Plot Files Versus Vizex Plots

In Micromine Origin & Beyond, users are given two options when generating a plot through the Vizex | Plot | Generate menu; these are Generate Plot File... and Generate Vizex Plot... (Figure 1). This article discusses the different file types associated with plots and the differences between these two plot types.

Figure 1: Navigating to Vizex | Plot | Generate.

To begin, it is important to understand the different file types associated with plots; these are PEL, PEX and PTX files.

PTX file (Plot Template): PTX files are your plot templates that are chosen when you generate a plot. Micromine comes with a number of default templates, but you can also create your own. Plot templates contain all of the data outside the plot window.

PEX file (Plot Layout): PEX files are generated directly from the PTX file. Internally, these two files are the same and only have a different extension for organisational purposes (PTX files are stored in the user profile, whereas PEX files are stored in the project folder).

PEL file (Plot Data): PEL files contain the 2D vector data for your plot. Anything you have visible in Vizex when you generate the plot will be converted into 2D vector data and contained inside the PEL file.

Plot File (also referred to as a 2D plot)

Figure 2: Navigating to Vizex | Plot | Generate | Generate Plot File.

Generating a Plot File (Figure 2) will create a PEL and a PEX file. The PEL file is the vector data, which is a snapshot of what is seen in Vizex, only in 2D form. The PEL file will contain permanent data, which means you can open it up at any time to view it, regardless of what is opened in Vizex. You can also use the same PEX file to open any PEL file. Plot Files are ideal for 2D scenarios like cross-sections or plan views. 

Vizex Plot (also referred to as a 3D plot)

Figure 3: Navigating to Vizex | Plot | Generate | Generate Vizex Plot.

Generating a Vizex Plot (Figure 3) will generate a PEX file only. A Vizex plot is always showing a live view of the Vizex window, meaning, if you change anything in the Vizex window, the plot will change accordingly (Figure 4). Seeing as though these plots are dynamic, you must use the Print to PDF function in order to save them. Using the Save As button will save a PEX file of the template, but doesn't save any data in the plot frame. Vizex plots are ideal if you need to show the 3D detail of some objects. Vizex plots are the only way to plot a true 3D object.

Figure 4: A GIF showing the relationship between Vizex and a Vizex Plot.

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