Getting Started Instructions

Have a look at the "Videos" menu for training videos to get you started with GEM4D. I started the videos in August 2018 and will gradually add videos over weekends.

GEM4D aims to be simple to use when following the guidelines below:

• All loaded "Mesh" files end up in the left upper list control named "Files", and any checked items in this control are available for manipulation in the bottom list control named "Objects". To deselect files, click any location in the upper list control away from file names.

• The bottom left list control "Objects" has a checkbox for object visibility, and the colour and transparency can be changed with either the button and slider below the control, or by clicking directly in the cell of interest. To change the object transparency, click further to the left in the grid cell to increase the transparency. Selected objects will display with wireframe lines over the solid triangulation in the scene. To deselect all objects, click any location in the control away from the active columns.

• Multi-select objects in both the "Files" and "Object" controls by pressing the "Shift" button before selection.

• Use the "Ctrl" button to deactivate any action temporarily, mostly to reposition the scene before continuing with the selected action.

• The mouse controls the scene objects:

  - Rotate - left mouse button.

  - Pan - middle mouse button.

  - Zoom - right mouse button, or scroll the mouse wheel.

  - Rotation centre point selection - left double-click on any triangulation.

  - Center the objects in the scene - left double click on empty space in the scene.

• Few functions are duplicated, there is thus mostly one way to perform a task. This "rule" aims to keep the interface simple and avoid confusion.

• All manipulations are only applied to visible data. For example; if you want to save the scene, hide the objects that should not be saved. If an object needs to be scaled, hide all the objects that should not be scaled, etc.

• The interface consists of a "Ribbon with Tabs", "Panels", "Toolbars" and a "Statusbar" - see the videos for a detail description.

• The functionality is roughly distributed in the following manner:

  - "Ribbon with Tabs" is the main interface control to navigate the scene between the supported data types.
  - "Left Panel" contains the files for "Mesh" objects, and the data for "Marker", "Mapping" and drillhole "Geotech" objects.
  - "Bottom Panel" contains the charts (histograms and stereonets), as well as the statistics of the selected data column.
  - "Right Panel" contains the "complex actions", and complex in the sense of multiple options and settings associated with these actions.
  - "Top toolbar" contains actions for "Mesh" objects, and data from other types often converted to the "Mesh"-type objects. 
  - "Left toolbar" contains snapping options when picking on objects, as view directions such as north, south, etc.
  - "Bottom toolbar" contains keyboard shortcuts when using GEM4D in tablet mode.