Create a Block Zip File

Owned by Gemma O'Farrell (Unlicensed)
Mar 04, 2021
1 min read

If you are using MTX or Rapid Reserver, import the blocks directly from the native formats. Otherwise, you can create your own block3D and zip files.

Rapid Reserver

In Rapid Reserver go to Data > Export > Blocks to zip and export the blocks. Make sure that the appropriate level names have been set so that the tree displays correctly in Haul Infinity. 

MTX

When you calculate the Main database in MTX, a block2D file is created in the same directory as the schedule model. 

Other

Haul Infinity reads the block information from a block3D file and an associated folder of 3D objects. 

BEGIN
Reserves\Mine1\Pit1\Stage1\40\1\1\00001,.\3Ds\Reserves_Mine1_Pit1_Stage1_40_1_1_00001.00t
Reserves\Mine1\Pit1\Stage1\40\1\1\00002,.\3Ds\Reserves_Mine1_Pit1_Stage1_40_1_1_00002.00t
Reserves\Mine1\Pit1\Stage1\40\1\1\00003,.\3Ds\Reserves_Mine1_Pit1_Stage1_40_1_1_00003.00t
Reserves\Mine1\Pit1\Stage1\40\1\1\00004,.\3Ds\Reserves_Mine1_Pit1_Stage1_40_1_1_00004.00t
Reserves\Mine1\Pit1\Stage1\40\1\1\00005,.\3Ds\Reserves_Mine1_Pit1_Stage1_40_1_1_00005.00t

Each row in the block3D file is a single block record. The first part of the line is the tree structure, delimited by backslashes. After the comma separator, the second part of the line is the subfolder location of the 3D solid files. 

  • The index file must be named exactly 'blocks.block3d'
  • Make sure there is no comma after 'BEGIN'
  • Make sure there is no comma at the end of any line.

To create your own zip file for import:

  1. Paste a list of solid names in Excel column B
  2. Prepend the solid names with .\3Ds\
  3. Append the solid names with the file extension, such as .00t
  4. Write a logical formula to create the tree structure in column A
  5. Insert a line at the top and enter "BEGIN" into cell A1.
  6. Save as a CSV file
  7. Rename to a block3D file
  8. Create a folder named "3Ds" in the same location
  9. Copy the 3D solid files into the 3Ds folder.
  10. Select the block3D file and the 3Ds folder and zip them together.