection pad and move

the cursor to the Gridder module to connect the modules.

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Since the Gridder module accepts only one input, connecting the DuplicateFilter module causes the
Gridder module to automatically disconnect from the xyzc1.dat module. In addition, the Gridder
module indicator LED turns yellow indicating that additional attention is required. Once the
gridding is complete, the Isosurface module automatically updates and the new graphical output is
sent to the Viewer window.

To update the Gridder and Isosurface modules:

1. In the Network Manager, click the Gridder module to view its properties in the Property
Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the General tab.
3. Click the Recalculate button next to Data dependent parameters. This recalculates the lattice
limits and other parameters to use the new input coming in from the DuplicateFilter module.
4. Click the Begin Gridding button in the Property Manager. The progress gauge displays the
gridding progress and the Gridder module indicator LED turns green when the gridding is
complete. The Isosurface module automatically updates with the new information and the
results display in the Viewer window.

Select the Gridder module in the Network Manager to select it.

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Adjust the Gridder properties and re-grid the data

to account for the new DuplicateFilter module.

After the data are regridded, the Isosurface

automatically updates to reflect the changes
since it is "downstream" from the Gridder module.

Lesson 6 - Connecting Multiple Modules

Modules can have multiple connections. For example, the output from a Gridder module can be
connected to several graphics output modules to show multiple aspects of the data in one graphic.

6.1 - Adding Contours - Tutorial

To add another graphics output module to the Gridder module:

1. Click the Gridder module in the Network Manager.

2. In the Module Manager, double-click the Contours module in the Graphics Output section to
connect it to the Gridder module. Alternatively, right-click on the Gridder module and select

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Graphics Output | Contours. The Network Manager now contains a connected Contours
module and the Viewer window displays contours with the default settings.
3. To visualize the connections better, click on the Gridder module and drag it under the
DuplicateFilter module.

Click on the Gridder module and drag it to

a new location to visualize the connections better.

Sometimes, the default settings are not exactly what we want to show in the Viewer window.

To change the contour properties:

1. Click the Contours module in the Network Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the General tab.
3. Click Automatic next to Level method and choose Min, max, interval. This property section
allows you to set the minimum and maximum contour values, and the contour interval
(number of units between contour lines).
4. In the Property Manager, double-click on the default Level interval value, type 5, and press
ENTER.
5. In the Property Manager, locate the property named Colormap. Click the sample color
spectrum (GrayScale) to the left of the button to open the drop down list. Click Rainbow
to change the colors of the contour lines.

With each contour property change, the contours update automatically in the Viewer window.

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Adjust the Contours properties in the Property Manager.

6.2 - Changing the Transparency - Tutorial

As discussed in A Note About Transparency, the transparency settings may need adjusting to fit the
needs of your project. All of the contours may not be visible in the Viewer window depending on
the transparency settings.

The default Blend transparency type does

not create the ideal output.

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To change the transparency mode to delayed blend choose the View | Transparency Type |
Delayed Blend command. Alternatively, right-click in the Viewer window and select
Transparency Type | Delayed blend from the context menu. Experiment with the transparency
options to see how it affects the scene.

The Delayed Blend as the Transparency Type

is a better choice for this project and
displays the contour lines through
the transparent isosurface.

Lesson 7 - Saving Information

There are several ways to save Voxler information:
• Select File | Save to save the data set and all of its associated modules as a Voxler project
file.
• Select File | Save in the worksheet window to save the worksheet in a data file format.
• Select File | Save Data to save a selected module's data.
• Select File | Save Copy As while viewing linked data in the worksheet to save changes
made to the linked module's data.
• Select File | Export to export graphic files such as bitmaps.
• Select Actions | Copy Snapshot to copy the Viewer window view to the clipboard.
• Select Actions | Capture Video to capture the screen rotation and save to an .AVI.

If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the save or export
commands, so please skip to Lesson 8.

7.1 - Saving a Project - Tutorial

Click the File | Save As command to save the project as a .VOXB file. Voxler project files contain
all of the source data, modules, connections, and graphics.

To save a Voxler project file:

1. Click the File | Save As command. The Save As dialog opens.
2. Type TUTORIAL into the File name field. Note there is only one option in the Save as type
list, Voxler Project Files (*.voxb).

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3. Click the Save button and the dialog closes. The project is saved so that it can be reused in
Voxler. The project file format includes all data, including the raw source modules, and
everything else needed to reload the project in the future.

If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the File | Save or File |
Save As commands.

7.2 - Saving Data - Tutorial

Choose the File | Save Data command to save the output data from the currently selected
module. You may also select the module whose output you want to save, right-click the module and
select Save Data. Data can be saved to many different formats, depending on the type of module
selected.

To save the selected module's output data:

1. Click the DuplicateFilter module in the Network Manager.
2. Click the File | Save Data command. Alternatively, right-click on the module and select
Save Data. The Export dialog appears.
3. Type tutorial duplicate filter into the File name field.
4. Select DAT Golden Software Data (*.dat) in the Save as type box.
5. Click the Save button.
6. In the Data Export Options dialog, accept the defaults and click the OK button. The data
are saved as a point set in the specified location.
If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the File | Save Data
command.

7.3 - Saving a Graphic - Tutorial

Click the File | Export command to export the entire scene. This is a graphics-only export, so no
data are saved for this operation. Voxler is designed to export the visible portion of the plot when
using the File | Export command. It uses the monitor to define the limits of the exported image.
To export a larger or smaller portion of the display, zoom in or out prior to export.

To save a graphic:
1. Click the File | Export command. The Export dialog opens.
2. In the Export dialog, type TUTORIAL GRAPHIC into the File name field.
3. Keep BMP Windows Bitmap (*.bmp) in the Save as type field.
4. Click the Save button. The Export Options dialog opens.
5. In the Export Options dialog, leave the default selections and click the OK button. The
image is saved as a bitmap .BMP file in the specified location.
If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the File | Export
commands.

7.4 - Copying a Snapshot - Tutorial

Choose the Actions | Copy Snapshot command to copy a raster version of the current view of
objects in the Viewer window to the clipboard. The size of the copied image is the same as it
appears in the current Viewer window.

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To paste the raster graphics to another program, switch to the other program and choose the Edit
| Paste command or press CTRL+V.

If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the Actions | Copy
Snapshot command.

7.5 - Capturing a Video - Tutorial

Saving the file to a Voxler .VOXB file using the File | Save command is a great way of sharing
models. Any other Voxler user can open the .VOXB file. The .VOXB file will appear exactly as you
see it. The other person can rotate the graphic to the desired orientation and experiment with any
settings. If the person does not have Voxler, they can download the demo to experiment with the
model themselves.

If the person simply wants to view the model, capturing and sending them a video is a good way to
share the information contained in the Voxler model. You can rotate the view as you create the
video, you can zoom in and out, or turn modules on or off, to present the information in the video
in the way you prefer.

To capture a video:
1. Adjust the Viewer window to the desired size for the video by clicking the window Restore
button. Alternatively you can adjust the size of the Voxler application window. The video
capture will use the size of the current Viewer window. The size of the window will affect the
file size of the final .AVI file.
2. Click the Actions | Capture Video command. The Capture Video dialog opens.
3. Change the Path to specify a location where you want to save the captured video. The
default path location is C:\Users\<user name>\Documents\VoxlerVideo.avi.
4. Adjust the Frame rate to 15, which is a value that produces good results.
5. Adjust the Quality to 80% with the slider.
6. Click the Start Capture button to begin the video capture. The Estimated time (sec),
Estimated file size (MB), and Estimated frames information is dynamically displayed during
capture.
7. Rotate or zoom the Viewer window if you wish.
8. Click the Stop Capture button to end the video capture. The Estimated time (sec), Estimated
file size (MB), and Estimated frames information is statically displayed when the video has
successfully completed.

If you are using the demo version of Voxler you will not be able to use the Actions | Capture
Video command.

Lesson 8 - Importing and Displaying Wells

Voxler can import well data from numerous sources, including from LAS files. Typically the well
data (logs) will be imported from one file and the physical location of the well (collars) will be
imported from another file. Often, trajectory data indicating the direction of the well trace will also
be imported, when the well is not assumed to be vertical.

To start this project in a new empty window, click the File | New | Project command. If you have
not already done so, you can save the previous tutorial information.

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8.1 - Importing Well Collar Data

For this example, well collars, trajectory data, and log data are on three tabs of an Excel
spreadsheet. Each tab is imported separately, with the following steps.
1. Click the File | Import command.
2. In the Import dialog, select the well collar file. For this example, select the SampleWellData
2.xlsx file from the Samples directory. By default, the Samples directory is located at
C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Voxler 4\Samples.
3. Click Open.
4. In the XLSX Import Options dialog, select the Collars table and click OK. A Data Source
module is added to the Network Manager.
5. Click on the SampleWellData 2.xlsx - Collars module to view its properties in the Property
Manager.
6. In the Property Manager
a. In the Output section set the Output type to Wells. Note that the column properties
change from point data properties to well data properties.
b. In the Well Columns section, set the Sheet type to Collars by clicking the current
selection (All) and selecting Collars from the list.
7. Double-click on WellData in the Well folder of the Module Manager, or right-click on the
SampleWellData 2.xlsx - Collars module and select Well | WellData. A WellData module is
added and automatically connected to the collars data module.

In the Property Manager for the SampleWellData 2.xlsx - Collars module, you can see that the
data columns were automatically specified correctly once the Sheet type was changed to Collars.
Voxler assigns data columns based on column order for both well and point data. Refer to the Data
Source Module topic in the online help for more information about automatic column assignment.

In the Property Manager, the Wells page shows the six wells that were imported. If you click on
the next to any well, you can see the Top information that was imported for that well.

The collar information is displayed as the well Top.

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8.2 - Importing Trajectory Data

At this point, all that has been imported is the collar, or top location, of the six wells. The well
trajectory is the trace of the well. The trace defines the way the location of the well moves as it
gets deeper. To import the well trajectories, follow the steps in this section.
1. Click the File | Import command.
2. In the Import dialog, select the well file. Select the SampleWellData 2.xlsx again and click
Open.
3. In the XLSX Import Options dialog, select the Trajectories table and click OK.
4. In Property Manager
a. Check to make sure the Output type is set to Wells. The Output type selection is
remembered from the last import.
b. Change the Sheet type property to Directional Survey. Notice that a different set of
properties is visible in the Property Manager than for the Collars selection in the
previous section. Again the columns are specified correctly because of the order of
the data in the worksheet.
5. Click the output connection pad on the SampleWellData 2.xlsx - Trajectories module.
Next click the input connection pad on the WellData module.
6. In the context menu, select Connect Input worksheet B (not connected) to finish
connecting the two modules.

The information is imported, and the actual X, Y, and Z values for the path of the well are
automatically calculated by the program.

8.3 - Displaying the Wells

At this point, we can display the wells by clicking the Network | Graphics Output | WellRender
command. Alternatively right-click the WellData module in the Network Manager and select
Graphics Output | WellRender. The well traces are then displayed.

The initial well traces are displayed in the Viewer window.

8.4 - Importing Log Data

The well appearance can be altered by importing additional data.
1. Click the File | Import command.
2. In the Import dialog, select the well file. Select the SampleWellData 2.xlsx again and click
Open.
3. In the XLSX Import Options dialog, select the Samples table and click OK.
4. In the Property Manager
a. Again verify that the Output type is set to Wells.
b. Change the Sheet type property to From / To Logs.

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c. Change the Log columns property value to 2 by typing the value in the field or
clicking the button.
d. Click on the current selection in the Log-2 field and select Column E: MnO from the
list.
5. Click the output connection pad on the SampleWellData 2.xlsx - Samples module. Next
click the input connection pad on the WellData module.
6. In the context menu, select Connect Input worksheet C (not connected) to finish
connecting the two modules.

8.5 - Displaying Log Data on the Wells

Once the log data is imported, the well appearance can be modified to display the logs using these
steps:
1. Click on the WellRender module in the Network Manager.
2. Click on the Interval Data tab in the Property Manager.
3. Check the box next to Show intervals to add variable width log information.
4. Change the Interval log to Column E: MnO to use the MnO log To Depth and From Depth as
the interval definition.
5. Change the Color method to By log so the colors of the intervals vary with log data.
6. Set the Color log to Column E: MnO.
7. Change the Colormap to Rainbow to display different colors along the length. The colors are
determined by mapping the values in the MnO log to the colors in the Rainbow colormap.
8. Set the Size method to By log.
9. Set the Size log to Column D: TiO2. The width of the log is now determined by the data in
the TiO2 log.

The wells are now displayed as tubes of variable

width, based on the data in the TiO2 log.

Advanced Tutorials
By completing Lesson 1 through 7 of the tutorial, you now have a basic understanding of Voxler.

The remaining tutorial lessons are optional lessons that are highly recommended. Beginner users
through advanced users can benefit from the additional tutorials.

Lesson 9 - Working with a HeightField module

Lesson 10 - Working with a Math Module

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HeightFields - Advanced Suggestions

This tutorial provides suggestions when using the HeightField module.

Two import methods are discussed in this advanced tutorial. You will import the same grid file using
both methods.

Method 1
In the first method, you will load a Surfer grid file .GRD with a flat Z value where the gridded Z
value is imported as the C value.
1. Click the File | New command to open a new Viewer window.
2. Click the File | Import command.
3. In the Import dialog, select the sample grid file BoulderColorado.grd from the Voxler 4
Samples folder (located at: C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Voxler 4\Samples) and click
the Open button.
4. In the Lattice Import Options dialog, select the Import as uniform lattice (default) option
and click OK. Selecting this option brings the grid file into Voxler so that the Z values are
imported as zeros and the actual Z values are assigned to the C component value, allowing
for XYZC data to be imported into Voxler.
5. The data module BoulderColorado.grd is displayed in the Network Manager. Right-click on
the data module and select Graphics Output | HeightField.
6. Select the BoulderColorado.grd module in the Network Manager to display the properties in
the Property Manager. Click the button to see the data that was imported into
Voxler.
7. In the Lattice View dialog, click the Show: Z Coordinate on the left side. The Z values are
all zeros. Click the Show: Component 1 on the left side. The C values are the grid file Z
values. In order to properly display the elevation values, a scale factor has been added in the
HeightField by default. Click the X button to close the Lattice View dialog.
8. Select the HeightField module in the Network Manager to display the properties in the
Property Manager. Notice that the scale is set to 0.25. Change the Scale to 0 and the grid
file is displayed as a flat surface, because the Z values are actually zeros.
9. Change the Colormap to Rainbow.

Using the Import as Uniform Lattice (default) option imports the

grid file Z values as zeros and the Z values as the component. This is
easy to see when the Scale Factor is set to zero.

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Method 2
In the second method, you will import a Surfer grid file .GRD at correct height, add a HeightField
module, and manually adjust the HeightField properties.
1. Click the File | Import command.
2. In the Import dialog, select the sample grid file BoulderColorado.grd from the Voxler 4
Samples folder (located at: C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Voxler 4\Samples) and click
the Open button.
3. In the Lattice Import Options dialog, select the Import as curvilinear lattice option. Check
the Use component minimum option. Click the OK button.
4. The data module BoulderColorado.grd 2 is displayed in the Network Manager. Right-click
on the data module and select Graphics Output | HeightField.
5. Select the BoulderColorado.grd module in the Network Manager to display the properties in
the Property Manager. Click the button to see the data that was imported into
Voxler.
6. In the Lattice View dialog, click the Show: Z Coordinate on the left side. The Z values are
all the Z data values from the grid file. Click the Show: Component 1 on the left side. The C
values are the grid file Z values. This allows the Z values to be properly display the elevation
values with no scale factor. Click the X button to close the Lattice View dialog.
7. Click on the HeightField 2 module in the Network Manager. In the Property Manager,
change the Colormap to Rainbow.

Using the Import as Curvilinear Lattice option imports the grid file
Z values both as Z values and as the component. This is
easy to see when the Scale is set to zero.

Math Module - Advanced Suggestions

This tutorial provides suggestions when using the Math module.

Working with the Math module to fill between two HeightField modules:
1. Create the top and bottom of the surface grid files in Surfer or another program.
2. In Voxler, click the File | Import command. Select the top surface grid file. Click the OK
button. The data module is loaded into the Network Manager.

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3. Click the File | Import command. Select the bottom surface grid file. Click the OK button.
The data module is loaded into the Network Manager.
4. Click the File | Import command. Select data file that was used to grid the top surface. Set
the X and Y columns to the correct columns. For the Z and C columns, set the value to the
top of the surface.
5. Select the data file in the Network Manager. Right-click on the data module and select
Computational | Gridder to add a Gridder module to grid the data.
6. Select the Gridder module in the Network Manager. In the Property Manager, click the
Begin Gridding button.
7. Right click on the Gridder module in the Network Manager and select Computational |
Math to add a Math module to the gridded data.
8. Select the top of surface grid module in the Network Manager. Right-click and select
Connect output lattice. Drag the connection line to the Math module and select Connect
Input Lattice B.
9. Select the bottom of surface grid module in the Network Manager. Right-click and select
Connect output lattice. Drag the connection line to the Math module and select Connect
Input Lattice C.
10. Select the Math module in the Network Manager. In the Property Manager, change the
Expression[1] to IF Z > B OR Z < C, 0, A.
11. If necessary, attach a Transform to the Math module using the Network | Computational |
Transform command. This may be necessary to scale the Z height.
12. Connect a VolRender to the Transform module, if it exists, or to the Math module using the
Network | Graphics Output | VolRender command. Change any properties of the
volrender.

This example shows all of the data

displayed as a VolRender module.

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The Network Manager contains the original data file, the two grid
files, the Gridder, Math, Transform, and VolRender modules.
Using the Math module allows you to display fill between
two surfaces (as seen below).

The resulting output is a VolRender that displays

the fill between two clay surfaces.

Tutorial Completion

Congratulations, you have completed the Voxler tutorial! Training videos are available on the
Golden Software website.

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