As MineSched users we all know we can change the color of the blocks in the animation canvas between coloring by period, or by location. However, I’ve found that one of the most common questions I’m asked when I am showing MineSched to new users is how to color the blocks in the animation by their material classifications.
The blocks we see in the animation canvas are the scheduling blocks, and each block can contain a different combination of material types inside of them. So, without making some broad generalizations on classifying these blocks it isn’t possible to color them by their material.
It is possible though if we consider two factors: First, the definition of materials into the schedule comes from the block model, and second, we can export the results of the schedule back into the block model. This means however, that the schedule animation will be happening in Surpac.
Long time MineSched users will remember the days where, in order to see a schedule animation, you had to kick the graphical results back into Surpac. Embedding the animation canvas into the MineSched dashboard has remarkably improved the MineSched experience.
What I will show you here is no exception. It is not as simple and easy as toggling a display option and there are several steps that need to be completed in order to achieve the desired results. What you will actually find is that displaying the schedule in this way will help visually communicate what materials are being mined in every period, and what materials are exposed in each bench.
In my example we will start with the assumption that you already have a schedule prepared in MineSched, and are ready to export the results.
