Why beyond conventional, you might ask? Well, the answer is pretty simple. Most geology modelling software for mining, aggregates or mineral exploration will allow users to create triangulated models using implicit modelling techniques. In addition, they typically also support numeric interpolations using RBF’s, OK, or IVD. Of course, GEOREKA can do those as well, and therefore hardly worth mentioning. We have moved beyond that with our volumetric modelling and intuitive machine learning integration. But another thing that makes GEOREKA unique is that it offers a lot more than just basic modelling. And it is all packed into one relatively small software solution. Here, we highlight a number of them.
Beyond Conventional
High-end visualization
Since the very start of GEOREKA (see about us) we have endeavoured to produce high-end 3D visualization. Not just for the ‘wow-factor’, but because visualization forms such an important part of quality control. At each modelling step, visual inspection is crucial. Good visualization is therefore a must. Rendering volumetric functions directly is only recently possible due to major advances in ray-tracing. Especially due to new hardware supporting real-time ray-tracing.
Examples visualizing various types of data
Example of a domain rendered using Raytracing.
Real-time domain previews
For displaying of domains using signed distance functions (https://www.georeka.com/signed-distance-functions-beyond-implicit-modelling/) we use a technique called raytracing. Each function represents a domain, i.e. a volume. Displaying them efficiently, using the latest rendering technologies, has now become possible. Although the technique was already developed several years ago (https://www.kitware.com/gpu-rendering-of-isosurfaces/), customer hardware is now becoming mainstream to be able to make full use of this ability, which what we try to do at GEOREKA.
More information on this topic can be found in the literature from the graphics industry is the use of real-time raytracing as illustrated by NVidia and AMD:
Re-usable workflows
Re-usable, flexible workflows form the core of our modelling engine. GEOREKA is built on flexibility. This means there are no rigid workflows one must follow. Instead, users can create their own as and how they are needed. Of course, it also means sometimes finding the right workflow can be challenging. Our training and support offers general guidelines to inspire, but not limit a user.
Since each workflow is set up visually, it also means a screenshot can be used to explain them to third parties. Moreover, all the tools for building a workflow are in one place, making it easier to look for particular items.
Point clouds
In addition to the great visuals, our contribution in several large research projects has enabled us to develop tools for handling 100’s of millions of points on a good laptop. Lidar scans, photogrammetry or other techniques that produce high-density point clouds can be used seamlessly with any other data. Moreover, some very powerful tools have been added to model these point clouds, especially for tunnels and caves.
Charts / plots
Any point set can be analysed in detail with plots and charts as well. Traditional plots like scatter plots, frequency plots and variograms allow for standard inspection. In addition, some unconventional plots are available as well as part of our ongoing quest to provide new ways to analyse data. A good example is the 3D variogram cloud that can help to confirm orientations.
Interactive
Most plots will have an interactive interface that can be used to select points in these plots to highlight them in 3D, or even to use only those selected points for processing.
Frequency plots, variograms & more
Surface sculpting
Although not a common technique in geology modelling, this can be a very powerful and quick way to update models. Any node in a triangulated surface can be moved while neighbouring triangles are influenced as well.
Fast selections
Not only common selections of interval data down drillholes, GEOREKA will also responsively allow selections on large point clouds with millions of points. This can be an important final step in a modelling process to remove noisy / erroneous points that can be hard to filter by other means.