How To: Export 3D Drillhole data to 3D SHP files. How to place data in a 3D SHP file.

Problem/Symptom:
Is it possible to export 3D drillhole data as a 3d shapefile for use in ArcScene (or other programs)? How can I place down-hole data in that 3D SHP file?

Environment:
Resolution Method 1 applies to Geosoft Target and Target for ArcGIS, Resolution Method 2 applies only to Target for ArcGIS.

Resolution:

Method 1)
You can export to 3D SHP files using DH-Data > Export > SHP file (in Geosoft Target); Data > Export > SHP file (in Target for ArcGIS). This exports all Geosoft DH GDBs to 3D SHP files for use in ArcScene.

Method 2)
It may be that when you display your 3D Collar SHP file in ArcScene, you will only get points and not drill hole traces. There is a little method that may help you here:

1. Create a plan map with your desired selection of holes in Target for ArcGIS. In the Plan Map output tab, be sure to have Shape File Output. As well, in the Hole Traces tab, under trace style, change to Hole Traces (rather than Collars or Pierce Points).

2. Then load the associated shapefiles into ArcScene. These shape files are automatically output to your project directory (where the MXD has been saved). For the traces, you can load in, for example, the PlanT_Traces.shp file. This shapefile is ZM attributed and will draw as traces in 3D.

3. One other tool from an ArcObjects Developer website is a 3D Label tool that you can register and load as a toolbar in ArcScene. This will give you the ability to label the Collars and other features.
http://edndoc.esri.com/arcobjects/8.3/default.asp?url=/arcobjects/8.3/Samples/3D%20Analyst/3D%20Visualization/3D%20Text/Label3DToolbar/Label3DToolbar.htm.

This is an older tool and we cannot guarantee it will work with ArcGIS 9.2.

How to place data down-hole, in the 3D SHP file:
1. Use Target for ArcGIS to generate the data values in a Plan Map with the 'post values' option on the Data tab.
2. This shapefile's attribute table contains x,y,z coordinates for each 'post value.'
3. Export the attribute table or open the .dbf component of the shapefile; save this in a format ArcCatalog can recognize.
4. Use ArcCatalog to create a z-attributed shapefile from the attribute table of the PlanT_value_xx shapefile.