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Interpretation Tools

Commands for geological and geoscience interpretation including structural measurements (dip/azimuth), polyline digitization, fault interpretation, stereonet analysis, geobody polygon creation, and channel simulation. These commands appear primarily in the Interpretations ribbon tab and context-sensitive tabs (Stereonet, Geobody, Channel).

Structural Measurements​

Dip/Azimuth (3 Points)​

Ribbon button: 3 Points Tooltip Measure an orientation (dip and azimuth) from three picked points defining a plane.

What it does Measures the orientation (dip direction, dip angle) of a geological plane by clicking three non-collinear points on the surface. VRGS deterministically computes the plane from the three points, then calculates the plane's dip direction (azimuth of maximum slope), dip angle (inclination from horizontal). Results are stored as a structural measurement object.

When to use it

  • Measuring bedding plane orientation on outcrops
  • Determining fault plane attitudes
  • Measuring joint or fracture orientations
  • Recording surface orientations from 3D models
  • Digital field mapping of planar features

Notes

Default tool

This is the most commonly used tool to measure orientations.

Choose widely spaced points (spanning the plane) for accurate measurements. Points close together amplify small positional errors. The measurement includes position (centroid of the three points) and orientation (dip/dip direction/strike).

Dip/Azimuth (N Points)​

Ribbon button: N Points Tooltip Measure an orientation (dip and azimuth) from multiple points for robust orientation measurement.

What it does Measures a plane orientation by fitting to N user-selected points (N ≥ 3). Click multiple points on the surface, and VRGS computes the best-fit plane. More points provide more robust measurements, reduce influence of individual point errors, and allow assessment of fit quality via residuals.

When to use it

  • Measuring an orientations on irregular or noisy surfaces
  • Robust measurement where individual points may be imprecise
  • Assessing planarity and other statistics such as apparent size via residual analysis
  • Measuring weakly defined or weathered surfaces
  • High-precision measurements using many control points

Notes

Optimal Point Count

5-10 points typically provide good balance between robustness and efficiency. More points improve outlier resistance but take longer to pick. Residual errors indicate measurement quality - small residuals mean points are nearly coplanar; large residuals indicate non-planar or poorly picked points.

Least-squares fitting reduces influence of outliers compared to 3-point measurement. Check residuals to identify and exclude outlier points if needed.

Dip/Azimuth (Area)​

Ribbon button: Area Tooltip Measure an average orientation (dip and azimuth) measurement over a selected surface area.

What it does Measures the average orientation of a selected surface region (defined by polygon or brush selection). All triangles or points within the selection contribute to the orientation calculation, providing an area-weighted average. Useful for characterizing orientation of surfaces with local variability or roughness.

When to use it

  • Measuring average bedding orientation across rough surfaces
  • Characterizing orientation of weathered or irregular outcrops
  • Area-weighted measurements for regional analysis
  • Measuring dominant orientation despite local variations
  • Comparing orientations across different surface patches

Notes Area measurement averages out local variations, providing a regional characteristic orientation. This differs from point measurements which sample specific locations. Large area selections on folded or curved surfaces may yield meaningless averages - use on approximately planar regions.

Dip/Azimuth from Attributes​

Ribbon button: Attributes Tooltip Compute an orientation measurement from existing surface attribute data.

What it does Calculates a dip and azimuth value from existing mesh attributes (required a dip and an azimuth attribute). If your mesh already has orientation attributes, this command extracts those as structural values without recalculating from geometry. Useful for batch processing or working with pre-computed orientation data.

When to use it

  • Extracting orientations from pre-computed orientation attributes
  • Batch processing of orientation data
  • Using externally computed orientation fields
  • Converting attribute data to measurement objects
  • Efficient measurement extraction from large meshes

Notes Requires appropriate attribute data (normal vectors, gradient vectors, or orientation parameters). The attribute must contain directional information in a compatible format. This method is faster than recomputing from geometry but depends on attribute quality and accuracy.

Dip/Azimuth (1 Point)​

Ribbon button: 1 Point Tooltip Measure an orientation (dip and azimuth) from a single point using local surface normal.

What it does Measures the orientation of a surface at a single clicked point by computing the local surface normal at that location. For meshes, uses the triangle normal; for point clouds, fits a local plane to nearby points. This provides rapid single-point measurements without manually picking three points.

When to use it

  • Quick measurements on well-defined mesh surfaces
  • Sampling orientations at multiple locations rapidly
  • Measuring where only one measurement point is accessible
  • Batch measurement collection along profiles
  • Verifying mesh surface orientations

Notes Accuracy depends on surface quality and local geometry. On noisy or irregular surfaces, 1-point measurements may be less reliable than 3-point measurements. Best used on smooth, well-resolved meshes. For point clouds, the neighbourhood size for local plane fitting affects results.

Plunge​

Ribbon button: Plunge Tooltip Measure plunge and trend of linear features.

What it does Measures the orientation of linear features (fold axes, lineations, slickenlines, etc.) by defining the feature's trend (horizontal direction) and plunge (inclination from horizontal). Click points along the linear feature to define its direction, and VRGS computes trend and plunge. Results are stored as lineation measurement objects.

When to use it

  • Measuring fold axis orientations
  • Recording lineation directions (mineral lineations, striations)
  • Measuring slickenline orientations on fault surfaces
  • Documenting linear structural features
  • Intersection lineation measurements

Notes

Trend vs Strike

Trend is a direction (0-360°), while strike is a line (reported as 0-180° with dip direction). Plunge is always measured downward (0-90°). Lineations with opposite directions (e.g., 045°/30° vs 225°/30°) are distinct measurements.

Pick at least two points along the linear feature. More points provide better definition if the feature is curved or irregularly expressed.

Polyline Interpretation​

Digitise Polyline​

Ribbon button: Digitise Polyline Tooltip Create polyline by clicking points in 3D view.

What it does Activates polyline digitization mode. Click to place polyline vertices on visible surfaces (meshes, point clouds, or in space). Each click adds a vertex, and vertices are connected by line segments in the order picked. Double-click or press Enter to finish the polyline. Polylines are used for geological contacts, traverse paths, measurement profiles, and feature tracing.

When to use it

  • Digitising geological contacts or boundaries
  • Tracing bedding traces or fault traces
  • Creating traverse paths for sampling
  • Defining measurement profiles or cross-sections
  • Outlining features for interpretation

Notes Polylines can be 2D (projected onto a surface) or 3D (arbitrary path through space). Snapping options help align vertices to mesh edges, existing points, or regular grids. See also: Draw Polyline, Snap Vertices, Snap To Mesh.

Draw Polyline​

Ribbon button: Draw Tooltip Draw polyline by dragging cursor along surfaces.

What it does Activates continuous polyline drawing mode. Click and drag the cursor along surfaces, and the polyline follows your cursor path, automatically placing vertices at regular intervals. Release to finish drawing. This "sketch" mode is faster than clicking individual points for long, smooth polylines following visible features.

When to use it

  • Quickly tracing long geological contacts
  • Following visible lineaments or edges
  • Sketching approximate polylines for refinement later
  • Tracing features along surfaces continuously
  • Rapid digitization of obvious boundaries

Notes

Drawing Speed

Draw at moderate speed - too fast may create jagged polylines with insufficient vertices; too slow is inefficient. Vertex spacing is typically controlled by draw settings (distance or time intervals).

Drawn polylines can be refined afterwards using "Move Vertices" to adjust positions precisely. This workflow (quick draw, then refine) is often faster than precise point-by-point clicking.

Digitise Points​

Ribbon button: Digitise Points (under Polyline or Geobody) Tooltip Digitise discrete points rather than connected polyline.

What it does Activates point digitization mode similar to polyline mode, but vertices are not connected by line segments. Each click places an independent point object. Useful for recording discrete sample locations, measurement sites, or feature locations that aren't connected linearly.

When to use it

  • Recording sample locations or measurement sites
  • Marking discrete feature locations (fossils, minerals, etc.)
  • Documenting specific points of interest
  • Creating point data for spatial analysis
  • Placing control points or reference markers

Notes Points can store attributes (labels, descriptions, measurements) making them suitable for field notes or sample databases. Points can later be connected into polylines if needed, or used independently for spatial analysis.

Snap Vertices​

Ribbon button: Snap Vertices Tooltip Enable vertex snapping to align polyline points to grid or geometry.

What it does Toggles vertex snapping mode for polyline digitization. When enabled, vertices snap to nearby mesh edges, existing polyline vertices, grid intersections, or other reference features when placing or moving vertices. Snapping helps create precisely aligned polylines and ensures vertices coincide with specific geometric features.

When to use it

  • Aligning polylines to mesh edges
  • Connecting polylines end-to-end precisely
  • Ensuring vertices lie exactly on specific features
  • Creating networks of connected polylines (e.g., fault systems)
  • Maintaining geometric consistency in complex interpretations

Notes

Snap Tolerance

Snapping occurs within a tolerance distance (typically adjustable in settings). Vertices snap to the nearest feature within tolerance. Too large tolerance causes unwanted snapping; too small makes snapping difficult.

Snapping can target different feature types (edges, vertices, grid, etc.) - configure snap targets in settings. Temporarily disable snapping (toggle off) when precise free placement is needed.

Snap To Mesh​

Ribbon button: Snap To Mesh Tooltip Project polyline vertices onto nearest mesh surface.

What it does Projects all vertices of the selected polyline onto the nearest mesh surface by moving each vertex perpendicular to the surface until it intersects the mesh. This ensures polylines lie exactly on mesh surfaces rather than floating above/below. Useful for ensuring geological contacts drawn on meshes are precisely on the surface.

When to use it

  • Correcting floating polylines to lie on mesh surfaces
  • Ensuring contacts precisely follow surface topology
  • Fixing polylines digitised with positioning errors
  • Projecting 2D traces onto 3D surfaces
  • Aligning imported polylines to local meshes

Notes Snapping finds the nearest surface point for each vertex - on complex geometries with overhangs or folds, ensure vertices snap to the intended surface. Vertices project along the surface normal or vertically (depending on settings). Check results carefully on complex surfaces.

Move Vertices​

Ribbon button: Move Vertices Tooltip Enter edit mode to move polyline vertices.

What it does Activates vertex editing mode for selected polylines. Click and drag vertices to new positions in 3D space. Vertices can be moved freely, or constrained to surfaces if snapping is enabled. This allows refinement of polyline positions after initial digitization.

When to use it

  • Refining polyline positions after initial digitization
  • Correcting vertex placement errors
  • Adjusting polylines to better match features
  • Iterative refinement of interpretation
  • Repositioning polylines after mesh updates

Notes While in vertex edit mode, click vertices to select them, then drag to move. Multiple vertices can typically be selected (box select or shift-click) and moved together. Exit edit mode when finished to return to navigation mode.

Erase Vertices​

Ribbon button: Erase Vertices Tooltip Delete polyline vertices to simplify or shorten polylines.

What it does Activates vertex deletion mode. Click on polyline vertices to delete them. Remaining vertices are re-connected, effectively shortening or simplifying the polyline. Useful for removing unwanted vertices, simplifying overly detailed polylines, or truncating polylines.

When to use it

  • Simplifying polylines with excessive vertices
  • Removing digitization errors (mistaken clicks)
  • Truncating polylines to desired length
  • Cleaning up automatically generated polylines
  • Removing vertices in problematic areas

Notes

Polyline Integrity

Deleting vertices changes polyline shape - the remaining segments connect directly, potentially altering the path. Delete carefully, especially on polylines representing important boundaries. Undo is available if you delete incorrectly.

Alternatively, split the polyline at the desired location rather than erasing vertices if you want to preserve both segments.

Add Node​

Ribbon button: Add Node Tooltip Insert new vertex into existing polyline segment.

What it does Allows insertion of new vertices into existing polyline segments. Click on a polyline segment (between existing vertices) to add a new vertex at that location. The new vertex splits the segment into two sub-segments. Useful for adding detail to sparse polylines or inserting vertices at specific feature locations.

When to use it

  • Adding detail to sparse polylines
  • Inserting vertices at specific feature locations after initial digitization
  • Increasing vertex density in curved sections
  • Adding control points for later editing
  • Refining polyline shape by adding detail

Notes The new vertex is placed where you click on the segment. It can then be moved (using Move Vertices) to adjust position. Adding many nodes allows detailed feature representation but makes the polyline more complex to manage.

Join Lines​

Ribbon button: Join Lines Tooltip Connect multiple polylines end-to-end into single polyline.

What it does Merges selected polylines into a single continuous polyline by connecting them end-to-end. Polylines are joined in selection order, with the endpoint of one connecting to the start point of the next. Useful for combining polyline segments digitised separately into a single feature.

When to use it

  • Combining polyline segments into continuous features
  • Joining contacts digitised in separate sections
  • Creating long polylines from multiple short segments
  • Cleaning up segmented interpretations
  • Building continuous fault traces from segments

Notes

Endpoint Matching

Joining assumes polylines should connect end-to-end. If endpoints don't coincide precisely, a connecting segment is added. Large gaps indicate the polylines may not be intended to connect - verify selection before joining.

Joined polylines become a single object. To reverse, split the polyline at vertices where segments originally joined.

Split Line​

Ribbon button: Split Line Tooltip Split polyline into two separate polylines at selected vertex.

What it does Splits a polyline into two independent polylines at a selected vertex location. Click on a polyline vertex, and the polyline is divided at that point, creating two new polylines (one containing vertices from the start to the split point, the other from the split point to the end). Opposite operation of Join Lines.

When to use it

  • Separating incorrectly joined polylines
  • Dividing long polylines into manageable segments
  • Extracting portions of polylines for separate analysis
  • Splitting polylines where interpretation changes (e.g., fault type changes)
  • Creating multiple features from a single digitized line

Notes The split vertex appears in both resulting polylines (as the endpoint of one and start point of the other). Splitting doesn't change geometry, only creates two independent objects. Attributes (labels, properties) may be inherited by both segments or assigned separately.

Draw Contour​

Ribbon button: Draw Contour Tooltip Draw contour polyline at constant elevation or attribute value.

What it does Activates contour drawing mode where polylines are constrained to constant elevation (Z-value) or constant attribute value as you draw. This ensures the drawn polyline represents an isoline (contour) on the surface. Useful for digitising stratigraphic contacts, topographic contours, or other features that should follow constant-value lines.

When to use it

  • Digitising stratigraphic contacts at constant elevation
  • Drawing topographic contours on surfaces
  • Tracing isovalue lines (constant attribute values)
  • Ensuring contacts are horizontal or follow specific elevations
  • Creating elevation-constrained interpretations

Notes

Contour Mode

In contour mode, vertices automatically snap to the specified elevation or attribute value on the surface. Manually specified Z-values or attribute thresholds control the contour level.

Contour polylines are particularly important in structural geology for mapping horizontal or sub-horizontal features (bed boundaries, water tables, etc.).

Fault Interpretation​

Digitise Fault​

Ribbon button: Digitse Fault Tooltip Create fault surface by digitising fault traces or sticks.

What it does Activates fault digitization mode to create fault surface interpretations. Faults can be digitised as collections of traces (polylines) at different elevations or positions that are interpolated into a continuous surface. You define the fault by picking traces or "sticks" that represent the fault's position, and VRGS generates a triangulated surface connecting them.

When to use it

  • Interpreting fault surfaces from 3D outcrop or seismic data
  • Mapping faults across multiple cross-sections or surfaces
  • Creating 3D fault models from observed fault traces
  • Structural interpretation of faulted terrains
  • Building fault networks for geological modelling

Notes Faults are typically defined by multiple traces or sticks representing the fault at different locations. More sticks provide better surface definition. Fault surfaces can have complex geometry (curved, folded, branching). See also: Add Stick, Join Faults, Split Fault, Extend Fault.

Add Stick​

Ribbon button: Add stick Tooltip Add additional fault trace (stick) to existing fault surface.

What it does Adds a new fault trace ("stick") to an existing fault interpretation. A stick is a polyline representing the fault's position at a particular location (e.g., on a cross-section, outcrop surface, or at a specific elevation). The fault surface is reinterpolated to incorporate the new stick, refining the 3D fault geometry.

When to use it

  • Adding detail to existing fault interpretations
  • Incorporating new data (new cross-sections, outcrops) into fault models
  • Refining fault surface geometry
  • Constraining fault shape with additional control data
  • Building complex faults incrementally

Notes Sticks should be placed where the fault location is well-constrained (visible traces, seismic reflections, etc.). More sticks improve surface accuracy but increase complexity. Sticks are typically digitised as polylines on surfaces or cross-sections, then assigned to the fault.

Join Faults​

Ribbon button: Join Tooltip Merge selected faults into single continuous fault surface.

What it does Joins multiple fault surfaces into a single continuous fault. Selected faults are merged, with their sticks/traces combined into one fault object. Interpolation is recomputed across all sticks to create a unified surface. Useful for combining fault segments that represent a single continuous fault.

When to use it

  • Combining fault segments into continuous faults
  • Joining faults digitised separately that should be connected
  • Building large fault systems from smaller components
  • Cleaning up segmented fault interpretations
  • Creating through-going faults from partial traces

Notes

Fault Geometry

Joining faults assumes they should be continuous. If faults have incompatible geometries (large gaps, inconsistent orientations), the interpolated surface may be unrealistic. Verify that faults should truly connect before joining.

Joined faults become a single object with all contributing sticks. To reverse, split the fault or delete unwanted sticks.

Split Fault​

Ribbon button: Split Tooltip Divide fault surface into separate faults at specified location.

What it does Splits a fault surface into two independent faults, typically at a specified stick location or along a division line. The resulting faults contain subsets of the original sticks and are interpolated independently. Opposite operation of Join Faults.

When to use it

  • Separating incorrectly joined faults
  • Dividing complex faults into simpler segments for separate analysis
  • Isolating fault portions with different characteristics
  • Creating multiple faults from a single interpretation
  • Extracting fault segments for detailed modelling

Notes The split location determines how sticks are divided between the resulting faults. Splitting doesn't alter stick geometry, only creates independent fault objects. Each resulting fault can be edited, styled, or analysed separately.

Extend Fault​

Ribbon button: Extend Fault Tooltip Extrapolate fault surface beyond digitised extents.

What it does Extends fault surfaces beyond their current defined extents by extrapolating from existing sticks. The fault surface is projected outward using the interpreted geometry (strike, dip) derived from existing sticks. Useful for extrapolating faults into areas with no direct observations or extending faults to intersect other geological features.

When to use it

  • Extrapolating faults beyond observed traces
  • Extending faults to model boundaries
  • Projecting faults to intersect other features (horizons, other faults)
  • Completing fault geometry in areas with limited data
  • Creating fault models for forward modelling or simulation

Notes

Extrapolation Uncertainty

Extended portions of faults are interpretive and uncertain. Extrapolation assumes constant or smoothly varying geometry, which may not reflect reality. Use cautiously and validate against any available data.

Fault extension distance and direction may be controlled by parameters (distance, azimuth, dip continuation). Be explicit about which portions of faults are observed vs extrapolated in final interpretations.

Stereonet Analysis​

Stereonet (stereographic projection) tools are used for analysing and visualising orientation data (planes, lines) in structural geology.

Show Poles​

Ribbon button: Poles Tooltip Display orientation data as poles on stereographic projection.

What it does Plots planar orientation measurements as poles (perpendicular vectors) on a lower-hemisphere equal-area stereographic projection (stereonet). Each plane is represented by a point indicating where its pole intersects the lower hemisphere. Poles cluster where planes have similar orientations, enabling visual analysis of orientation distributions.

When to use it

  • Visualising orientation data distributions
  • Identifying preferred orientations (clusters)
  • Comparing multiple orientation sets
  • Preparing data for statistical analysis
  • Interpreting structural domains

Notes

Stereonet Conventions

Lower-hemisphere equal-area projection is standard in structural geology. Poles pointing downward plot within the stereonet primitive circle; upward-pointing poles would plot outside (rarely shown). Equal-area projection preserves density for statistical analysis.

Pole density indicates dominant orientations - tight clusters mean consistent orientations; scattered poles indicate variable or dispersed orientations. See also: Contours, Means, Statistics.

Show Planes​

Ribbon button: Planes Tooltip Display planar orientations as great circles on stereonet.

What it does Plots planar orientations as great circles (trace of plane through stereonet sphere) on stereographic projection. Each plane appears as a curved line (great circle) on the stereonet. Intersections of great circles indicate common lineations or intersections between planes. Useful for visualising plane orientations directly rather than as poles.

When to use it

  • Visualising plane orientations directly
  • Identifying plane intersections (lineations)
  • Comparing plane orientations visually
  • Teaching or presentation of structural data
  • Identifying axial planes or symmetry planes

Notes Great circles can create cluttered plots with many planes. For large datasets, poles or contours are often clearer. Great circles are useful when visualising a few specific planes or analysing plane intersections.

Show Vectors​

Ribbon button: Vectors Tooltip Display linear orientations as vectors on stereonet.

What it does Plots linear orientation data (lineations, fold axes, plunges) as vectors (arrows or points) on the stereonet. Each lineation plots as a point where the linear feature pierces the lower hemisphere. Unlike poles (which represent planes), vectors represent actual linear directions.

When to use it

  • Visualising lineation orientations
  • Plotting fold axes or intersection lineations
  • Comparing linear fabric orientations
  • Analysing linear structural elements
  • Plotting movement vectors or transport directions

Notes Linear data (vectors) plot as single points, unlike planes which plot as great circles. Lineations can be plotted with or without sense (directional arrows vs simple points). For non-directed lineations (e.g., mineral lineations without transport direction), both ends of the vector are equivalent.

Show Means​

Ribbon button: Means Tooltip Display mean orientation vectors for selected datasets.

What it does Calculates and displays mean orientation vectors for selected orientation datasets. For planes, computes the mean pole (average orientation); for lineations, computes mean vector. Means are plotted on the stereonet as distinct symbols (e.g., large dots, crosses) often with confidence cones indicating statistical scatter. Useful for summarizing orientation populations.

When to use it

  • Summarizing orientation datasets with single representative orientations
  • Comparing mean orientations between different domains or rock units
  • Statistical analysis of structural fabrics
  • Identifying principal orientations from scattered data
  • Presentation of representative orientations

Notes

Mean Calculation Methods

Multiple methods exist for calculating mean orientations (Fisher, Bingham, etc.), each appropriate for different data distributions. Ensure appropriate statistical method is used for your data characteristics.

Confidence cones around means indicate uncertainty - tighter cones mean more consistent data; wider cones indicate greater scatter. See also: Statistics.

Contours​

Ribbon button: Contours Tooltip Display density contours of orientation data on stereonet.

What it does Computes and displays density contours (isolines of constant point density) on the stereonet for pole or vector datasets. High-density regions (where many measurements cluster) appear as contour centers or "maxima", indicating preferred orientations. Contours provide visual and quantitative assessment of orientation distributions and preferred orientations.

When to use it

  • Identifying preferred orientations in large datasets
  • Quantifying orientation clustering
  • Comparing orientation concentrations between datasets
  • Defining structural domains based on orientation patterns
  • Publication-quality presentation of orientation data

Notes Contouring algorithms use kernel density estimation with configurable smoothing parameters (counting circle size). Smaller counting circles reveal fine detail; larger circles smooth data but may obscure real variations. Contour intervals can be linear, logarithmic, or percentile-based. See also: Log Scale, Intensity Plot, Solid Fill.

Log Scale​

Ribbon button: Log Scale Tooltip Use logarithmic contour intervals for density visualization.

What it does Toggles logarithmic contour intervals for stereonet density contours. Linear intervals space contours evenly (e.g., every 1% density); logarithmic intervals space contours logarithmically (e.g., 0.1%, 1%, 10%). Logarithmic scaling enhances visualization of both low-density and high-density regions simultaneously, preventing high-concentration maxima from dominating the plot.

When to use it

  • Visualising both weak and strong orientation concentrations simultaneously
  • Datasets with extreme density variations (background scatter + tight clusters)
  • Emphasizing low-density features that would be invisible with linear scaling
  • Identifying multiple concentration maxima of varying strength

Notes

Scale Selection

Use logarithmic scale for datasets with >10× variation in density (strong maxima + scattered background). Use linear scale for relatively uniform distributions where all features have similar concentrations.

Logarithmic contours are standard in many structural geology applications but can be unfamiliar to non-specialists. Label contours clearly with actual density values.

Intensity Plot​

Ribbon button: Intensity Plot Tooltip Display stereonet data as colour-coded intensity map.

What it does Displays stereonet orientation density as a continuous colour-coded intensity map (heat map) instead of discrete contour lines. High-density regions appear in warm colours (red, orange); low-density regions in cool colours (blue, violet) or transparent. Provides intuitive visualization of orientation concentrations without contour line clutter.

When to use it

  • Intuitive presentation of orientation data for non-specialists
  • Publications and reports requiring clear visual communication
  • Emphasizing orientation concentrations without contour interpretation
  • Comparing multiple stereonets visually
  • Teaching or demonstration contexts

Notes Colour scales should be chosen carefully - perceptually uniform colour maps (viridis, inferno) are recommended over rainbow scales which can mislead. Intensity plots are visually appealing but quantitative analysis still requires contours or statistics. See also: Solid Fill.

Solid Fill​

Ribbon button: Solid Fill Tooltip Fill contour intervals with solid colours.

What it does Fills the areas between contour lines with solid colours corresponding to density levels, creating a filled contour map. Each contour interval is assigned a distinct colour, making concentration patterns highly visible. Combines aspects of contour plots (discrete intervals) and intensity plots (colour-coded regions).

When to use it

  • Clear visualization of concentration zones
  • Emphasizing discrete density intervals
  • Publications requiring distinct density categories
  • Identifying and labeling specific concentration levels
  • Visual comparison of multiple stereonets

Notes Colour choices affect interpretation - ensure sufficient contrast between adjacent intervals. Too many intervals create visual clutter; too few obscure detail. 4-6 intervals typically provide good balance. Solid fill plots emphasize discrete boundaries between density levels which may appear more definite than statistical uncertainty warrants.

Invert Scale​

Ribbon button: Invert Scale Tooltip Reverse colour scale for intensity or filled contour plots.

What it does Inverts the colour scale used for intensity plots or solid-filled contours, reversing the association between density and colour. If high density was red and low density blue, inversion makes high density blue and low density red (or warm↔cool). Useful for adapting colour scales to different presentation contexts or colour-blind accessible palettes.

When to use it

  • Adapting plots for specific publication requirements
  • Ensuring accessibility for colour-blind readers
  • Matching colour conventions of specific fields or journals
  • Personal preference or institutional standards
  • Creating negative/inverted visualizations

Notes Colour scale inversion is purely visual - the underlying data and contour intervals remain unchanged. Choose colour scales deliberately and label them clearly to avoid confusion, especially when inverted scales differ from convention.

Statistics​

Ribbon button: Statistics Tooltip Display statistical summaries of orientation data.

What it does Opens dialogue or panel displaying statistical summaries of selected orientation datasets including mean orientation, confidence intervals, concentration parameters (Fisher k, von Mises κ), dispersion measures, and population statistics (n, clustering degree). Provides quantitative characterization of orientation distributions for rigorous analysis.

When to use it

  • Quantitative analysis of orientation data
  • Comparing datasets statistically
  • Reporting orientation characterization in publications
  • Assessing data quality and consistency
  • Defining structural domains quantitatively
  • Testing hypotheses about orientation distributions

Notes

Statistical Methods

Various statistical distributions model orientation data (Fisher, Bingham, Watson, von Mises). Choose appropriate distribution based on data characteristics (clustered vs dispersed, axial vs directional, 3D vs 2D). Consult structural geology or statistical references for appropriate method selection.

Key statistics include mean orientation (representative direction), confidence cone (95% confidence around mean), concentration parameter (degree of clustering), and goodness-of-fit tests. High concentration = tight clustering; low concentration = dispersed or uniform distribution.

Show Rose Diagram​

Ribbon button: Show Rose Tooltip Display orientation data as rose diagram (azimuthal histogram).

What it does Generates a rose diagram (azimuthal frequency diagram) showing the distribution of strike or trend directions as a circular histogram. Each wedge represents a directional bin (e.g., 10° wide), with wedge length proportional to the number of measurements in that direction. Rose diagrams emphasize azimuthal (compass direction) patterns, ignoring dip or plunge.

When to use it

  • Visualising directional trends (strike, fracture orientation, current direction)
  • Identifying preferred azimuthal directions
  • Comparing directional fabrics between locations or rock types
  • Assessing anisotropy or directional patterns
  • Analyzing fracture or joint orientations

Notes Rose diagrams only show horizontal direction (azimuth/strike), not inclination. They're complementary to stereonets which show both direction and inclination. Bin width affects diagram appearance - too narrow creates noise; too wide obscures detail. 10-20° bins are typical.

Strike Values​

Ribbon button: Strike Values Tooltip Plot strike azimuths on rose diagram instead of dip directions.

What it does Toggles rose diagram to plot strike directions (line of intersection between plane and horizontal) instead of dip directions. Strike is perpendicular to dip direction and represents the horizontal orientation of tilted planes. This toggle allows analyzing either strike or dip direction patterns on the rose diagram.

When to use it

  • Analyzing strike patterns of bedding or foliation
  • Identifying fold axial trace directions (parallel to strike)
  • Comparing strike orientations across regions
  • Assessing regional structural trends
  • Structural domain analysis

Notes Strike is bidirectional (a plane striking 045° also strikes 225°) - conventionally, strike is reported in the range 000-180° with dip direction specified separately. Rose diagrams may display both opposing strikes or follow the right-hand rule (strike in dip-right direction).

Stereonet Selection Tools​

Rectangle Select​

Ribbon button: Rectangle Tooltip Select data within rectangular region on stereonet.

What it does Activates rectangular selection tool for stereonet. Click and drag to define a rectangle on the stereonet plot, and all poles/vectors within the rectangle are selected. Selected data can be analyzed separately, hidden, or assigned to subsets. Useful for isolating specific orientation populations from larger datasets.

When to use it

  • Selecting orientation subsets for separate analysis
  • Isolating clustered populations from scattered background
  • Defining structural domains based on orientation
  • Extracting specific orientation ranges
  • Interactive data filtering

Notes Rectangle selection in stereonet space selects ranges of orientations - a rectangle near the center selects sub-horizontal orientations; a rectangle near the edge selects steep orientations. Selected data can typically be exported, styled differently, or analyzed with separate statistics.

Ellipse Select​

Ribbon button: Ellipse Tooltip Select data within elliptical region on stereonet.

What it does Activates elliptical selection tool for stereonet. Click and drag to define an ellipse on the stereonet plot, selecting all poles/vectors within the ellipse. Ellipses better fit elongated orientation clusters than rectangles, providing more precise population selection.

When to use it

  • Selecting elongated orientation clusters
  • Isolating orientation girdles (linear distributions on stereonet)
  • Defining elliptical confidence regions
  • Selecting specific orientation populations with natural elliptical distributions

Notes Ellipse shape and orientation can typically be adjusted after initial placement. Elongated ellipses are particularly useful for selecting girdle distributions (orientations along a great circle, indicating folding or reorientation).

Polyline Select​

Ribbon button: Polyline Tooltip Select data within arbitrary polygonal region on stereonet.

What it does Activates freeform polygonal selection tool for stereonet. Click to place vertices defining a polygon boundary on the stereonet; double-click to close the polygon and select all poles/vectors within. Provides maximum flexibility for selecting irregular orientation populations.

When to use it

  • Selecting irregularly shaped orientation populations
  • Precise selection around complex concentration patterns
  • Excluding specific orientations from within broader selections
  • Defining multiple disconnected populations (multi-polygon selection)

Notes Polygonal selection allows you to define arbitrarily complex selection boundaries, following the actual distribution of your data. Useful when populations have irregular shapes that don't fit rectangles or ellipses well.

Sector Select​

Ribbon button: Sector Tooltip Select data within azimuthal sector (wedge) on stereonet.

What it does Activates sector (wedge) selection tool for stereonet. Define a sector by clicking to set the center angle and dragging to set the wedge width. All poles/vectors within the sector are selected. Sectors select specific azimuthal (compass direction) ranges regardless of dip/plunge.

When to use it

  • Selecting orientations within specific azimuthal ranges (e.g., all NE-trending features)
  • Analyzing directional subsets
  • Separating populations by strike direction
  • Defining domains based on compass direction
  • Regional trend analysis

Notes Sector width and center direction are typically adjustable. Sectors extend from the stereonet center to the edge, selecting all inclinations within the specified azimuthal range. Useful for analyses focusing on directional (azimuthal) patterns.

Hide Unselected​

Ribbon button: Hide Unselected Tooltip Hide non-selected data points on stereonet display.

What it does Toggles visibility of unselected data on the stereonet. When enabled, only selected data points are visible; all other data is hidden. This focuses the view on selected populations, making patterns within the selection more apparent. Useful for analyzing subsets without visual distraction from other data.

When to use it

  • Focusing on selected orientation populations
  • Comparing selected subset statistics to full dataset
  • Creating publication-quality plots showing specific populations
  • Reducing visual clutter when analyzing subsets
  • Iterative subset analysis

Notes Hidden data is not deleted, only hidden from view. Toggle off to restore visibility of all data. Hidden data is still included in calculations unless explicitly excluded - hiding affects only visualization.

Geobody Polygon Interpretation​

Digitise Geobody Polygon​

Ribbon button: Geo Polygon / Digitise Points Tooltip Create geobody polygon by digitising boundary points.

What it does Activates geobody polygon digitization mode. Click to place vertices defining the boundary of a geological body (geobody) on outcrop surfaces or cross-sections. Geobodies represent 3D rock volumes (sand bodies, lenses, channels, etc.) defined by their boundaries. Vertices define the geobody extent, and the interior can be attributed with properties (lithology, facies, sedimentary structures).

When to use it

  • Mapping sand bodies or sedimentary units
  • Digitising channel fills or lenticular bodies
  • Defining rock volumes for reservoir characterization
  • Sedimentological interpretation of depositional bodies
  • Creating 3D geobody models for simulation

Notes

3D Geobodies

Geobody polygons are typically digitised on multiple surfaces or cross-sections, then interpolated into 3D volumes. A single 2D polygon defines the geobody on one surface; multiple polygons on different surfaces define its 3D extent.

Geobody polygons can store attributes (lithology, porosity, paleocurrent direction, etc.) for quantitative characterization. See also: Create Geobody from Polylines.

Create Geobody from Polylines​

Ribbon button: Create from polylines / Create Geobody Tooltip Generate 3D geobody volume from bounding polylines.

What it does Generates a 3D geobody volume by interpolating between multiple polylines that define the geobody's boundaries at different locations (e.g., on different cross-sections, outcrop surfaces, or depth levels). The algorithm creates a volumetric object (typically a tetrahedral mesh or voxel model) filling the space defined by the bounding polylines.

When to use it

  • Creating 3D geobody volumes from 2D interpretations
  • Generating volumetric models from cross-section interpretations
  • Building reservoir models from well log correlations
  • Interpolating between geobody extent polylines
  • Creating 3D sedimentary body models

Notes Bounding polylines should define the geobody extent on multiple parallel or intersecting surfaces. More bounding polylines provide better volume definition. The interpolation algorithm (Delaunay, implicit surface, etc.) affects the resulting volume shape - ensure appropriate method for your geometry.

Geobody Select Nodes​

Ribbon button: Select Nodes Tooltip Select geobody polygon vertices for editing.

What it does Activates node selection mode for geobody polygons. Click on geobody vertices (nodes) to select them. Selected nodes can then be moved, deleted, or modified to adjust geobody shape. Useful for refining geobody boundaries after initial digitization.

When to use it

  • Refining geobody polygon boundaries
  • Adjusting geobody extent after initial interpretation
  • Correcting vertex placement errors
  • Editing geobodies interactively

Notes Multiple nodes can typically be selected (shift-click or box select) and edited simultaneously. Node selection is the first step in most geobody editing workflows - select nodes, then use Move Nodes or other editing commands.

Geobody Move Nodes​

Ribbon button: Move Nodes Tooltip Move selected geobody polygon vertices.

What it does Activates node movement mode for selected geobody polygon vertices. Click and drag selected nodes to new positions. The geobody polygon boundary updates in real-time as nodes move, allowing interactive refinement of geobody shape.

When to use it

  • Adjusting geobody boundaries after initial digitization
  • Refining geobody shape to better match features
  • Correcting positioning errors
  • Interactive geobody editing

Notes Nodes can typically be moved freely in 3D space or constrained to surfaces (depending on settings). Moving nodes changes the geobody polygon boundary but not its connectivity - nodes remain connected to their original neighbors.

Geobody Interpolate Nodes​

Ribbon button: Interpolate Nodes Tooltip Add interpolated nodes between existing geobody polygon vertices.

What it does Inserts new nodes (vertices) between existing nodes by interpolation, increasing geobody polygon resolution. The new nodes are placed along the edges between existing nodes, effectively subdividing the polygon into more segments. Useful for adding detail to coarse geobody polygons or preparing polygons for fine editing.

When to use it

  • Increasing geobody polygon resolution
  • Adding detail to coarse boundaries
  • Preparing polygons for detailed editing
  • Refining curved boundaries with insufficient vertices

Notes

Interpolation Strategy

Interpolation typically uses linear (straight line between nodes) or spline (smooth curve) methods. Linear preserves original shape; spline smooths the boundary. Choose appropriately based on whether original vertices represent abrupt changes (use linear) or sparse samples of smooth boundaries (use spline).

After interpolation, use Move Nodes to adjust the new vertices if needed.

Geobody Display - Lines/Planes/Vertices​

Ribbon buttons: Lines, Planes, Vertices Tooltip Toggle display of geobody polygon edges, faces, and vertices.

What it does Toggles visualization of different geobody polygon components:

  • Lines: Display polygon edges (boundaries between vertices)
  • Planes: Display filled polygons (geobody interiors)
  • Vertices: Display polygon vertices (nodes) as points

These toggles control which visual elements are shown, useful for different editing and analysis tasks.

When to use it

  • Lines: Emphasizing geobody boundaries, measuring boundary lengths
  • Planes: Showing geobody extent and area, color-coded by attributes
  • Vertices: Editing vertex positions, assessing polygon resolution

Notes Multiple display modes can be enabled simultaneously (e.g., show both lines and planes for complete visualization). Disabling planes shows only outlines, useful for overlaying geobodies on other data without obscuring it. Showing vertices is essential during editing to precisely select and move nodes.

Channel Simulation​

Start Simulation​

Ribbon button: Start Tooltip Begin channel simulation to model sedimentary channel evolution.

What it does Starts the channel simulation algorithm that models the evolution and migration of sedimentary channels based on geological rules and parameters (e.g., sinuosity, migration rate, avulsion frequency). The simulation runs forward in time, creating a sequence of channel configurations that represent depositional history. Results are used for modeling fluvial reservoirs or deltaic systems.

When to use it

  • Modeling channelized reservoir architecture
  • Simulating fluvial or deltaic depositional systems
  • Creating realistic channel belt models for reservoir simulation
  • Understanding channel migration and avulsion patterns
  • Forward modeling of sedimentary systems

Notes

Simulation Parameters

Channel simulation requires parameters including initial channel geometry, flow direction, migration rate, sinuosity preferences, and avulsion criteria. These are typically set before starting simulation. Adjust parameters to match observed channel characteristics.

Simulations can run for specified numbers of timesteps or until certain conditions are met. Results include channel centerlines, bar deposits, and floodplain architecture. See also: Step, Stop, Record.

Step Simulation​

Ribbon button: Step Tooltip Advance channel simulation by one timestep.

What it does Advances the channel simulation by a single timestep, allowing step-by-step examination of channel evolution. After each step, channel configuration updates and you can inspect the results before proceeding. Useful for understanding simulation behavior or identifying specific stages of interest.

When to use it

  • Examining simulation behavior step-by-step
  • Identifying key stages in channel evolution
  • Debugging simulation parameters
  • Teaching or demonstrating channel migration processes
  • Fine control over simulation progression

Notes Stepping through simulations is slower than running continuously but provides detailed control and understanding. Use for initial parameter tuning, then run continuously for production simulations once behavior is validated.

Stop Simulation​

Ribbon button: Stop Tooltip Halt running channel simulation.

What it does Stops a running channel simulation immediately, preserving the current state. The simulation can be resumed (continuing from current state) or reset. Useful for pausing long simulations to inspect intermediate results or stopping simulations that have reached desired states.

When to use it

  • Pausing simulations to inspect intermediate states
  • Stopping simulations that have reached satisfactory results
  • Halting simulations that are behaving unexpectedly
  • Interrupting long-running simulations

Notes Stopped simulations typically retain their current state - you can resume to continue or reset to start over. Consider recording intermediate states (using Record) before stopping if you may want to return to specific configurations.

Reset Simulation​

Ribbon button: Reset Tooltip Reset channel simulation to initial conditions.

What it does Resets the channel simulation to its initial state, clearing all evolution history. The simulation returns to the starting channel configuration as if it hadn't been run. Useful for starting fresh with different parameters or rerunning simulations.

When to use it

  • Starting over after changing simulation parameters
  • Clearing unwanted simulation results
  • Rerunning simulations with different initial conditions
  • Resetting after testing or exploration

Notes

Data Loss

Reset clears all simulation history - ensure important results are recorded before resetting. Once reset, previous simulation states cannot be recovered.

If you want to preserve current results and try alternatives, record the current state before resetting.

Record Geomodel​

Ribbon button: Record Geomodel Tooltip Save current channel simulation state as permanent geological model.

What it does Records the current channel simulation state as a permanent geological model (geomodel) object. The channel configuration, bar deposits, and architectural elements are converted from transient simulation data into persistent geobodies or meshes that can be analyzed, exported, or used in reservoir models. This captures specific timesteps or final results for further work.

When to use it

  • Saving final simulation results as permanent models
  • Capturing intermediate timesteps for analysis
  • Creating multiple realizations for uncertainty assessment
  • Preserving interesting simulation states
  • Generating geological models for export to simulation software

Notes Recorded geomodels are independent of the simulation - changing simulation parameters or resetting doesn't affect recorded models. Record multiple timesteps to build a stratigraphic sequence or record final results when satisfied with simulation outcomes.

Annotation & Sketch Tools​

Sketch​

Ribbon button: Sketch Tooltip Activate freeform sketching tool for annotations.

What it does Activates freeform sketching mode allowing you to draw arbitrary shapes, arrows, labels, or annotations directly on 3D surfaces or in space. Click and drag to draw continuously, similar to drawing with a pen. Sketches are stored as polylines or curves and can be styled (colour, width) for emphasis. Useful for marking features, adding annotations, or creating illustrative diagrams.

When to use it

  • Annotating features with freeform drawings
  • Adding arrows or labels for presentation
  • Highlighting areas of interest
  • Creating illustrative diagrams on models
  • Field note annotations on 3D outcrops

Notes

Sketch Precision

Sketches are freehand and imprecise - they're intended for annotation and illustration, not precise measurements. For accurate boundaries or measurements, use polylines or measurement tools instead.

Sketches can be assigned colours, line widths, and styles. They're typically stored as separate annotation objects that can be hidden or deleted without affecting underlying data.

Sketch - Line/Rectangle/Circle​

Ribbon buttons: Line, Rectangle, Circle Tooltip Draw geometric shapes (line, rectangle, circle) for annotations.

What it does Activates geometric shape drawing mode for creating annotation shapes:

  • Line: Straight line segment between two clicked points
  • Rectangle: Rectangle defined by clicking opposite corners
  • Circle: Circle defined by clicking center and dragging to set radius

These tools provide cleaner, more precise annotation shapes than freehand sketch mode.

When to use it

  • Creating precise annotation shapes
  • Highlighting rectangular or circular areas
  • Drawing straight reference lines
  • Creating geometric illustrations or diagrams
  • Annotating with standard shapes

Notes Shapes can be styled (colour, line width, fill) and labeled. Unlike freehand sketches, geometric shapes maintain perfect geometry. Use for professional-looking annotations in reports or presentations.

Sketch Size/Colour​

Ribbon buttons: Size, Colour Tooltip Set line width and colour for sketch annotations.

What it does Controls the visual appearance of sketch and annotation tools:

  • Size: Sets line width/thickness for sketches and shapes
  • Colour: Sets line and fill colours for annotations

These settings affect new annotations created after changing settings (existing annotations retain their original styling unless explicitly changed).

When to use it

  • Customizing annotation appearance for emphasis or clarity
  • Color-coding different annotation types
  • Adjusting line widths for visibility on different backgrounds
  • Creating visually distinct annotation categories
  • Matching organizational or publication style guidelines

Notes Consider background colour and texture when choosing annotation colours - ensure sufficient contrast for visibility. Thicker lines are more visible but can obscure underlying features - balance visibility with data preservation.

Waypoint​

Ribbon button: Waypoint Tooltip Place waypoint marker for navigation or annotation.

What it does Places a waypoint marker (labeled point) in 3D space or on surfaces. Waypoints can be labeled with names, descriptions, or numeric codes and are used for marking locations of interest, sample sites, measurement stations, or navigation targets. Waypoints can store attributes and are typically visualized as distinct symbols (flags, pins, spheres).

When to use it

  • Marking sample locations or measurement stations
  • Creating navigation points for virtual field trips
  • Documenting specific features or locations
  • Building georeferenced site databases
  • Wayfinding in large or complex models

Notes

Waypoint Applications

Waypoints are especially useful for field documentation, linking 3D positions to field notes, samples, or photographs. They can serve as a digital field notebook integrated with 3D models.

Waypoints can often link to external data (photos, notes, documents) creating a comprehensive site documentation system.

Multimedia​

Ribbon button: Multimedia Tooltip Attach multimedia content (photos, videos, documents) to 3D locations.

What it does Opens dialogue to attach multimedia content (photographs, videos, PDFs, audio recordings, documents) to specific 3D locations. Creates a linked annotation where clicking on the marker in the 3D view displays the associated multimedia. Useful for comprehensive site documentation, virtual field trips, or linking external data to specific locations.

When to use it

  • Linking field photographs to their capture locations
  • Attaching measurement data or reports to sample sites
  • Creating interactive virtual field trips with embedded media
  • Documenting sites comprehensively with multiple data types
  • Georeferenced multimedia databases

Notes Multimedia attachments can be large - consider file sizes when sharing projects. Supported formats typically include common image formats (JPG, PNG), videos (MP4, AVI), and documents (PDF). Multimedia links can be relative (files stored alongside project) or absolute (fixed file paths).

Orthopanel​

Ribbon buttons: Orthopanel, From 2 Points, From 3 Points, From Viewpoint Tooltip Create vertical orthographic panel for cross-section visualization.

What it does Creates a vertical orthographic panel (oriented plane) for visualizing cross-sections through 3D data. Orthopanels intersect models, displaying only data within the plane or projecting nearby data onto the plane. Creation methods:

  • 1 Point: Place panel at clicked location, perpendicular to view direction
  • From 2 Points: Define panel by clicking two points (defines one edge, panel extends vertically)
  • From 3 Points: Define panel plane by three points (arbitrary orientation)
  • From Viewpoint: Panel parallel to current view plane

When to use it

  • Creating cross-sections through 3D models
  • Visualizing internal structure along specific orientations
  • Sectioning point clouds or meshes for 2D analysis
  • Generating cross-sectional views for export
  • Analyzing subsurface structure along profiles

Notes

Cross-Section Analysis

Orthopanels are essential for 2D cross-sectional analysis of 3D data. Data can be displayed directly on the panel (intersecting triangles, projected points) or flattened/unwrapped for 2D interpretation.

Orthopanels can be positioned, oriented, and sized interactively. Multiple orthopanels allow comparison of different cross-sectional orientations. Orthopanels are common in geological interpretation, engineering analysis, and subsurface characterization.

Stereonet Analysis:

  • Most stereonet commands duplicate between Stereonet tab and Stereonet (Context) tab
  • Stereonet projections follow structural geology conventions (lower-hemisphere equal-area)
  • Statistical methods require appropriate selection based on data characteristics

Polyline Workflows:

  • Typical workflow: Digitise → Snap Vertices → Move Vertices → Refine
  • Polylines can represent contacts, faults, profiles, or trajectories
  • Join/Split operations allow building complex networks from simple segments

Fault Interpretation:

  • Faults are defined by sticks (traces) at multiple locations
  • More sticks = better surface definition but increased complexity
  • Fault surfaces interpolate between sticks using various algorithms

Geobody Modeling:

  • Geobodies represent 3D volumes of geological interest
  • 2D polygons on multiple surfaces → 3D interpolated volume
  • Geobodies can store volumetric attributes (facies, porosity, etc.)

Performance Tips:

  • Stereonet contours with many points benefit from appropriate smoothing parameters
  • Channel simulations can be computationally intensive - start with coarse timesteps
  • Complex geobodies with many nodes may slow interaction - simplify when possible

Dip Azimuth​

See Dip/Azimuth Measurement section above for complete documentation of structural measurement tools.

1 Point​

See Dip/Azimuth from 1 Point

3 Points​

See Dip/Azimuth from 3 Points

N Points​

See Dip/Azimuth from N Points

Area​

See Dip/Azimuth from Area

Poles​

See Show Poles in the Stereonet section

Planes​

See Show Planes in the Stereonet section

Vectors​

See Show Vectors in the Stereonet section

Means​

See Show Means in the Stereonet section

Select Nodes​

See Geobody Select Nodes

Move Nodes​

See Geobody Move Nodes

Interpolate Nodes​

See Geobody Interpolate Nodes

Add Palaeocurrent​

See Add Palaeocurrent Measurement in the Geobody section

Vertices​

See Show Vertices in the Geobody Display section

Lines​

See Show Lines in the Geobody Display section

Save as Interpret​

Ribbon button: Save as Interpret Tooltip Save current work directly to interpretation tree.

What it does Saves the current interpretation work (polylines, measurements, geobodies, etc.) directly into the interpretation tree, creating or updating interpretation objects. This provides a quick save mechanism while actively interpreting.

When to use it

  • Quickly saving interpretation progress without using File menu
  • Creating interpretation checkpoints during active work
  • Ensuring work is preserved before making major changes

Notes This is a convenience command that bypasses the standard File > Save workflow, directly targeting interpretation objects. Regular project saves still recommended for complete data preservation.

Digitise Fault​

See Fault Digitisation section for complete fault interpretation workflow.

Facies​

Ribbon button: Facies Tooltip Set active facies descriptor for interpretation.

What it does Sets the currently active facies descriptor that will be assigned to new interpretations or painted onto existing objects. The active facies determines attributes like colour, pattern, and metadata for newly created interpretation features.

When to use it

  • Switching between facies types during interpretation
  • Setting up before digitising facies-specific features
  • Preparing for facies painting on meshes
  • Organizing interpretations by lithology or sedimentary facies

Notes The active facies persists across interpretation sessions. Visual indicators typically show the current facies (colour swatch, name). Related to facies painting on meshes (see Data Editing - Facies Painting).

Correct Regional​

Ribbon button: Correct Regional Tooltip Apply regional dip correction to stereonet data.

What it does Corrects structural measurements on the stereonet by removing a regional dip component. This "untilts" measurements to remove the effect of regional tilting, revealing local structural variations. Useful when studying structures superimposed on regionally tilted strata.

When to use it

  • Analyzing folding or fractures in tilted strata
  • Removing tectonic tilt to restore original orientations
  • Comparing structural trends across regionally tilted areas
  • Palinspastic restoration studies

Notes

Regional Correction

Specify the regional dip direction and amount to be removed. All measurements rotate to remove this component. The stereonet updates to show corrected orientations. Use caution - incorrect regional correction can create misleading patterns.

From Viewpoint​

Ribbon button: Orthopanel - From Viewpoint Tooltip Create an orthopanel looking along the current view direction.

What it does Generates an orthopanel that is oriented exactly along the active 3D view direction. The orthopanel is created perpendicular to your screen, matching what you currently see in the viewer. This makes it easy to capture view-aligned slices, screenshots, or orthographic panels without needing to define points or orientation manually.

When to use it

  • Creating an orthopanel that matches the current camera orientation
  • Capturing view-based panels from photographs or 3D datasets
  • Rapidly generating orthopanels without selecting points
  • Preparing view-aligned sections for presentations or interpretation workflows

Notes The resulting orthopanel is dependent on the view direction at the moment the tool is activated. If you require a geologically accurate orientation based on spatial data, consider using From 2 Points, From 3 Points, or N Points instead.​

Create From Polylines​

See Create Geobody from Polylines in the Geobody section.

From 2 Points​

Ribbon button: Orthopanel - From 2 Points Tooltip Create a vertical orthopanel from two selected points.

What it does Creates a vertical orthopanel using two points selected in 3D space. The two points define the horizontal orientation (strike direction) of the panel. VRGS then generates a vertical plane oriented through the first point, aligned parallel to the line between the two points.

When to use it

  • Creating vertical sections aligned to features such as faults, veins, or boundaries
  • Generating orthopanels that follow the trend of mapped structures
  • Placing view-aligned slices through specific geological features
  • Quickly defining a vertical orientation using visible dataset features

Notes Select two points that define the desired panel direction. The panel is always vertical; only its strike is determined by the chosen points. For dipping or arbitrarily oriented panels, use From 3 Points. If the points are very close together or nearly vertical in alignment, the resulting panel orientation may be less stable.

Ribbon button: Orthopanel - From 3 Points Tooltip: Create a dipping orthopanel from three selected points.

What it does Creates an orthopanel using three points selected in 3D space. The three points define a unique plane in space, allowing VRGS to generate an orthopanel that matches the true dip and orientation of the chosen surface or feature. This method is ideal for capturing inclined or irregular geological structures.

When to use it

  • Creating an orthopanel that matches the true dip of a geological surface
  • Capturing fault planes, bedding surfaces, or dipping contacts
  • Generating panels aligned to photographed or modelled structural features
  • Accurately defining non-vertical orientations for detailed interpretation

Notes Select three points on the surface or feature whose orientation you want the orthopanel to follow. The more widely spaced and well-distributed the points, the more accurate the resulting panel orientation. For vertical panels aligned to a direction, use From 2 Points, and for more complex or multi-point definitions, use From N Points.

Geo Polygon​

Ribbon button: Geo Polygon Tooltip Create geologically-referenced polygon interpretation.

What it does Creates a polygon interpretation feature that is geologically referenced, typically representing outcrop extents, facies boundaries, or other map-view geological features. The polygon carries geological attributes (age, lithology, facies) and can be used for mapping and spatial analysis.

When to use it

  • Mapping outcrop polygons in plan view or on surfaces
  • Delineating facies distributions
  • Creating geological map features
  • Defining areas for spatial analysis or clipping

Notes Geo polygons differ from simple polylines by being closed, area-based features with fill styling and area calculation. They integrate with mapping workflows and can carry richer attribute data than simple lines.

Line​

Ribbon button: Line (in Polyline tools) Tooltip Set polyline drawing mode to straight lines.

What it does Sets the polyline digitisation mode to create straight line segments between picked points. Each click creates a vertex, and vertices connect with straight lines rather than curves or splines.

When to use it

  • Digitising linear geological features (faults, fractures)
  • Creating angular polylines for structural traces
  • Precise straight-line mapping
  • Default mode for most polyline digitisation

Notes Contrasts with curved or spline polyline modes. Straight line mode is most common for geological interpretation. Vertices can be edited after creation to adjust line positions.

Circle​

See Circle Select in the selection tools sections, or refers to circle/ellipse drawing tools for annotations.

Colour​

Ribbon button: Colour Tooltip Set active colour for new interpretations.

What it does Opens a colour picker to set the colour that will be applied to newly created interpretation features (polylines, polygons, measurements, etc.). The active colour provides visual differentiation between interpretation types, ages, or other categories.

When to use it

  • Colour-coding interpretations by type (faults=red, bedding=blue, etc.)
  • Distinguishing age groups or formations
  • Personal colour schemes for visualization
  • Preparing for presentations with colour themes

Notes Colour choices persist across sessions. Existing interpretations retain their colours unless explicitly changed. Consider colour-blind friendly palettes for shared work. Colours can typically be changed after creation via properties panels.

Size​

Ribbon button: Size Tooltip Set line width or point size for interpretations.

What it does Adjusts the display size (line width for polylines, point size for measurements, symbol size for annotations) for new and/or selected interpretation features. Larger sizes improve visibility in presentations or for important features.

When to use it

  • Emphasizing key interpretation features
  • Adjusting visibility for different zoom levels
  • Preparing presentation-quality visualizations
  • Differentiating feature importance by size

Notes Size settings may apply to new features, selected features, or both depending on context. Consider model scale when choosing sizes - what looks good at one zoom level may be too thick/thin at another.

Scan Line​

Ribbon button: Scan Line Tooltip Create a scan line for fracture intensity analysis.

What it does Creates a linear fracture-sampling scanline in 3D space. A scanline is a straight line segment used to measure fracture frequency, spacing, and orientation-dependent intensity. VRGS uses this line to count and record intersections with fractures or other discontinuity traces.

When to use it

  • Fracture intensity surveys (fractures per metre)
  • Systematic sampling of discontinuities
  • Statistical structural analysis
  • Quantifying feature spacing or frequency

Notes The scanline serves as the reference for recording intersection positions and counts. Multiple scanlines improve representativeness and allow comparison across an exposure. Orientation of the scanline affects measured intensity, so choose directions carefully based on the analysis objective.

From Intersections​

Ribbon button: Scan Line - From Intersections Tooltip Create a scan line oriented from displayed fracture orientations.

What it does Creates a scanline automatically oriented using the currently displayed fracture orientation data. VRGS uses the intersection geometry of existing mapped fractures or polylines to calculate a representative scanline direction. This ensures the scanline aligns appropriately relative to the mapped discontinuity set.

When to use it

  • Creating a scanline from existing measurements
  • When you need to capture the variability of multiple fractures

Notes This method relies on visible fracture or polyline orientations in the scene. It is useful when structural trends are already interpreted, and you want a scanline aligned consistently with those features. Adjust visibility filters to ensure only the relevant fracture set informs the orientation.

From Points​

Ribbon button: Scan Line - From Points Tooltip Create a scan line by selecting points and applying an orientation to it.

What it does Creates a fracture scanline defined directly from user-selected points. Pick two or more points to establish the scanline’s position and direction, and optionally assign or adjust its orientation. This provides full manual control over scanline placement when displayed fracture data is incomplete or when a custom sampling direction is required.

When to use it

  • Creating scanlines in areas with partial or no existing fracture interpretation
  • Manually defining a sampling line based on field or project requirements
  • Aligning scanlines to specific geological features or user-chosen directions
  • Custom placement where automated intersection-based orientation is not appropriate

Notes Use two points for a simple directional scanline, or more points to refine its location. Orientation can be adjusted to match desired sampling conventions (e.g., perpendicular to fracture set). This is the most flexible method for scanline placement.

Attributes​

Ribbon button: Attributes Tooltip View or edit interpretation feature attributes.

What it does Opens the attributes panel or dialogue for selected interpretation features, allowing viewing and editing of metadata (name, age, type, formation, confidence, notes, etc.). Attributes provide context and categorization for interpreted features.

When to use it

  • Adding descriptive metadata to interpretations
  • Categorizing features by type, age, or confidence
  • Adding notes or references to interpretations
  • Querying interpretation properties

Notes Attribute schemas vary by feature type (polylines, measurements, geobodies each have specific attributes). Rich attributes enable filtering, querying, and analysis workflows. Consider standardizing attribute vocabularies for team projects.

New Fault​

Ribbon button: New Fault Tooltip Start digitising a new fault interpretation.

What it does Initiates creation of a new fault object for geological fault interpretation. Faults in VRGS are typically represented by fault sticks (short polylines) that define the fault surface at different elevations or positions, which are interpolated to create a continuous fault surface.

When to use it

  • Beginning new fault interpretations
  • Mapping fault systems
  • Structural geology interpretation
  • Defining discontinuities for model building

Notes After creating a new fault, add fault sticks by digitising polylines at different positions on the fault surface. Multiple sticks are interpolated to generate the complete fault surface. See Fault Digitisation for complete workflow.

Digitse Fault​

See Fault Digitisation section for complete fault interpretation workflow. (Note: This is a typo in the ribbon.xml - should be "Digitise Fault")