This menu choice enables the user to invoke DOS commands and run external programs without exiting PolyMap. This choice invokes a DOS Shell, and the user is able to run any number of DOS applications while in the shell.

To use the shell, simply enter the DOS commands as you normally would. When finished, type "EXIT" at the DOS prompt and you will be returned to Polymap.

This menu choice runs the program that establishes the Project Information File, which is accessed by all programs within PolyMap. The information in this file can be changed or updated by the user at any time.

The PROJECT NAME is displayed on all PolyMap printed output. The project title is limited to a maximum of 64 characters. Most programs that display this project title also allow the user to enter an answer set description, which doubles as a runtime title, which more explicitly describes that particular run. The project title may be changed at any time, if necessary.

The model origin Northing, Easting, and Elevation define the lower left corner of the project. A rotation angle can be entered which allows plan view maps to be viewed with an orientation other than with North at the top.

The Base Elevation, Number of Levels, and Level Dimension are used in defining the elevation extents of your project. The highest elevation in your project will be the Base Elevation plus the Number of levels times the Level Dimension. Similarly, the number of rows, row dimension, number of columns, and column dimension, define the limits of the project in the X and Y directions. If you are planning on using PolyMap in conjunction with MicroMODEL, specifically for open pit mine design, then these parameters must match the project limits that are being used in the MicroMODEL project control file. Use the "AutoScan MicroMODEL Area" button to automatically scan a MicroMODEL directory. The drawing below shows the location of the origin and rotation angle:

                        FIGURE 1.1
      ORIGIN LOCATION = North:250 East:350 Elevation:9500
      Rotation Angle:320 Degrees (Clockwise from North left edge)

The Map Name for Automatic Topography Addition can be left blank, initially. Once the project information has been entered, and a topography map has been defined and digitized, then the user can rerun this program and enter the name of the topography map. This allows the geologic digitizing program to automatically add topographic profiles to section maps when they are initialized. Be sure to check the box labeled "Check to Automatically Add Topo."

The Units of Measurement can either be FEET or METERS. If you are working in English units of feet, then select Feet. If you are working in Metric units, then select Meters.

This program is also used to enter layer information which is needed for digitizing geologic zoning information. Up to five different layers of zoning can be defined. The Number of Layers is entered in the first input screen, and can be anything between 1 and 5. Each layer should be given a unique name. Changes to line names and area names for each individual layer are made on subsequent screens.

The same Line (TRACE) name can be used in more than one layer. AREA names must be unique, that is, they cannot appear in more than one layer. Enter as many Line and Area names as are needed for each layer. Leave the remaining input fields blank.

This program allows the user to add one or more maps to the existing project. A map must be defined with this program before it can be digitized or displayed.

The first input screen includes three input fields and a number of choice buttons. The new map name is entered in the first input field. This new name should not match any previous names that have been used. The second input field allows the user to specify that anywhere from 0 to 100 additional maps of the same type as the first map also will be added. The third input field is for entering the scale of the map.

The choice buttons are for selecting which type of map will be added. The map can be either a plan, section, or non-orthogonal.

Map limits are entered in the lower right corner box. For plan maps, only the elevation needs to be entered. For section maps, the endpoint coordinates must be specified, along with the minimum and maximum elevation.

If other similar maps are being added, then a second input screen is displayed with two input fields per additional map. For each map, enter the name of the map in the lefthand input field, and the appropriate map coordinate in the righthand input field. This feature facilitates the addition of a series of section maps or plan maps.

The purpose of this program is to allow the user to change the definition of the eight include sets. An include set is a logical grouping of similar map types. For example, an include set might represent all of the geologic plan maps in a project. Another might include all of the East-West sections in a project.

When this program is run, the user is presented with a list of names for each include set. The names should be changed to something meaningful, such as "All N-S Sections." When include sets are chosen by other programs, a drop down list of the names entered on this screen is what is presented.

The user is presented with one or more input screens showing each map name and its associated include set status. The status of each include set is shown as a check box. If the check box is blank, then the map is not included in that include set. If the check box is checked, then the map is included in that include set.

This choice provides the user with a printout showing the current status of the project map file. There are no input screens. The user selects this choice, and, at the completion of the run, the user may either display the output to the screen or print a hard copy of the output.

The output from this program includes map names, date the map was last edited, date the map was last updated, map scale, map type, and include set status.

This option allows the user to list the raw data, updated data, or polygon data for a single map.

The user simply chooses the map, and chooses which type of data to display. The information is written to a print file that can be viewed on the screen or printed.

This option allows the user to change the name of a map, change the map type and limits, and change the default scale for a map. Input screens for this program are similar to those in the program for adding new maps to the project.

When this program is run, the user is presented with a list box containing the names of each of the current maps. After the desired map has been selected, the user is presented with the main input screen.

This screen contains several input fields and a set of choice buttons. The user may change the current map name in the first input field, and the default map scale can be changed in the second input field. Map type may be changed with the select buttons. Any or all of the current map limits may be changed.

Note that if the current map is an Angled Section, if map limits are changed, this may invalidate current digitized information contained in the map. For angled sections, horizontal location is digitized in a coordinate system in which the "X" axis distance is defined with 0.0 at the left hand edge. Vertical location is digitized in absolute elevation coordinates.

This program allows the user to delete any current data files for a map. Use this program carefully, since no backup copies are made of the data files before they are erased!

When this program is run, the user is presented with a list box containing the names of each of the current maps. After the desired map has been selected, the user is presented with a small dialog containing two command buttons. The first command button, CANCEL, aborts the erasure process. The second command button, OK, invokes the erasure process. Note that the default command button is CANCEL, and the user must consciously decide to switch to theOK command button to erase the files.

This menu choice is used to associate actual button labels to the numeric order. For example, button number 10 might be labeled "A".

PolyMap can be used with any digitizing tablet that is capable of working with the Virtual Tablet tablet driver. You must consult the Virtual Tablet driver documentation for information on how to install the Virtual Tablet driver. To see if the Virtual Tablet driver is operational, press the "Test and Exit" button. On the new dialog that is shown, the X and Y tablet coordinates should echo in the two edit fields near the bottom of the dialog. Also, as the user presses each puck button, the associated cursor button should get chosen. If either of these funtions is not working, then the Virtual Tablet driver is not working, and the digitizing tablet cannot be used.

Special Note: The Virtual Tablet in its default configuration has each puck putton cause a "left-click" to the windows operating system. The "left-click" behavior will interfere with Polymap, especially when the mouse cursor is over a PolyMap dialog push button. You should disable this feature for all buttons except for one which you reserve for using the tablet as a mouse. For example, with a sixteen button cursor, disable the "left-click" action on all buttons except number 16.

To change the behavior of each button, run "Virtual Tablet" > Tablet Manager. Select the Button tab. Change the action to "None" for every button except the one(s) you want to keep as "mouse" buttons.

This menu choice is used to assign PolyMap digitizing program commands to each button of the digitizing tablet. This feature can be used to simplify input from the tablet, and might enable the user to perform most digitizing tasks without the need for any paper menus. The default setup is for all buttons to be interpreted as a digitized X-Y point.

However, this program allows each button to be redefined. For example, button "0" can still be used for X-Y points, but button "1" can be used to signal the "END" command. Button "2" can be used to signal the "CLOSE" command, etc.

This menu choice allows the user to plot out copies of the digitizing menus that can be used with table input. The user may plot out the MAIN menu, and one set of POLYMENU and LOCMENU. Note that each layer has its own version of the POLYMENU and LOCMENU menus.

When the program is invoked, the user will first be asked to select an answer set. Then, the first input screen, which contains a set of choice buttons, is displayed. The user selects which set of menus to plot and continues with the program.

The easiest way to create a hardcopy is to use the screen display, and press the F-9 button. This prints a copy of the menu(s) to the users windows printer. By using the Zoom button (Page-Up), the menus can be shrunk as needed. Be sure to print in landscape mode.

This menu choice allows the user to add one or more sections to the PolyMap project from a previously defined set of sections in a MicroMODEL project directory.

Run the program, and select the MicroMODEL directory from which you wish to import section definitions. Highlight all of the sections that you wish to add to your PolyMap project. Click "Run Program."