The Dimensions of AutoCAD

David Nicholls is a geologist in the mines technology department for the Manitoba division of Inco Ltd. His immediate responsibility is to provide computer support to the exploration group, including the design of all specialized software applications, software development and documentation, training and purchasing of software and hardware.

In 1986, Inco acquired AutoCAD to use as the interface to an automated land survey program. Nicholls was a member of the original self-taught AutoCAD team, which has grown to include more than 100 workstations in the mines technology department alone. He trains a large portion of the AutoCAD users and is keenly aware of the design limitations faced by engineers and geologists in the mining industry.

Simplifying Tasks

The mines technology department works from horizontal plans and vertical sections but realized early the potential for 3-dimensional models. AutoCAD simplified many of the drafting tasks performed by the geologists. But with only Release 9 and a very limited knowledge of AutoLISP, it was impossible for the geologists to create 3-D drawings and visualize 3-D models in their minds. This “mental” model is built by using ore and tunnel outlines from successive sections and visualizing a “skin” (mesh) draped around the “ribs” (polygon outlines). The process of imagining this in one’s mind obviously leaves much room for error and a great deal of room for improvement.

Training Employees

The 1989 release of AutoCAD 10 simplified the creation of 3-D models and Nicholls saw this as his opportunity to bring 3-D modelling to all 100 AutoCAD users in his department. In July, 1989, M. Slinn Engineering of Vancouver was retained to help in programming in AutoLISP to create 3-D routines for mining applications. By September, nine Inco employees were trained in AutoCAD 10 and AutoLISP programming for 3D modeling. Two things became apparent to the Inco geologists: first, they were not, and did not want to become, computer programmers. Second, with their input and co-operation, Slinn transformed the ideas they conceptualized into an easy-to-use, time-effective software application in a very short time.

It was agreed that Slinn would complete development of the AutoCAD application specifically for mining and Inco would serve as the “think tank” for new concepts and the Beta test site. The application was completed in November, 1989 and named AutoMiner. A major update was shipped to Inco in January, 1990; and once again, in April, the software was revised to include Inco’s comments and suggestions, as well as those programming enhancements Slinn developed with the additional time and feedback. The net result has been a 1,000% productivity improvement in drawing output.

AutoMiner lets the exploration group stack horizontal plans and vertical sections for 3-D modelling. From these models a set of slices can be cut as required for various planning and production purposes. Says Nicholls: “An important advantage of using the software is the increased flexibility it affords the user in the mine-planning phase. Sections, plans and longitudinals can be quickly produced at any location within an ore zone as dictated by engineers.” The time-saving is immense. For each of Nicholls’ jobs he typically creates 20 to 30 sections and must be able to cut slices from those sections in 3-D. This once took 3 1/2 to four hours; now it takes 20 minutes.