3D Visualisation Facility

Specifications l Who might use it? l Future l Contact

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is the first State Government department to install a visualisation facility to show new 3D geological models to industry and researchers. Why a 3D visualisation room? The use of 3D visualisation is quickly becoming the preferred way for scientists to communicate with one another using cutting-edge technology, making the traditional 2D geological maps almost obsolete. Images can be manipulated by an operator to turn layers on and off and manipulating models by rotating, zooming and panning to explore relationships between parts of the model from any aspect. 3D visualisation also allows the user to analyse the often very subtle geometric relationships that can control fluid flow networks through rocks. This has implications for more accurately predicting: locations of mineral deposits hydrocarbon accumulations potential geosequestration sites Specifications Infitec passive stereo system This is a state-of-the-art system for viewing geological models in stereo (ie. 3D). The system uses two projectors and interference filters. It reduces eye strain and minimises issues with viewing angle and colour shifts associated with other 3D technologies.

It uses an optical filter over the projector to split the colour spectrum of an image into two parts – one for the left eye and one for the right eye. The two projectors each have a special filter that allows only the three primary colours through. This allows the user wearing Infitec glasses with the same filter corresponding to the left and right projector to see in stereo. Gocad This is the main 3D geology package, which allows us to show all of DPI’s models in stereo. It allows the user to interpret seismic data, build reservoir models suitable for simulation, and see simulation results in 3D. This one package removes the need for a multitude of highly specialised tools. Seating The room allows up to 10 people a very crisp 3D immersion experience. Software Types of software installed: Gocad 2.5 – geological 3D modelling and visualisation package for the energy and minerals sectors. PetroMod 10 - Petroleum migration and fluid flow modelling software. 3D GeoModeller - A 3D geological modelling and geophysical inversion package. Bit Management Software Contact Stereo Stereo VRML or X3D plug-in for Internet Explorer. 3D Studio Max – 3D and stereo rendering and animation package.

Who might use it?

This kind of 3D visualisation technology is used by private companies across Australia and is part of a separate facility within GeoScience Australia. What makes the Victorian facility unique is that it is the only state-run 3D geoscience visualisation room in Australia that is a user-friendly work space designed to enable collaborative work among scientists, exploration companies and researchers.

DPI’s GeoScience Victoria works collaboratively on projects with industry, researchers and universities, and may invite collaborators to view, discuss and interpret 3D models in the visualisation room.

Industry

• Mineral explorers looking for gold and base metals
• Oil and gas explorers
• Geothermal exploration companies
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) scientists
• Coal geoscientists
• Mineral sand explorers
• Hydrogeologists

• Department of Primary Industries scientists looking at areas such as:
  • Regional geology and earth resources, including minerals, energy and groundwater
  • Future farming
  • Land management
  • Climate change modelling
    
    
• University specialists including:
  • Numerical modellers
  • Field geologists
  • Geophysicists
    
    
• Cooperative Research Centres such as the CO2CRC