Datamine Discover KB - Surfaces

Tips and Tricks moving from Surfaces to MapInfo Pro Raster

Josh Knight — Fri, 09 May 2025 04:50:58 GMT

The legacy Surfaces menu is deprecated in 64 bit Mapinfo Pro, and replaced by the superior Mapinfo Raster which has been optimized for 64bit computing platforms and has many other enhancements and feautres not available in Surfaces.

It is strongly recommended to use the Raster menu instead of the Surface menu tools, and open raster grid files as "raster image" type.

[A] In Discover 64-bit, my MRR raster grid is not listed/recognized by Discover tools

Solution

Most tools support MRR files, and some will allow Field/Band selection (as ER Mapper and other formats are multibanded). If you cannot select a MRR gird file it is not yet supported in that particular tool. If you cannot select a Band to use, it will use the first field/band.

If you need to convert a MRR to a standard format, that 3rd party programs support, use the RASTER>Operations>Convert tool.

download here).

Note: Discover 64-bit can be installed and licensed on the same computer as Discover 32-bit version (Standalone or Bundle)

NOW AVAILABLE IN DISCOVER 2017

Surfaces module (note it is still deprecated by Raster - see more details below. It will only have limited bug fixes and support)
Polybuilder (Was retired by MapInfo, after being taken from Discover by Mapinfo and In Mapinfo 12.5 & 15.0 32-bit)

REPLACED

Enhanced Layer Control replaced by MapInfo Pro's Layer Control + Table List + NEW Explorer windows.

Temporal Trends replaced by capabilities in GraphMap Geolocated Graphs.

Colour Map, DigData and the Structural Data tool have all been replaced by the enhanced capabilities within the Data Entry module.

The Dynamic Scalebar has been superseded by MapInfo Pro's Scalebar (Map>Scalebar)

RETIRED

MapShop

ALG support removed from both Discover & Discover 3D (ALG data files such as ERS and ECW can be opened directly instead, open the ALG file in notepad to check)

ECW output support removed from the Convert map to registered raster tool

Geosoft GDB support removed from Discover 3D

Surfaces module capabilities in MapInfo Pro ...

Unable to open MRR files in Discover 2021 v21.2.3 and Mapinfo 2021.1

kbadmin — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 01:26:58 GMT
Occurrence

When I try to open a MRR file in Discover3D or Surfaces I get an error message.

Solution

This was caused by MapInfo Pro using a new version of the ECW SDK.

To resolve this issue simply copy the file -
C:\Program Files\MapInfo\Professional\NCSEcw.dll

To this folder and overwrite the existing old one -
C:\Program Files\MapInfo\Discover

It will be fixed in the next Discover release.

How do I reproject my data?

Josh Knight — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 07:21:42 GMT

MapInfo and Discover provides a number of different Reprojection Utilities, depending on the type of data to be transformed. Each of these tools will create a copy of the data in the specified output projection, typically with a default _reproject suffix added to the input file name. These tools are invaluable (for example) for ensuring all datasets are in the same Coordinate Reference System (projection).

Note: After reprojecting when you open in back in the map window, it will appear in exact same location. This is due to Mapinfo being a GIS system that reprojects on the fly. It will only appear in a different location when opened in a non-GIS program.

Vector data (i.e. points/polylines/polygons)
This is shown in the layer control with an icon -

There a numerous ways to reproject these -
1. Standard MapInfo way is to go to Home>Save>Save Copy As. Then on the save dialog, click the projection button and choose the new projection.
2. Use the Discover>Reproject>Reproject Coordinates. This uses the Discover projection engine with explicit NTv2 support. (note this doesn't support NativeX tab files).
3. Use the DISCOVER > Reproject > Multi-Table Reproject tool. This allows the current projections of multiple vector tables to be displayed and reprojected, either as new tables, or overwriting the existing tables.
Note with all of these methods only change the spatial vector data in the map. They do not update any coordinates in the browser table for say points. There ...

Discover 2019 updates - issues opening MRR grids in Surfaces menu

kbadmin — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 01:11:43 GMT
Occurrence

I have installed an update version of 2019 over an older version. When I try to open MRR files in the Surfaces menu or Hydrology tool, it hangs or nothing happens.

Solution

This is an issue with Discover GridHandlers folder not being updated.

Simply uninstall Discover 2019, and reinstall it.

How do I populate/update vector data with values from a gridded surface?

Josh Knight — Wed, 08 May 2019 23:56:02 GMT

Occurrence

Some examples of use:

- Updating regional RAB drillhole collar locations with accurate RL's from a topographic grid surface provided by a geophysical contractor
- Assigning geological, regolith or tenement polygons mean or maximum copper assay vlaues from an underlying gridded geochemical surface (created using IDW interpolation) as part of prospectivity mapping

Solution

1/. Ensure that the vector data table has the necessary numeric field/s to capture grid data into, using the TABLE>Maintenance>Table>Modify Structure tool. For example, if populating a drillhole collar table with RL values from a DEM grid, create an 'RL' or 'Elevation' field with a Float type.

2/. Open into a map window both the vector table to update, and the source grid.

3/. Select the vector data to update, using either a graphical selection tool (to select a subset of the vector data), or right click on the layer and Select All menu option in the Explorer, window or a Query.

4/. If it is displayed as a legacy grid, Select the SURFACES>Utilities>Assign Values option. Or if displayed as a RASTER layer,
MapInfo Pro Raster provides this functionality as 3 enhanced tools specific to the vector type under RASTER>Operations:
- Point Inspect
< ...

My drillhole collar positions do not match up with a DEM / DTM grid in the 3D view or drillhole cross-section.

Josh Knight — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 23:55:04 GMT

Discover plots the Drillhole collars at the value in the selected elevation field in the collar table. This value can differ from the topographic (DEM/DTM) grid you have selected in the Drillhole project setup. Discover never "auto adjusts" the value for these too match when plotted in a cross section.
Possible reasons for this are -
1. Were your collars only assigned an arbitrary height (e.g. 550m ASL) during regional exploration, prior to an accurate elevation grid surface being provided (e.g. from a geophysical survey program).
Perhaps update the collar table (as used by your Discover Drillhole Project) RL/Z value field from the appropriate accurate DEM / DTM grid surface using either the -
Legacy grids -

SURFACE>Utilities>Assign Values option
Raster Grids

RASTER>Raster Operations>Point Inspection option
2. Are your collars accurately surveyed, and you are using a coarse DTM surfaces grid, such as the SRTM Australia scale data? If so, you may need to obtain a higher quality DTM dataset, or if you have enough elevation points in your area, create a new DTM from the points using SURFACES>Interactive Gridding.

3. In the Discover 3D environment, has any kind of vertical exaggeration or offset been applied to either individual data types (through the relevant Property dialogs in the Workspace Tree) or to the 3D view ...

My raster or surface grid image is shifting when I zoom in or out

kbadmin — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 03:33:23 GMT

Occurrence

When I zoom in on a Map Window, a raster or surface grid image shifts and 'jumps around'.

Solution

This is usually due to image being in a different projection type, than the current mapper window.
There are 2 ways to workaround this -
1) Reproject a new copy of the image into the Map's projection, using IMAGES>Reproject Image or SURFACES>Grid Utilities>Reproject. remove the original raster layer and use this new projected file instead.
2) Disable MapInfo's on the fly reprojection support.
Navigate to Map>Options>Image Processing and set this to Never.
Note that the map option will be saved in workspaces, and needs to be changed in all existing windows.
You should also adjust the default settings under Options>Preferences>Image Processing, to Never.

How do I create contours as polygon regions?

kbadmin — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:34:27 GMT

Occurrence

MapInfo Discover 32-bit's Surfaces > Grid Contouring tool produces polylines, but I want the contour ranges to be (enclosed) polygon regions.

Solution

MapInfo Discover 64-bit
The Contour Operation in the new MapInfo Pro Raster can automatically create polygon contours in one step, by setting the 'Contour Type' as 'Region':

MapInfo Discover 32-bit
One of the easiest ways to convert contours to regions in the old Surfaces module, is to generate them using different tools.

To generate regions -
1. Use Surfaces > Grid Utilities > Classify and click the Auto button. Enter the desired number of contour intervals/ranges (via the add/delete/insert rows controls) and their from/to values.

2. After the you are satisfied with the classified ranges, click Save As to create a new grid file.

Optimisations for more efficient Hydrology module processing

Josh Knight — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 23:58:33 GMT

See the attached document outlining some strategies for handling large datasets more efficiently with Discover's Hydrology Module.

Error in ERMAPPER registry entry

kbadmin — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 02:06:00 GMT

Occurrence

When I start MapInfo Professional, I receive the error -

ERROR in ERMAPPER registry entry.
Please specify BASE_PATH value in the registry.

Solution

This is due to the installation of Discover's grid handler becoming corrupt, generally when ER Mapper or other programs have been isntalled.

Reinstall Discover to repair the installation.

I cannot open my ER Mapper image as a grid file

kbadmin — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 01:56:15 GMT
Occurrence

ER Mapper header files (.ERS) can be linked to a number of data file formats including ECW or TIFF raster images. You will need to first convert these to a ER Mapper Raster Dataset before importing into Discover.

Solution

1/. Open the ER Mapper file (.ERS) in ER Viewer and use File>Save As to save it as a 'ER Mapper Raster Dataset'.� This should produce 2 files; an .ERS file and a data file (with no file extension).

2/. In� MapInfo Professional, use File>Open>Grid Image�to select the converted file.� During the import procedure you may have to choose a MapInfo Coordinate System that matches the reported ER Mapper Coordinate system and Datum of the converted file.

3/. This imported grid file can now be manipulated with the tools in the Surfaces Menu.�

Note: TIFF files can be opened by simply File>Open>Raster Image, and ECW file should be opened by Discover>Import or Export>ECW/JP2 Import

How do I create a surface grid from a DXF TIN file?

kbadmin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:08:49 GMT
Occurrence

I have a surface grid, but it is in a 3D vector format, otherwise known as a TIN or wireframe model.

How do I create a standard surface grid image format for use in the Surfaces module?

Solution

To create a grid from a DXF or other 3D vector TIN file (TIN surface, wireframe/mesh), simply use Surfaces>Convert Vector File to Grid.

Note that the TIN needs to contain a single, continuous face (surface).

I cannot use Vertical Mapper after installing Discover or Engage3D

kbadmin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:49:48 GMT
Occurrence

After installing Discover or Engage3D, I am unable to use certain Vertical Mapper tools.

Solution

Ensure the grids you wish to manipulate are in Vertical Mapper format, which can be converted using the Grid Utilities>Convert tool.

Open the grid file in the front map window, and go to Surfaces->Import Grid File->Toggle Support for Vertical Mapper grid

The grid will now be display as a Raster image using the Vertical Mapper plug-in, and Vertical Mapper's tools will be functional.

To re-enable Vertical Mapper grid support in Discover or Engage3D, see the related article

How do I convert a polygon vector file to a gridded surface?

kbadmin — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:41:15 GMT
Occurrence

If I have point or contour line data, the Surfaces->Create Grid tool produces good results.
But for polygons with attributes - how do I create an accurate grid?

Solution

If you have a native MapInfo polygon file, with polygon regions attributed by a discrete numeric value
field, you can assign these to a blank or existing grid.

First open the Surfaces>Grid Utilities->Overlay tool. At the top right of the dialog click the red
square button to create a new blank grid. Enter the appropriate registration coordinates and projection
for the area. Assign a Fixed Z value (default is 0). Alternatively, open an existing grid to overlay the
values onto.

Then in the Overlay utility, select the polygon vector file. Select Overlay Value From Field and choose
the appropriate field from the polygon table. The background value can be from the existing grid, set
to Null or other value.

How can I set a surface grid data range to display transparent?

kbadmin — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:57:26 GMT

Occurrence

The Surfaces>Modify Grid Display tool allows the transparency of an entire grid to be set.
But how can I set only a particular data range of a grid to be transparent?
Solution

You will need to select the option other then Full Grid; so you can clip by Value, Percentage or Percentile.
Enter your desired min/max value to apply Transparency. Then tick the option Set outside min/max to Transparent.

How do I export my surface grid as a compressed registered raster image?

kbadmin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:17:07 GMT

Occurrence

I have created/imported a surface grid file in Discover, and modified its display. How can I export this as a small compressed registered image file, for static viewing by others?

Solution

Simply use Surfaces>Export GridFile or Contour>Export Grid to Image.
This method will preserve the resolution of the grid.

How do I select or clip points in a TAB file that lie above or below a grid surface?

Josh Knight — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:39:32 GMT
Occurrence

For example, a topographic grid has been created of an open cut pit (e.g. by overlaying a DEM grid with a series of donutted polygons representing pit bench levels using the Surfaces>Grid Utilities>Overlay tool).

You would like to examine those portions of the original exploration drillholes (drilled from surface) that lie either within or below this pit surface (the drillhole downhole data tables have been converted into a series
of individual points by desurveying them (Drillholes>3D coordinates), and Creating Points from these new XYZ co-ords).

Solution

1/. In MapInfo, create a new float -type field in the point TAB file (e.g. 'grid_value') using Table>Maintenance>Table.Modify Structure.

2/. With both datasets open in the same map window, select all the points and run the Surfaces>Utilities>Assign Values tool. Populate the new field (e.g. 'grid_value') with the output. Save the point table.

3/. Run a query (Query>Select) to compare the original Z value field with this new field.

4/. Save this query as a table