Golden Software, Inc.

Stratigraphically Superior
Well Log, Borehole & Cross
Section Plotting Software
www.GoldenSoftware.com Q
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Strater

Registration Information
Your Strater serial number is located on the CD cover or in the email
download instructions, depending on how you purchased Strater.
Register your Strater serial number online at
www.GoldenSoftware.com. Or, complete the Registration Form.PDF,
located in the main directory of the installation CD. Return the Registration
Form.PDF by mail or fax. This information will not be redistributed.
Registration entitles you to free technical support, free minor updates,
and upgrade pricing on future Strater releases. The serial number is
required when you run Strater the frst time, contact technical support,
or purchase Strater upgrades.
For future reference, write your serial number on the line below.
_________________________________
Strater

Quick Start Guide

Stratigraphically Superior Well Log, Borehole
& Cross Section Plotting Software
Golden Software, Inc.
809 14
th
Street, Golden, Colorado 80401-1866, U.S.A.
Phone: 303-279-1021 Fax: 303-279-0909
www.GoldenSoftware.com
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright Golden Software, Inc. 2012
The Strater

program is furnished under a license agreement. The Strater software

and quick start guide may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of
the agreement. It is against the law to copy the software or quick start guide on any
medium except as specifcally allowed in the license agreement. Contents are subject to
change without notice.
Strater is a registered trademark of Golden Software, Inc. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
February 2012
i
Quick Start Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction to Strater .......................................................................................1
Who Uses Strater? .........................................................................................1
System Requirements ........................................................................................2
Installation Directions ........................................................................................2
Updating Strater ...........................................................................................2
Uninstalling Strater ........................................................................................3
A Note about the Documentation .........................................................................3
Three-Minute Tour .............................................................................................4
Example Strater Files .....................................................................................4
Lith Section-1 ...........................................................................................4
Example Logs ...........................................................................................4
Using Strater ................................................................................................5
Strater User Interface ........................................................................................6
Menu Commands ...........................................................................................8
Toolbars .......................................................................................................8
Status Bar ....................................................................................................8
View Manager ...............................................................................................8
Object Manager .............................................................................................9
Property Manager ........................................................................................ 11
Changing the Window Layout ........................................................................ 12
Docking Managers ................................................................................... 12
Customizing Toolbars and Menus ............................................................... 12
View Window Types ......................................................................................... 12
Adding View Windows .................................................................................. 12
Opening, Closing, and Deleting View Windows ................................................. 12
Table View .................................................................................................. 13
Creating a New Table ............................................................................... 13
Loading Data .......................................................................................... 13
Types of Tables ....................................................................................... 14
Collars Table ....................................................................................... 14
Depth Table ....................................................................................... 14
Interval Table .................................................................................... 14
Lithology Table.................................................................................... 14
Project Settings Table .......................................................................... 15
Survey Table ...................................................................................... 15
Text Item Table .................................................................................. 15
Well Construction Table ....................................................................... 15
Borehole View ............................................................................................. 16
Parts of the Borehole View ........................................................................ 16
View Mode ............................................................................................. 17
ii
Strater
Map View ................................................................................................... 17
Base Maps .............................................................................................. 17
Georeferencing Images ........................................................................ 18
Well Maps .............................................................................................. 18
Well Selector Lines .................................................................................. 19
Cross Section View ...................................................................................... 20
Adding Well Headers ................................................................................ 21
Editing the Cross Section .......................................................................... 21
Log Types ....................................................................................................... 21
Depth Logs ................................................................................................. 22
Line/Symbol Logs ........................................................................................ 22
Crossplot Logs ............................................................................................ 22
Zone Bar Logs ............................................................................................. 22
Bar Logs .................................................................................................... 22
Percentage Logs .......................................................................................... 23
Tadpole Logs ............................................................................................... 23
Post Logs ................................................................................................... 23
Classed Post Logs ........................................................................................ 23
Complex Text Logs ...................................................................................... 23
Graphic Logs ............................................................................................... 24
Lithology Logs ............................................................................................. 24
Well Construction Logs ................................................................................. 24
Function Logs ............................................................................................. 24
Creating Logs in the Borehole View or Cross Section View ................................. 24
Drawing Objects .............................................................................................. 25
Drawing Objects in a Borehole, Map, or Cross Section View ............................... 25
Import Object ............................................................................................. 25
Linked Text ................................................................................................. 26
Scale Bar ................................................................................................... 26
Legends ..................................................................................................... 26
Inserted Map Views ..................................................................................... 26
Schemes and the Scheme Editor ........................................................................ 27
Scheme Requirements ................................................................................. 27
Data and Schemes ...................................................................................... 27
Opening the Scheme Editor .......................................................................... 27
Scheme Types ............................................................................................. 28
Opening and Saving Schemes ....................................................................... 28
Copying, Converting, and Deleting Schemes ................................................... 29
Editing Scheme Items .................................................................................. 29
Templates ....................................................................................................... 29
Creating Templates ...................................................................................... 30
Saving Templates ........................................................................................ 30
Loading Templates ....................................................................................... 30
Template Information ................................................................................... 31
iii
Quick Start Guide
Tutorial .......................................................................................................... 31
Tutorial Lesson Overview .............................................................................. 31
Using the Tutorial with the Demo Version ........................................................ 31
Starting Strater ........................................................................................... 32
Lesson 1 - Loading Data ............................................................................... 32
Lesson 2 - Creating Logs .............................................................................. 33
Creating a Depth Log ............................................................................... 33
Creating a Line/Symbol Log ...................................................................... 33
Creating a Zone Bar Log ........................................................................... 34
Lesson 3 - Changing Properties ..................................................................... 34
Editing Log Item Position and Size ............................................................. 34
Spacing Objects ...................................................................................... 35
Editing Line/Symbol Log Properties ............................................................ 35
Editing Zone Bar Properties ...................................................................... 36
Editing Schemes ..................................................................................... 37
Lesson 4 - Creating and Editing Drawing Items ................................................ 38
Creating Text .......................................................................................... 38
Creating Linked Text ................................................................................ 38
Aligning Text........................................................................................... 39
Creating a Legend ................................................................................... 39
Lesson 5 - Changing Boreholes ...................................................................... 40
Changing All Logs to a New Borehole ......................................................... 40
Changing One Log to a New Borehole ......................................................... 40
Lesson 6 - Creating a Map View ..................................................................... 41
Opening a New Map View ......................................................................... 41
Displaying the Well Locations .................................................................... 41
Changing the Well Properties .................................................................... 41
Changing the Map Properties .................................................................... 42
Adding a Well Selector Line ....................................................................... 42
Lesson 7 - Creating a Cross Section View ........................................................ 43
Opening a New Cross Section View ............................................................ 43
Displaying Wells in the Cross Section ......................................................... 43
Editing Cross Section Properties ................................................................ 43
Reshaping the Cross Section Connections ................................................... 44
Lesson 8 - Saving Information ...................................................................... 44
Printing the Online Help .................................................................................... 45
Printing One Topic ....................................................................................... 45
Printing One Book ....................................................................................... 45
Printing the Entire Help File .......................................................................... 45
Getting Help ................................................................................................... 46
Online Help ................................................................................................ 46
Context-Sensitive Help ................................................................................. 46
Internet Resources ...................................................................................... 46
Technical Support ........................................................................................ 47
Contact Information ..................................................................................... 47
Index ............................................................................................................. 48
Strater
1
Quick Start Guide
Introduction to Strater
Welcome to Strater, a powerful well logging and borehole plotting software package.
Strater creates 14 different log types: depth, line/symbol, crossplot, zone bar,
bar, percentage, tadpole, post, classed post, complex text, graphic, lithology, well
construction, and function logs. Each of the logs can be modifed to suit your needs.
Strater 3 adds the ability to create maps to display well locations, base maps, and
well selector lines. Strater 3 also adds cross sections that interpolate between wells.
Strater exports to a variety of formats, including a direct export to Golden Softwares
Voxler program to create Strater cross sections as fence diagrams in 3D space.
Data can be imported from many sources, including ASCII text fles, LAS fles, and
most databases. Straters internal data structure can contain multiple tables. Multiple
boreholes can be stored in the data tables at one time.
Strater can have multiple boreholes displayed in a single borehole view. You can
specify a different well ID for each log in a borehole view with a few mouse clicks. You
can also create multiple borehole views, map views, and cross section views in a single
project.
Once you design a borehole view, map view, or cross section view, you can use the
design repeatedly with other data. There are several features in Strater designed to
save time with borehole graphic processing. After creating an initial design, you can
take advantage of templates and schemes, which can be used in different projects
with different data or in the same project multiple ways. Templates store the design
elements of a project, including log items, header and footer items, data tables, and
schemes.
Schemes contain detailed information of how the data relate to drawing properties.
For example, a lithology log uses lithology schemes, which contain keywords, such as
granite, clay, etc. Each keyword is assigned a fll pattern, contact line properties, line
properties, and text properties. Schemes can be reused; therefore, you do not have to
go through the process of assigning properties each time you create a log.
Who Uses Strater?
People from many different disciplines use Strater to display their well data. Users
in the oil and gas industry, environmental monitoring frm consultants, mudloggers,
mining geoscientists, water quality experts, military personnel, and people working at
utilities companies use Strater to best display their data. Data from well studies, LAS
fles, drill cores, or text fles based on seismic studies and subsurface mapping can be
displayed in Strater. Anyone wanting to visualize the relationship of their data with
stunning graphical output will beneft from Straters powerful features!
2
Strater
New features of Strater 3 are summarized:
Online at: www.GoldenSoftware.com/products/strater/straternew.shtml
In the program: click the Help | Contents command and click on the New
Features page in the Introduction book
System Requirements
The minimum system requirements for Strater are:
Windows XP SP2 or higher, Vista, 7, or higher
512 MB RAM minimum for simple data sets, 1 GB RAM recommended
At least 100 MB of free disk space
1024 x 768 or higher monitor resolution with a minimum of 16-bit color depth
Installation Directions
Installing Strater 3 requires logging onto the computer with an account that has
Administrator rights. Golden Software does not recommend installing Strater 3
over any previous version of Strater. Strater 3 can coexist with older versions
(i.e. Strater 2) as long as they are installed in different directories. By default, the
program directories are different. For detailed installation directions, refer to the
Readme.rtf fle.
To install Strater from a CD:
1. Insert the Strater CD into the CD-ROM drive. The installation program
automatically begins on most computers. If the installation does not begin
automatically, double-click on the Autorun.exe fle located on the Strater CD.
2. Click Install Strater from the Strater Auto Setup dialog to begin the installation.
To install Strater from a download:
1. Download Strater according to the emailed directions you received.
2. Double-click on the downloaded fle to begin the installation process.
Updating Strater
To update Strater, open the program and click the Help | Check for Update
command. The Internet Update program will check Golden Software's servers for any
free updates. If there is an update for your version of Strater (i.e. Strater 3.0 to
Strater 3.1), you will be prompted to download the update.
3
Quick Start Guide
Uninstalling Strater
Windows XP: To uninstall Strater, go to the Windows Control Panel and double-click
Add/Remove Programs. Select Strater 3 from the list of installed applications. Click
the Remove button to uninstall Strater 3.
Windows Vista: To uninstall Strater when using the Regular Control Panel
Home, click the Uninstall a program link. Select Strater 3 from the list of installed
applications. Click the Uninstall button to uninstall Strater 3.
To uninstall Strater when using the Classic View Control Panel, double-click Programs
and Features. Select Strater 3 from the list of installed applications. Click the
Uninstall button to uninstall Strater 3.
Windows 7: To uninstall Strater go to the Windows Control Panel and click the
Uninstall a program link. Select Strater 3 from the list of installed applications. Click
the Uninstall button to uninstall Strater 3.
A Note about the Documentation
The Strater documentation includes this quick start guide and the online help.
General information is included in the quick start guide. Detailed information about
each command and feature of Strater is included in the online help. Use the Help
| Contents command in the program to open the online help. In the event the
information you need cannot be located in the online help, other sources of Strater
help include our support forum, knowledge base, FAQs, newsletters, blog, and
contacting our technical support engineers.
You can also purchase a full PDF users guide that includes all of the documentation for
the program. This PDF users guide can be printed by the user, if desired. The guide
can be purchased on the Golden Software website at www.GoldenSoftware.com.
Various font styles are used throughout the Strater documentation. Bold text
indicates menu commands, dialog names, window names, and page names. Italic text
indicates items within a manager or dialog such as group names, options, and feld
names. For example, the Save As dialog contains a Save as type drop-down list. Bold
and italic text also may be used occasionally for emphasis.
In addition, menu commands appear as File | Open. This means, "click on the File
menu at the top of the Strater window, then click on Open within the File menu list."
The frst word is always the menu name, followed by the commands within the menu
list.
4
Strater
Three-Minute Tour
We have included several example fles with Strater so that you can quickly see some
of Straters capabilities. Only a few example fles are discussed here, and these
examples do not include all of Straters many log types and features. The Object
Manager is a good source of information as to what is included in each fle.

Example Strater Files
To view the example Strater fles:
1. Open Strater.
2. Click the File | Open command.
3. Click on a .SDG fle located in the Samples folder. By
default, the Strater Samples folder is located in C:\
Program Files\Golden Software\Strater 3\Samples.
4. Click Open and the fle opens.
The primary graphical component to a document is a borehole
view. A borehole view is either based on a template fle or
created from scratch by adding the necessary log, header and
footer items. Boreholes views, map views, and cross section
views display logs, well and base maps, and cross sections of
the selected data when the tab is selected. When a data table
tab is selected its data appears in the workspace.
Lith Section-1
The Lith Section-1.sdg sample fle contains a sample lithology
log column. Age, formation, lithology type, and
lithology description appear in the borehole view. Four
data tables are included in the .SDG fle and include the
information being displayed in the borehole view.
Example Logs
The Example Logs.sdg sample fle contains every type
of log fle that Strater can create. Click on a log and
the Property Manager updates to show only that logs
properties. Experiment with the properties for the logs
to see how the log changes. Click on the map and cross
section tabs to experiment with the properties for the
map and cross section views.
The Lith Section-1.sdg
fle contains several
zone bar logs and a
lithology log.
The Example Logs.sdg fle
contains a sample of each type of
log that can be created.
5
Quick Start Guide
Using Strater
The general steps to progress from a data fle to a borehole are as follows.
1. Open Strater.
2. Click the File | Load Data command.
3. In the Open dialog, select the data fle and click the Open button. For this
example, the data should have From and To columns because of the type of log
created. The sample Tutorial 1.xls fle can be used with the Lithology sheet.
4. In the data import dialogs, set the column names and rows to import. The data
loads into Strater and is displayed in a table view.
5. Click on the Borehole 1 tab.
6. Click the Log | Depth command to create a depth log.
7. Click on the screen in the location where you want the depth log to be displayed.
8. In the Open dialog, verify that Use current table is selected and click Open. The
depth log is displayed.
9. Click the Log | Zone Bar command to create a zone bar log.
10. Click on the screen where you want the zone bar log to be displayed.
11. In the Open dialog, verify that Use current table is selected and click Open. The
zone bar log is displayed.
12. Click the File | Save As command. Enter a File name in the Save As dialog and
click the Save button to save your Strater project.
To proceed from the borehole to a map view and cross section view, these steps are
used.
1. Click the File | New | Map View command to create a new blank map window.
2. Click the Map | Create Well Map to display the wells on the map. Select and load
a collars table, if prompted. The sample Example Data.xls fle can be used with the
Collars sheet.
3. Click the Map | Add Well Selector command.
4. Click on the wells in the order they should appear in a cross section.
5. Click the File | New | Cross Section View command to create a new blank cross
section.
6. Click the Cross Section | Create Cross Section command to create the default
cross section from the well selector.
6
Strater
Strater User Interface
The Strater user interface consists of the title bar, menu bar, toolbars, view window,
managers, and status bar. Strater contains four window types: borehole view, table
view, map view, and cross section view. Wells are displayed in the borehole view. Map
views display well locations, well selector lines, and base maps. Cross section views
display connected zone bar or lithology logs for multiple wells, connecting the lithology
or other stratigraphic information across wells. The table view contains all of the data
stored in the project.
This is the Strater window with the View Manager, Object Manager, and
Property Manager stacked on the left side. The borehole view window, where
the borehole logs are displayed, is on the right side. The toolbars and menu are
displayed at the top and the status bar is displayed at the bottom.
7
Quick Start Guide
The following table summarizes the function of the Strater layout components.
Component
Name
Component Function
Title Bar The title bar lists the program name plus the saved Strater .SDG fle
name, if any. An asterisk (*) after the fle name indicates the fle has
been modifed since it was last saved.
Menu Bar The menu bar contains the commands used to run Strater.
Toolbars The toolbars contain Strater tool buttons, which are shortcuts to
menu commands. Move the cursor over each button to display a tool
tip describing the command. Toolbars can be customized with the
Tools | Customize command. Toolbars can be docked or foating.
Tabbed
Windows
Multiple table view, borehole view, map view, and cross section view
windows are displayed as tabs. Click on the tab to display a window.
View
Manager
The View Manager contains a list of the borehole view, map view,
and cross section views in the project. You can open or close views,
add or delete views, and save or load template fles in the View
Manager. The View Manager is initially docked on the left side
above the Object Manager and Property Manager. The View
Manager can be dragged and placed at any location on the screen.
Object
Manager
The Object Manager contains a hierarchical list of the objects in
the window. These objects can be selected, added, arranged, edited,
and renamed in the Object Manager. Changes made in the Object
Manager are refected in the view window. The Object Manager is
initially docked at the left side below the View Manager. The Object
Manager can be dragged and placed at any location on the screen.
Property
Manager
The Property Manager allows you to edit any of the properties of
the selected object. Changes made in the Property Manager are
immediately refected in the view window. The Property Manager
is initially docked on the left side below the Object Manager. The
Property Manager can be dragged and placed at any location on the
screen.
Status Bar The status bar displays information about the activity in Strater. The
status bar is divided into four sections. The left section displays help
messages and progress text. The next section displays the cursor
location. The third section displays a progress gauge or the estimated
time remaining for long tasks. The right section displays the page
number and whether the log is in active or design mode.
8
Strater
Menu Commands
The menus contain commands that allow you to add, edit, and control the logs, maps,
and cross sections in the windows. See the Data Table View and Borehole, Cross
Section, and Map View Commands help books in the online help for details about the
various menu commands.
Toolbars
Toolbars display buttons that represent menu commands for easier access. Use the
View | Toolbars command to show or hide a toolbar. A check mark is displayed next
to visible toolbars. Hold the cursor over any tool button on the toolbar to display the
function of the button as a screen tip. A more detailed description is displayed in the
status bar at the bottom of the window.
Status Bar
The status bar is located at the bottom of the window. Use the View | Status Bar
command to show or hide the status bar. The status bar displays information about the
current command or activity in Strater. The status bar is divided into four sections.
The left section displays help messages and progress text. The next section displays
the cursor location. The third section displays a progress gauge or the estimated time
remaining for long tasks. The right section displays the page number and whether the
log is in active or design mode.
View Manager
In Strater you can have multiple view window types in one project. This is useful
in displaying multiple graphics for multiple wells, displaying different layouts for the
same data, or displaying maps or cross sections. Click the View | Managers | View
Manager command to display the View Manager. The View Manager contains
a list of the various borehole views, cross section views, and map views. You can
open or close views, add or delete views, and save or load template fles in the View
Manager.
The check box to the left of a view name indicates if that view is open or closed. If a
view is closed (not visible), either check the box next to the view name or click the
view name. Unchecking all view check boxes in the View Manager closes the entire
project. When the last check box is unchecked a window appears asking you to save
any unsaved work in the project. The project then closes.
To display the view properties associated with any view in the View Manager window,
click on the view name. The view properties are listed in the Property Manager.
9
Quick Start Guide
Right-click in the View Manager to see options
available for adding or deleting views or for
loading templates.
New Borehole View creates a new blank
borehole view in the current project.
New Map View creates a new blank map
view in the current project.
New Cross Section View creates a new
blank cross section view in the current
project.
Delete deletes the currently highlighted
borehole view from the project.
Save Template saves a current project as a
template .TSF fle.
Load Template opens a template into the existing project.
View Properties displays the currently selected view windows borehole, map, or
cross section view properties in the Property Manager.
Object Manager
The Object Manager contains a list of all objects.
For borehole and cross section views, the objects are
separated into a list for each pane. The objects can be
selected, arranged, and edited in the Object Manager
or with menu commands. Changes made in the Object
Manager are refected in the borehole view, map view,
or cross section view, and vice versa.
Click the View | Managers | Object Manager
command to show or hide the Object Manager. A
check mark indicates the manager is visible. No check
mark indicates the manager is hidden.
You can increase the borehole view, map view, or
cross section view window space by minimizing the
managers. To hide the manager, click the button in
the upper right corner of the Object Manager. When
the manager is hidden, place the cursor directly over
the tab to display the Object Manager again. Click
the button to return the manager to a docked position.
The Object Manager contains
a list of all of the objects in the
view window.
The View Manager allows you to
create new views, delete existing views,
or save and load templates.
10
Strater
To select an object, click on it in the view window or click on the object name in the
Object Manager. In complex views, it is sometimes easier to select a specifc object
in the Object Manager. To select multiple objects in the Object Manager, hold down
the CTRL key and click on each object.
When an object is selected, properties for that object are displayed in the Property
Manager. The Property Manager should be displayed by default, but if you do not
see it, click the View | Managers | Property Manager command. The borehole
view, map view, or cross section view updates to show the object with a selection
bounding box around the object.
Each item in the Object Manager list consists of an icon indicating the object type, a
text label for the object, and a check box. A indicates that the object is visible. A
indicates that the object is not visible. Click the check box to change the visibility
of the object. Invisible objects do not appear in the borehole view, map view, or cross
section view and do not appear on exported or printed output.
If an object contains sub-objects, a or button displays to the left of the object
name. Click on the or button to expand or collapse the list. For example, a Map
object can contain four axes, multiple Wells layers, multiple Wells Selection layers, and
Base layers. To expand the Map to see the axes and layers, click on the button next
to Map. To collapse the Map, click on the button next to Map.
To edit an objects text ID, select the object and then click again on the selected item
(two slow clicks). You must allow enough time between the two clicks so it is not
interpreted as a double-click. Enter the new name into the box. Alternatively, you can
click the Edit | Rename Object command. Type the new ID and press ENTER on the
keyboard.
To change the display order of the objects with the mouse, select an object and drag it
to a new position in the list above or below an object at the same level in the tree. The
cursor changes to a black arrow if the object can be moved to the cursor location or a
red circle with a diagonal line if the object cannot be moved to the indicated location.
For example, a log can be moved anywhere within the Log Pane Objects section,
but not into the Header Pane Objects section. In addition to dragging objects in the
Object Manager, the order can be changed with the Arrange | Order Objects
command.
To delete an object, select the object and press the DELETE key on the keyboard or
click the Edit | Delete command.
11
Quick Start Guide
Property Manager
The Property Manager allows you
to edit the properties of the currently
selected object, such as a depth log
or scale bar. The Property Manager
contains a list of all properties for
a selected object. The Property
Manager can be left open so the
properties of selected objects are
always visible. Information about the
object properties is located in the
online help.
Features with multiple options appear
with a or button to the left of the
name. To expand a section, click on
the button. To collapse a section,
click on the button. For example,
click on a Depth Log in the Object
Manager to select it. In the Property
Manager, click on the Label tab.
Click the next to Layout and you
see several options, Frequency, Offset
Types, Angle, and Nudge End Values.
To change a property, click on the
property's value next to the property
name. Select a new property from the list, scroll to a new number using the
buttons, open a dialog with the button, or type a new value and press ENTER on
your keyboard. How a property is changed depends on the property type. For example,
a Bar Log has a Bar Size option that is changed by typing a value or clicking the
button. The Range Scheme option can be changed by clicking the existing scheme and
selecting a new scheme from the list or by clicking the button and selecting new
options in the dialog.
Occasionally, some properties are dependent on other selections. For example, with
the Depth Log module, the Y Offset option is not available unless the Offset Types is
set to User Defned.
The Property Manager is used to change the
properties of selected objects.
12
Strater
Changing the Window Layout
The windows, toolbars, managers, and menu bar display in a docked view by default;
however, they can also be displayed as foating windows. The visibility, size, and
position of each item may also be changed. Refer to the Changing the Window Layout
topic in the online help for more information on layout options.
Docking Managers
Strater has a docking mechanism feature that allows for easy
docking of managers. Left-click the title bar of a manager and drag
it to a new location while holding down the left mouse button. The
docking mechanism displays arrow indicators as you move the
manager around the screen. When the cursor touches one of the
docking indicators in the docking mechanism, a blue rectangle
shows the window docking position. Release the left mouse button
to allow the manager to be docked in the specifed location.
Customizing Toolbars and Menus
You may customize Straters toolbars and menus by clicking the Tools | Customize
command. This is useful to create custom toolbars, rearrange menus, menu
commands, and toolbar buttons. You can display image, text, or image and text
depending on your preference. You can also create a new button appearance for a
command.
View Window Types
There are four different view types available in a Strater workspace: borehole views,
map views, cross section views, and tables. There is no limit to the number of views
that can be associated with a Strater project.
Adding View Windows
To create a new view window, click the File | New command and select the
appropriate view type. A new blank view will appear.
Opening, Closing, and Deleting View Windows
To open an existing view window in the current project, click the appropriate tab
name, check the box next to the view in the View Manager, or select Window |
[view name].
To close a view window, right-click on the view tab and select Close or uncheck the box
The docking
mechanism has
docking indicators.
13
Quick Start Guide
to the left of the view name in the View Manager. This does not delete the view from
the project, it only closes the tab and turns off the visibility of the view.
To delete a view window, right-click on the view tab and select Delete or right-click on
the view name in the View Manager and select Delete.
Table View
All data used to generate logs in a borehole view or a cross section view, or well
locations in a map view must be loaded into a Strater project. These data tables are
represented by data tabs. Data can be loaded from a fle into a new table, loaded from
a fle into an existing table, or manually entered into a table. Each log type requires
specifc setup requirements for the associated data table. Refer to the online help
Data Formatting Requirements for Logs page in the Log Items book for additional
information.
One important aspect of Strater is that data for multiple boreholes may be entered in
one or several tables. In a data table, boreholes are defned by their Hole ID. There is
no limit to the number of boreholes that can exist in a data table.
Creating a New Table
To create a new table, click the File | New | Table command or click the button.
In the Create New Table dialog, select the Base Table Type and type a name in the
Table Name feld. Click Create and the new table is created with the default felds.
Enter data manually or import data into the table.
Loading Data
With any window active, click the File | Load Data command or the button. Use
the Look In feld to locate the desired fle to download. Select the data fle and click
Open. The data is opened in a new data table.
To load the data to an existing data table in the project, click on that data table tab to
make it active. Click the File | Load Data command or the button. Use the Look
In feld to locate the desired fle to download. Select the data fle and check the box
next to the Import data into current table option. Click Open and the data is added to
the active table.
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Strater
Types of Tables
Collars tables, depth tables, interval tables, lithology tables, project settings tables,
survey tables, text item tables, and well construction tables can be created in Strater.
Each table type has a different function in Strater. Each table has different default
required columns. Although all default columns are created, data does not need to be
stored in all of the default columns to create the logs.
Collars Table
Collars tables contain location information for each borehole. The default column
defnitions include Hole ID, Easting, Northing, Elevation, Starting Depth, Ending Depth,
Scale, Inclination, and Azimuth. The data in this table can be used for header and
footer linked text, to set the scaling parameters for the borehole view, or to specify
the elevation of the well collar for depth logs. The Inclination and Azimuth columns can
be used to calculate true vertical depth for deviated well log displays. The collars table
is also used for placing wells in a map view and for approximating distances in a cross
section view.
Note that a project can have multiple collars tables, but each borehole should be listed
in only a single collars table.
Depth Table
Depth tables are used for depth and variable information. The default column
defnitions include Hole ID, Depth, and additional parameter columns. The depth
information is contained in one column. Depth tables are used for depth, line/symbol,
crossplot, bar, percentage, tadpole, post, classed post, and function logs.
Interval Table
Interval tables are used to show a variable that occurs over a distance interval.
There are two depth columns (From and To) in an interval table. The default column
defnitions are Hole ID, From, To, and additional parameter columns. Interval tables
are used for depth, line/symbol, crossplot, zone bar, bar, percentage, tadpole, post,
classed post, complex text, graphic, lithology, well construction, and function logs.
Lithology Table
Lithology tables are a special type of interval table. These tables defne the properties
of lithology logs using keywords and schemes. The default column defnitions are Hole
ID, From, To, Lithology Keyword, Lithology Description, Indent Percentage, Indent
Keyword, and Indent Scale. Although the primary purpose of a lithology table is to
create a lithology log, the lithology table can also be used for depth, line/symbol,
crossplot, zone bar, bar, percentage, tadpole, post, classed post, complex text,
graphic, well construction, and function logs.
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Quick Start Guide
Project Settings Table
Project settings tables are a special type of text table and are automatically created
when you open a new Strater project fle. They are used to store project information.
The default column defnitions are Project Name, Company Name, Location, Project
Leader, Drilling Date, and Comments. This table stores data that is often used in linked
text objects.
Survey Table
Survey tables are a special type of depth table used to indicate the direction and
azimuth of a directional well as it changes down the hole. The default column
defnitions include Hole ID, Depth, Inclination, and Azimuth. The survey table
Inclination and Azimuth columns can be used for calculating the true vertical depth
of drill holes. The survey table is used in conjunction with depth or interval tables for
deviated drill holes.
Note that a project can have multiple survey tables, but each borehole should be listed
in only a single survey table.
Text Item Table
Text tables are tables designed to store attributes for particular boreholes. The default
column defnitions include Hole ID and Depth. Other columns can be added, depending
on the project. For example, drilling date, temperature, geologist, location, etc. can be
stored in a text item table. Any type of data can be imported into this table. If there is
a Hole ID defned in the table, the data can be used for linked text.
Well Construction Table
Well construction tables are a special type of interval table used to defne the
geometry of specifc items in a well construction log, such as casing and cap
information. The default column defnitions include Hole ID, From, To, Outer Diameter,
Inner Diameter, Offset, and Item information. Well construction logs use keywords and
schemes to defne the properties for each item in the well construction table. Although
the primary purpose of a well construction table is to create a well construction log,
the well construction table can also be used to create depth, line/symbol, crossplot,
zone bar, bar, percentage, tadpole, post, classed post, complex text, graphic, lithology,
and function logs.
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Strater
Borehole View
The primary graphical component to a document is a borehole view. A borehole view
represents a collection of logs and drawing objects used to graphically display data for
one or more wells. A borehole view may be derived from a template fle or it can be
created from an empty borehole view window by adding log items. The borehole view
displays the true data for the project once data are loaded into the data tables.
You are presented with an empty borehole view when you frst start Strater.
To create a new blank borehole view, click the File | New | Borehole View command
or click the button.
Parts of the Borehole View
There are three main components of a borehole view: the log pane, header pane, and
footer pane. The panes are outlined when you open up a
blank view. You can change the pane line properties in the
Property Manager on the View tab. The size of the panes
is changed with the File | Page Setup command.
The header and footer panes generally contain static,
unlinked information. The header and footer items are used
repeatedly with minimal changes when different borehole
data are applied to the view. Linked text, linked scale
bars, and inserted map views can also be included in these
panes. Linked text changes as new data are applied to the
view. Horizontal scale bars can be associated with some
log items or they can be created as a stand-alone, static
object. When the scale bar is linked to a log item, the scale
bar changes as changes are made to the log item to which
it is linked. Inserted map views change as the map in the
map view window changes.

The information displayed in the log pane is dependent on
the selected data and columns in the tables. The information displayed in the log pane
is also dependent on the minimum and maximum depth and the scaling values. The
data in the tables, combined with the depth and scaling values determine the size of
the logs and the number of pages.
The top rectangle is the
header pane, the middle is
the log pane, and the bottom
is the footer pane. Logs are
created in the log pane.
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Quick Start Guide
View Mode
There are two view modes in the borehole view: design mode and active mode. Design
mode is used to create graphics without attaching them to data. After creating a
log, a place holder is displayed that represents the log. Design mode is useful when
designing templates.
Active mode is used to display logs that are linked to data. The logs update as the
data changes. It is most common to work in active mode. To switch modes either click
the button or click the Log| Design Mode command.
Map View
Map views can display well locations and base maps, such as feld outlines or exported
Surfer maps. Drawing objects and labels can be added to a map view. A well selector
line can be added to a map view to select wells for display in a cross section. Once a
map view is created, it can be inserted into a borehole view or cross section view as a
reference image.
To create a new blank map view, click the File | New | Map View command or click
the button. Only one Map object can be created in each map view, but each Map
can have multiple well layers, base maps, and well selector lines.
Base Maps
Base maps display geographic and political information such as roads, streams, lakes,
satellite imagery, or state and county boundaries. Base map fles draw objects at
precise X, Y locations on a map and can contain points, polygons, polylines, text, and
images. Base maps can be created from many common map formats, including .DXF,
.SHP, and a variety of image formats.
In a blank map view, click the Map | Create Base Map command or click the
button to create a new base map. Select the base map fle, such as a .SHP, .DXF, or
.TIF fle and click Open. The base map is created.
To add a base map to an existing map, click the Map | Add Base Layer command,
click the button, or right-click on an existing map and choose Add | Add Base
Layer.
If the properties of the base map should be the same as the other objects in the Map,
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Strater
the base map properties can be edited by clicking on the Map in the Object Manager
and editing the properties in the Property Manager. This changes the properties for
all layers in the map.
If the properties of the base map should be different than other objects in the Map,
the Base map layer should be selected. When the properties are edited while the Base
layer is selected, all of the objects in the base layer are changed to refect the new
properties. Some base maps consist of multiple objects (i.e. polygons, polylines, text,
etc.). The sub-objects can be selected individually in the Object Manager and edited
in the Property Manager.
Georeferencing Images
Image fles should be georeferenced before adding it to the map as a base map. When
an image fle is imported that is not georeferenced, the image will appear at the X and
Y position of (0,0). There is currently not a way to specify the real world coordinates
for an image or to georeference the image in Strater. Golden Softwares Didger or
Surfer programs could be used to georeference the image prior to importing it into
Strater.
Well Maps
Map views graphically display wells on a map. Map views display wells with X and Y
locations listed in a collars table. Wells can be removed individually to customize the
appearance of the map view.
To create a well map in a blank
map view, click the Map |
Create Well Map command
or click the button to
create a new well map. If a
single collars table already
has been created, the well
map automatically uses that
collars table and the new map is
created displaying all the wells
from the collars table. If no collars table exists, you are prompted for the data fle to
create a collars table. If multiple collars table exist, you are prompted to select one
table.
Additional Wells layers can be added to the existing map by clicking the Map | Add
Well Layer command, clicking the button, or right-click on an existing map and
choosing Add | Well Layer. Creating multiple Wells maps allows wells from different
The wells are displayed in the map view with the well
name and elevation displayed below the well symbol.
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Quick Start Guide
collars fles to be displayed on the same map. It also allows different schemes to apply
to different types of wells.
If the properties of the Wells layer should be the same as the other objects in the Map,
the wells properties can be edited by clicking on the Map in the Object Manager and
editing the properties in the Property Manager. This changes the properties for all
layers in the map.
If the properties of the Wells layer should be different than other objects in the Map,
the Wells map layer should be selected. When the properties are edited while the Wells
layer is selected, all of the objects in the wells layer are changed to refect the new
properties. The sub-object wells can be selected individually in the Object Manager
and edited in the Property Manager.
Well Selector Lines
Once a well map has been created, wells can be connected for creation of a cross
section. Wells are selected in the order that they should appear in the cross section,
from left to right, with the frst selected well being displayed on the left side of the
cross section.
To connect wells:
1. Click the Wells map layer to select it.
2. Click the Map | Add Well Selector command, click the button, or right-click
on an existing map and choose Add | Well Selector.
3. The cursor changes to . As the cursor approaches a well, the well name appears
in a foating box. This makes selecting the correct well easier. Click on the frst well
to select it. In the map below, this would be well DH-4.
4. Click on each additional well. The order the wells are selected is the order that the
logs will appear in the cross section, from left to right. The order the additional
wells were selected in the image below would be DH-2, DH-1, and fnally DH-3.
5. After the last well is
selected, press the ENTER
key on the keyboard or
double-click on the last
well to end the current
well selector line.
6. Press ESC on the
keyboard or click the
button to end selector
mode.
The well selector appears as a line connecting
the various wells in the map view.
20
Strater
The well selector is displayed on the map as a line. In the Object Manager, the line
name is the names of the selected wells in the order the wells are selected.
To edit the well selector, click on the well selector object in the Object Manager. The
line properties for the well selector are located in the Property Manager. The wells
displayed on the line can also be edited.
To add wells to the well selector, click the on the well selector line in the Object
Manager to select it. In the Property Manager, click on the Well Selector tab. To
modify the well order, add wells, or delete wells, click the button.
To delete wells, on the right side of the dialog click on the well to be removed.
Click the Remove button and the selected well is removed from the list.
To add wells, on the left side of the dialog select the desired well to add. Click the
Add button. The well is added to the bottom of the list of wells in the selector line.
To modify the order the wells are connected, on the right side of the dialog click
on the well to move, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the well to the
desired location.
Click OK when all of the wells are in the proper order on the right side of the dialog
and the well selector line updates.
Cross Section View
Cross section views display multiple wells on a page. Each well can have a variety of
curves, similar to a borehole view. In addition, wells are automatically connected to
display layers, zones, or lithologies across the page, connecting information from the
wells. Well spacing and elevation hanging can be altered to give you the look you need
to display your data. The cross section view also allows data to be exported to a data
fle for use in Surfer or exported to a Voxler 3D display to create a fence diagram.
Drawing objects and labels can be added to a cross section view.
To create a cross section:
1. To create a new blank cross section view, click the File | New | Cross Section
View command or click the button.
2. Click the Cross Section | Create Cross Section command.
3. If multiple well selector lines have been created, select the appropriate map view
and well selector line and click OK.
The cross section is created with the default settings. The defaults include each layer
assigned a separate color based on the data in the lithology or interval table. If no
data appears, a lithology or interval table will need to be created. The table should
21
Quick Start Guide
contain information for all of the wells in the well selector line that is being used to
generate the cross section.
Adding Well Headers
To display well header information, click on the Cross Section | Add Well Headers
command. Up to fve different header lines can be displayed for each well, in addition
to the well symbol. Distances can also be displayed between wells. To edit the well
header, click on the Well Header object in the Header Pane Objects section of the
Object Manager.
Editing the Cross Section
To remove wells displayed in the cross section, click on the well name in the Logs
section of the Object Manager. Once a well is selected, press the DELETE key on the
keyboard to delete the well.
To change the order that wells are displayed in the cross section, click on the well
name in the Logs section of the Object Manager. Hold down the left mouse button
and drag the well to a new location. The order that the wells are drawn is the bottom-
most well in the Object Manager is displayed on the left side of the cross section and
the top-most well in the Object Manager is displayed on the right side of the cross
section.
After making any well order changes, a dialog appears prompting the user to recreate
the cross section. Click Yes in the dialog to automatically recreate the cross section.
To change the layer properties, click on the Layers object in the Object Manager. In
the Property Manager, set the keyword scheme for all of the layers. Or, uncheck the
box next to Use Scheme For Line/Fill. Then, click on an individual layer in the Object
Manager and set the properties for only that layer in the Property Manager.
To change the lines that create the layers, click on the layer that you want to change.
Make any changes by clicking and dragging the nodes that defne the layer. Press ESC
on the keyboard when all changes are complete. Refer to the Reshape page in the
Drawing Objects book in the online help for additional information.
Log Types
Both borehole views and cross section views display logs. Several different log types
can be created in Strater. To create a log in either the borehole view or cross section
view, click the Log | [log type] command. Click on the screen where the log should
22
Strater
be created. In the Open dialog, select the table to use or data fle to load and click
Open. The log is displayed with the default options.
Depth Logs
Depth logs are used as a scale bar to display the depth or elevation of the
data in the log or cross section pane. True vertical depth can be displayed
on a depth log, if azimuth and inclination are available for the wells.
Line/Symbol Logs
Line/symbol logs are used to display data as symbols with connected
lines. Line/symbol logs are useful for displaying assay values, geophysical
parameters, moisture content, etc.
Crossplot Logs
Crossplot logs are used to display intersections of two data curves on
a graph. Crossplot logs can be used to characterize properties such as
porosity, water saturation, or clay content by comparing where two logs
intersect.
Zone Bar Logs
Zone bar logs display intervals for a wide variety of logging data. For
instance, zone bars can represent sample intervals, alteration zones,
lithology, contamination layers, etc.
Bar Logs
There are two types of bar logs: standard bars and polarity bars.
Standard bar logs plot a bar from the data minimum value to the rows
data value. Polarity bar logs plot data based upon zero so there are bars
on both sides of zero if there is a mix of negative and positive data.
23
Quick Start Guide
Percentage Logs
Percentage logs are similar to bar logs. This log is often used to show the
different percentages of items in a sample, such as alterations, amounts
of various chemicals, or amounts of various rock types, such as sand,
clay, gravel, silt, etc.
Tadpole Logs
Tadpole logs plot symbols representing dip and dip direction as a function
of depth. This gives an indication of strike and dip of the bedding planes,
fractures, or any other structure along the depth of the borehole.
Post Logs
Post logs are used to display a symbol and text at the data position. The
symbols can represent sample locations at depth or intervals, and in the
case of monitoring wells, the depth to water, contamination, etc.
Classed Post Logs
Classed post logs are similar to the post logs, except classed post logs
use range schemes and numerical values to determine the symbol
properties.
Complex Text Logs
Complex text logs show text in intervals. This type of complex text
is generally used for rock descriptions, alteration descriptions, or any
general descriptive text contained in an interval of data. Long text blocks
are wrapped to ft within the log width. Separator styles can be used to
separate text in long descriptions. You can also merge the contents of two
or more consecutive intervals that contain the same displayed text.
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Strater
Graphic Logs
Graphic logs allow you to specify image fle names and display the image
as the fll for the appropriate interval. This is useful in displaying photos of
core, rock type, alteration, etc.
Lithology Logs
Lithology logs show the various stratigraphic layers in the borehole. The
display can be as simple as a flled block from the top to bottom, or the
display can be more elaborate and show weathering patterns and line
types.
Well Construction Logs
Well construction logs are a visual representation of the well, and are
generally used in the environmental industry. This log type shows items
such as screen interval, packing material, end caps, and covers.
Function Logs
Function logs allow multiple log variables to be combined into a single
log using a mathematical equation. The log variables being combined can
contain different depth spacings and be from
different tables. In this example log, the line/
symbol log and the bar log are combined to
create the third function log. A new table is
created with the output data.
Creating Logs in the Borehole View or Cross
Section View
1. With a borehole view or cross section view active,
click the Log | [log type] command or click the
toolbar button associated with the desired log item.
2. Move the cursor to the desired position in the log pane
or cross section pane and click where the log should
be displayed. Log items cannot be added to header or
footer panes. The location can be changed later.
Create multiple logs in the
borehole view to display all
your data in the best way.
25
Quick Start Guide
3. After clicking in the log or cross section pane, the Open dialog appears. Select a
new data source from the Look In feld or select the appropriate table in the Use
Current Table feld to select the data. Click Open.
4. Click through the import data options, if necessary.
Drawing Objects
You can draw text, polygons, polylines, symbols, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and
ellipses in Strater. In addition to these drawing objects you can import graphics, link
text to a data table, add scale bars for log items, and add legends for scheme data. In
borehole views and cross section views, you can also insert a map view for reference.
Drawing Objects in a Borehole, Map, or Cross Section View
A drawing object is any drawing item that can be added to a borehole view, map view,
or cross section view. Drawing objects include rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses,
symbols, polylines, polygons, and text. To draw an object in the view window:
1. Click the Draw | [drawing object] command or click one of the drawing object
toolbar buttons.
2. Move the cursor to the view window and click in the location where you want the
object to appear.
3. Draw the item. For most items, this involves clicking on the screen in multiple
locations or clicking and dragging the mouse on the screen to size the item
appropriately. Refer to the online help for each drawing object type for the specifc
instructions on drawing that object type.
4. Press the ESC key on the keyboard when the object is fnished to end drawing
mode.
There is no limit to the number of drawing objects that can appear in a borehole view,
map view, or cross section view.
Import Object
Imported objects are generally used to display information such as company logos or
other graphic images. You can import images, metafles, and vector fles and can place
them anywhere in the borehole view. To import an object, click the File | Import
command. Select the fle in the Import dialog and click Open. The item appears in the
view window.
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Strater
Linked Text
Linked text is used to show information such as location
information, depth, driller name, etc. Linked text is
derived from text, collars, or project settings tables
or property settings. Linked text is added to the
borehole, map view, or cross section view by clicking
the Draw | Linked Text command. The text in the
linked text object changes when changes are made to
the contents in the linked data table or borehole property. Use the Property Manager
to change the linked text properties.
Scale Bar
A scale bar is used for variables in log items. Scale bars are linked
to line/symbol, crossplot, bar, tadpole, and function logs. You can
also create a scale bar that is not associated with a log. Scale bars
can be automatically created when the log is created or can be
manually created with the Draw | Scale Bar command.
Legends
You can easily create legends that describe the contents of logs whose appearance is
based on a scheme. Legends display user-defned colors, symbols, numerical ranges,
and keywords to help readers understand the visual content of a log.
Inserted Map Views
To insert a map view into a borehole view or cross section view, create the map view
exactly as you want it to appear. In the borehole view or cross section view:
1. Click the Draw | Insert Map View command.
2. If multiple map views exist, select the desired map view from the list and click OK.
Scale bars show
variable ranges for
log items.
Legends are directly related to the scheme associated with
a log. You can modify all the contents of a legend.
Combine multiple items with
linked text. When a new reading
is recorded in the table, the text
updates automatically.
27
Quick Start Guide
The map is added to the view. The map appears exactly as it appears in the map
view. To edit the inserted map, click on the map view tab and make adjustments. The
adjustments are automatically displayed in the borehole view or cross section view.
To resize the inserted map, click on the map. Hold down the left mouse button and
drag the bounding box handles to the appropriate size. Click and drag the map to any
location on the borehole view or cross section view to move the inserted map.
Schemes and the Scheme Editor
Data table values, schemes, and log properties are all related in the process of
creating a log in the borehole view or cross section view.
The data contains depth or interval information, borehole names, and the data to be
displayed on the log. Schemes contain property information that is linked to data and
is based on ranges or keywords. When scheme information is found in the data, the
graphical borehole log displays the properties of the scheme. The Property Manager
determines which data table and column are used to create the log, the scheme to use
(if any), and properties such as the color and location.
Scheme Requirements
Some log items are dependent on schemes for display. For example, lithology and well
construction logs require schemes. Other logs, such as bar logs, can optionally use
schemes. The scheme keywords are case-sensitive, so it is advisable to have Strater
automatically create the schemes using column data in the New Scheme dialog. To
do this, click on the table view. Highlight the column that contains the scheme data or
keywords and click the Table | Create Scheme command.
Data and Schemes
Since schemes are linked to the data, be sure to understand the data requirements
for the type of log being created and the column requirements for the associated
scheme type. For example, to use schemes with lithology logs, you must have specifc
keywords defned in specifc columns.
Opening the Scheme Editor
To open the Scheme Editor, click the Draw | Scheme Editor command, click the
button next to properties that request schemes in the Property Manager, or
click the button.
For example, you may have the word Jasperoid in a lithology keyword column in a
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Strater
lithology table. You can create a scheme containing a fll pattern, line pattern, contact
line pattern, and keyword label text properties for Jasperoid. When the scheme is
assigned to a lithology log, every time the word Jasperoid is used in the data table
column, Strater uses the properties assigned in the scheme in the graphical borehole
display.
The Scheme Editor
dialog contains a list of
the scheme types on
the left, each of which
is indicated by the
icon. If a scheme is
included in this project
there is a next to the
scheme type.
Scheme Types
There are fve main
scheme types: keyword,
lithology keyword,
indent keyword, range,
and well construction.
The properties for
each scheme item vary
depending on the scheme type. Refer to the online help fle for more details on each
scheme type.
Opening and Saving Schemes
To create a new scheme, click the button at the bottom of the Scheme Editor.
The New Scheme dialog opens, where you defne the schemes properties such as the
type of scheme and the number of scheme items. New schemes created in this way
can be based on column data by selecting Base Scheme on Column Data. This ensures
that the data matches the text in the selected table view.
If you would like to reuse schemes with other projects or share schemes with
colleagues, save the scheme by clicking the button. The scheme is saved as a
Strater .SCH scheme fle. Click the button at the bottom of the Scheme Editor to
open a Strater .SCH scheme fle.
Use the menu on the left to expand each scheme. In this example,
the Lithology Keyword scheme is expanded and the item Jasperoid
is highlighted. The properties of the highlighted item are displayed
on the right side of the dialog.
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Quick Start Guide
Copying, Converting, and Deleting Schemes
You can copy a scheme by selecting a scheme name and clicking the button. A
duplicate of the scheme appears in the scheme type list. You can edit the copy of the
scheme, including the scheme name and scheme item properties. If the copy button is
not available, a scheme is not currently selected.
Click the button to convert a lithology scheme to a keyword scheme or a keyword
scheme to a lithology scheme. This option is active only when a lithology or keyword
scheme is selected. This is useful if you wish to reuse schemes for different log types
without the necessity of recreating complex schemes.
You can delete a scheme by clicking a scheme name and clicking the button. If the
delete option is disabled, a scheme name is not selected.
Editing Scheme Items
Select a scheme item within a scheme and click the button to delete it. Insert a
new scheme item by clicking the button when a scheme item is selected. If the
delete or insert scheme items buttons are disabled, a scheme item is not selected. To
copy scheme items, click on the scheme item that contains the properties you want to
copy. Click the button to copy the item. A new scheme item is created with all of
the same properties as the original item.
To reorder scheme items, click on a scheme item name. Hold down the left mouse
button and drag the scheme item to the desired location. To sort scheme items in
ascending or descending order, click on the scheme name or a scheme item and click
either the or button. This reorders the list based on the scheme item name,
making it easier to fnd items in schemes with many items.
If you have made a change to a scheme after it has been applied to a log, you can
click the Apply button to show the changes in the borehole view or cross section view.
Templates
Once a borehole is designed you can reuse the design by saving it as a template.
Templates allow you to create, save, and load borehole designs to be reused in other
projects or by other Strater users. Template fles store the borehole view, map view,
cross section view, data table layout without any actual data, and the schemes.
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Strater
Template .TSF fles are stand-alone fles from the main Strater project .SDG fles.
Creating Templates
Templates can be created by either opening an existing project and saving it as a
template, or by starting with an empty borehole view, creating the borehole view
design and saving it as a template.
You can open a new, empty borehole view by:
Clicking the File | New | Borehole View command,
Clicking the icon, or
Right-clicking in the View Manager and selecting New Borehole View.
When the borehole view opens, design the borehole view, map view, and cross section
view by adding objects to the various windows. If you do not have data for the logs,
you can design the borehole view in design mode.
Saving Templates
You can save templates from either active or design mode. A saved template is stored
in the exact format in which it was saved. Once the borehole is designed, click the File
| Save As command or right-click in the View Manager and select Save Template. In
the dialog, set the Save as type to Strater Template Files (*.tsf).
Loading Templates
To load an existing template fle, click the File | Open command or right-click in the
View Manager and select Load Template. Borehole views in the template are loaded
into a new borehole view, map views in the template are loaded into a new map view,
cross section views in the template are loaded into a new cross section view, and the
data tables are automatically created. Once the template is loaded you can import
data into the data tables, edit the logs to refect the data, and create additional objects
if necessary.
Once a template has been loaded into a new Strater window, the appearance of
the borehole view remains unchanged if the original source template is changed
elsewhere. In order to use any changes made to the original template you must open
that template into a new borehole view.
Only one template can be used in each borehole view, map view, or cross section view.
However, you can open multiple templates into multiple view windows and save them
all in a single project fle.
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Quick Start Guide
Template Information
If there is a template associated with a borehole view it is listed on the View tab in
the Property Manager. If the Template Name feld is blank a template is not used for
this borehole view.
Tutorial
The tutorial is designed to introduce you to some of Straters basic features. After you
have completed the tutorial, you should be able to begin to use Strater with your own
data, creating your own boreholes, maps, and cross sections. We strongly encourage
completion of the tutorial before proceeding with Strater. The lessons should be
completed in order; however, they do not need to be completed in one session. The
tutorial should take approximately one hour to complete.
Now that you have an overview of Strater, lets create and edit a borehole view, map
view, and cross section view. We will change properties for each of the items being
created and save information.
Tutorial Lesson Overview
The following is an overview of lessons included in the tutorial.
Lesson 1 - Loading Data shows how to import data.
Lesson 2 - Creating Logs shows how to create a Depth log, a Line/Symbol log, and
a Zone Bar log.
Lesson 3 - Changing Properties shows how to change log properties.
Lesson 4 - Creating and Editing Drawing Items shows how to add text, linked text,
and a legend to the borehole view.
Lesson 5 - Changing Boreholes shows how to change all of the logs to another
borehole and how to change an individual log to a different borehole.
Lesson 6 - Creating a Map View shows how to load collar data into a table and
create a map view with a well layer and a well selector line.
Lesson 7 - Creating a Cross Section View shows how to create and edit a cross
section view.
Lesson 8 - Saving Information shows how to save the Strater project and how to
create a template.
Using the Tutorial with the Demo Version
Some Strater features are disabled in the demo version, which means that some
steps, such as lesson 8, cannot be completed by users running the demo version. This
is noted in the tutorial lesson.
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Strater
Starting Strater
To begin a Strater session:
1. Navigate to the installation folder, which is C:\Program Files\Golden Software\
Strater 3 by default.
2. Double-click on the Strater.exe application fle.
3. A new empty project is created with an empty borehole view and an empty project
settings table. If this is the frst time that you have opened Strater, you will be
prompted for your serial number. Your serial number is located on the CD cover, or
in the email download instructions, depending on how you purchased Strater.
If Strater is already open, click the File | New | Project command or the button
to open a new empty project before continuing with the tutorial.
Lesson 1 - Loading Data
Data can be loaded into Strater before any logs are created, while creating the logs or
after the logs have been created. In this section, the initial data is loaded before any
logs are created. If you prefer to create a log design frst, use Design Mode. Design
mode is discussed in the online help in the Advanced Tutorial book.
To load a data fle into a table:
1. Click the File | Load Data command or click the button.
2. In the Open dialog, navigate to the Strater Samples folder. By default, this is
located in C:\Program Files\Golden Software\Strater 3\Samples. Click on the
Tutorial 1.xls fle and click Open.
3. In the XLS Import Options dialog, select the Depth sheet and click OK.
4. In the Specify Worksheet Column Defnitions dialog, check the box next to
Specify Column Header Row. This tells Strater that the column number specifed
contains text indicating the column name. Click Next.
5. In the Specify Data Type and Column Positions dialog, set the Data type to
Depth (Single Depth).
6. Set the Hole ID and Depth columns to the appropriate columns. Click Load.
The data is displayed in a table view named Depth. This table can now be used to
create logs.
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Quick Start Guide
Lesson 2 - Creating Logs
The most common types of logs are depth logs and line/symbol logs. Data are
immediately associated with the log when creating log items in active mode, providing
an immediate image representing the log. This section will use the previously loaded
data fle to create a line/symbol and depth log. Another table will be loaded while
creating a zone bar log.
To create the logs in the borehole view, click
on the Borehole 1 tab.
Creating a Depth Log
Depth logs display the boreholes depth or
elevation information. For deviated wells, the
depth log can be adjusted so that the true
vertical depth can be displayed.
To create a depth log:
1. Click the Log | Depth command or click the
button.
2. Click on the left side of the log pane, where
you want the depth log to be located.
3. In the Open dialog, make sure that Depth is
selected in the Use Current Table option and
click Open. The depth log is created with the
default properties.
Creating a Line/Symbol Log
Line/symbol logs display table data connected
with a line in depth order. Symbols can also
be displayed, or both line and symbols can be
displayed. To create a line/symbol log:
1. Click the Log | Line/Symbol command or
click the button.
2. Click near the center of the log pane where the
line/symbol log should be located.
3. In the Open dialog, make sure that Depth is
selected in the Use Current Table option and
click Open. The line/symbol log is created with
the default properties.
Click on the Borehole 1 tab to switch to the
borehole view, where logs are created.
Select the Depth table in the Use
Current Table section.
Both the depth log and line/symbol
log are shown in the log pane, with a
scale bar in the header pane.
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Strater
Note that a scale bar appears in the header pane. The default option for line/symbol
logs is to always create a scale bar. The scale bar shows the range of values for the
variable being displayed. If scale bars are not desired by default, click the Tools |
Options command. Uncheck the box next to Auto Create Scale Bar in the General
section.
Creating a Zone Bar Log
Zone bar logs display a variety of well log information, such as lithology or layer
information. Zone bar logs include two columns of depth data, normally labeled as
From and To. Because of this, each row contains data that represents conditions in a
depth range. To create a zone bar log:
1. Click the Log | Zone Bar command or click the button.
2. Click in the log pane, to the right of the line/symbol log.
3. In the Open dialog, select Tutorial 1.xls from the Samples folder and click Open.
4. In the XLS Import Options dialog, select the Lithology sheet and click OK.
5. In the Specify Worksheet Column Defnitions dialog, check the box next to
Specify Column Header Row to use row 1 as the header row. Click Next.
6. In the Specify Data Type and Column Positions dialog, verify that Hole ID,
From, and To have the appropriate columns selected. The rest of the columns are
not mapped to one of the remaining predefned columns but will be imported into
the table. Click Load. The zone bar log is created with the default settings. An
interval table named Lithology is created with the data loaded from the selected
sheet.
Lesson 3 - Changing Properties
The properties of an object are edited by clicking on the object and changing the
properties in the Property Manager. The Property Manager is displayed by
default on the lower left side of the Strater window. If the Property Manager is not
visible, click the View | Managers | Property Manager command. A check mark
appears next to the Property Manager if it is visible. When an object is selected, the
properties are displayed in the Property Manager.
Editing Log Item Position and Size
The easiest way to position or size a log is to click on the log in the Object Manager
or in the log pane and drag it to a new location or size. However, items can be more
accurately positioned with menu commands and toolbars.
To accurately position and size the line/symbol log:
1. Click on the line/symbol log in the Object Manager or log pane to select it.
35
Quick Start Guide
2. In the Position/Size toolbar, highlight the number next to X: and type in 2.0. Press
ENTER on the keyboard and the line/symbol log is moved in the borehole view so
the left edge is two inches from the left edge of the paper.
3. Highlight the number next to W: and type 1.5. Press ENTER on the keyboard and
the line/symbol log is resized so that the log is one and a half inches wide.
You can position all items using the same method.
Spacing Objects
Log items can be positioned relative to one another with the Arrange menu
commands. To position the depth log relative to the line/symbol log:
1. The line/symbol log should be to the right of the
depth log. If the line/symbol log is to the left of the
depth log, click on the depth log. Hold down the left
mouse button and drag the depth log to the left of
the line/symbol log.
2. Select both the depth log and the line/symbol log.
There are two ways to select multiple items in the
log pane:
Click on the frst log. Press the SHIFT key on the
keyboard. While holding the SHIFT key down,
click the second log. Both logs are highlighted.
In the Object Manager click the name of the
frst log. Press the CTRL key on the keyboard.
While holding the CTRL key down, click the name
of the second log. Both logs are highlighted.
3. Click the Arrange | Space Objects | Left to
Right command.
The line/symbol log remains in the fxed location. The
depth log is moved so that the right edge of the depth log bounding box is at the same
location as the left edge of the line/symbol log bounding box.
The Arrange | Space Objects | Right to Left command can be used when selecting
the line/symbol log and the zone bar log to move the zone bar log to the immediate
right of the line/symbol log.
Editing Line/Symbol Log Properties
Each object has unique properties that can be changed. Line/symbol logs can change
the column that is being displayed, the scaling, the line, fll, and symbol properties,
The Space Objects command
removes the spaces between
adjacent objects to maximize the
space available in the log view.
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Strater
add labels, and add a background grid behind the line/symbol log. To change the line/
symbol log properties:
1. Click on the line/symbol log in either the Object Manager or in the plot window
to select it.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Display Properties tab.
3. Click the next to Line Properties to open the line properties section.
4. To increase the line thickness, highlight the value next to Width
and type a new value, such as 0.02 inches. Press ENTER on the
keyboard to make the change.
5. To open the fll properties section, click the next to Log Fill
Properties.
6. To fll the curve to the left of the line with a blue color, make
sure that the Display Log Fill option is set to Left.
7. Click the black color next to Foreground and select blue from the
color list. The Pattern is automatically changed to solid and the
log is flled to the left.
8. To open the symbol properties section, scroll down and click the
next to the Symbol Properties section.
9. Highlight the zero next to Symbol Frequency and type 1. Press ENTER to show a
symbol at all points in the table.
10. To set label properties, click on the Label tab.
11. Check the box next to Show Label to display labels.
12. To reduce the number of labels, click the next to Layout.
13. Highlight the number next to Frequency and type 2. Press ENTER on the keyboard
and every other label is displayed.
14. Click the word Center next to Offset Types and select User Defned
from the list.
15. Highlight the value next to X Offset and type 0.150. Press ENTER
on the keyboard and the labels are moved to the right side of the
symbols.
Editing Zone Bar Properties
Zone bar logs can change the column that is displayed, add labels,
change line and fll properties, and add grid lines behind the log.
Normally, the fll is controlled by a scheme, which is discussed in the
next section. To edit the zone bar log:
1. Click on the zone bar log in the Object Manager or in the log
pane to select it.
2. To display the name of the lithological layer in each zone on the
Display fll,
symbols, and
labels on the line/
symbol log.
Display labels
and colors in the
zone bar log.
37
Quick Start Guide
zone bar, click on the Label tab.
3. Change the Show Label option to Show Label With Fill. The labels are added to the
display.
Editing Schemes
Schemes are an important part of Strater. Schemes provide a mechanism to defne
drawing properties, such as line, fll, and symbol properties, from a table value. Once
a scheme is created, it can be used in many logs, cross sections, and other projects.
This avoids the need to duplicate work. Schemes are not used in all log types, but they
are used in several, including the zone bar log. Schemes are required for lithology,
percentage, and well construction logs. Schemes are optional for bar, classed post,
post, and zone bar logs. Scheme properties can be edited from any view by clicking
the Draw | Scheme Editor command or click the button.
A zone bar log uses a scheme to relate data table information to interval block
properties, such as fll color or fll pattern. When you created this log, Strater
automatically created a basic, default scheme to fll the log with random colors. To edit
the scheme connected with the zone bar log:
1. Click on the button to open the Scheme Editor.
2. On the left side of the Scheme Editor, click the next to
Lithology: Lithology Keyword. The fve scheme items are displayed
below the scheme name.
3. Click the Jasperoid item. The item properties are displayed on the
right side of the Scheme Editor. Set the fll properties to any
desired pattern and color you wish. For instance, you may click
next to Pattern and select the BIF image.
4. Select the Granite item and set different fll properties. For
instance, click next to Foreground and set the color to a dark
green. Click the solid fll next to Pattern and select a diagonal
cross fll pattern.
5. Continue changing the properties for each of the remaining items
until the fll properties for all fve items have been changed.
6. Click OK and the Scheme Editor closes. The scheme properties
are automatically applied to the zone bar log.
Note that the scheme item names are case-sensitive. If you were to
change Granite to granite in one cell in the table, the scheme item
properties would not be displayed for that interval.
Change the fll
properties for
each item in the
scheme.
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Strater
Lesson 4 - Creating and Editing Drawing Items
The header and footer panes typically contain information about the company,
borehole, etc. Most of this information is static; however, some of the information
can change depending on data changes. You can create a variety of objects such as
rectangles, lines, and text to display information anywhere in the borehole view, map
view, or cross section view windows.
Creating Text
To add text to the borehole view:
1. Click the Draw | Text command or click the button.
2. Move the cursor into the borehole view. Click the left mouse button when the
cursor is above the depth log in the header pane.
3. The Text Editor opens. Type Depth (feet).
4. Click OK and Depth (feet) appears in the location where the mouse was clicked.
5. Press ESC on the keyboard to end drawing mode.
6. Click on the text. A bounding box appears. You can click and drag the text to move
the text to the desired location.
7. With the text selected, highlight the number next to the Points option in the Font
section of the Property Manager.
8. Type a new size value and press ENTER on the keyboard to make the change.
Creating Linked Text
Linked text shows information that changes with the borehole being displayed, such
as location information, depth, driller name, or page number. Linked text is derived
from a table or borehole view property setting. So, when the data changes, the text
automatically updates.
1. Click the Draw | Linked Text command or click the button.
2. Near the top left of the header section, click to add linked text. The default linked
text object, the borehole ID, appears.
3. Click a second time below the DH-1 text. Another DH-1 appears.
4. Press ESC on the keyboard to end drawing mode.
5. Click on the frst DH-1 in either the Object Manager or in the header pane.
6. In the Property Manager, click on the Linked Text tab.
7. Next to Prefx, type Borehole ID: . Press ENTER on the keyboard and the text
appears to the left of the borehole ID number.
8. Click on the second DH-1 text in either the Object Manager or in the log pane.
39
Quick Start Guide
9. With the linked text box highlighted, click the Borehole Name next to the Linked
Text Type option in the Property Manager. Select Current Page from the list. The
page number is displayed.
10. Next to Prefx, type Page: . The contents of the linked text box changes.
Aligning Text
There are several ways to position objects, including text boxes, in Strater.
Click and drag objects to new locations.
Click the Arrange | Align Objects command to automatically position objects
relative to other objects.
Click the Arrange | Space Objects command to control spacing between objects.
Use the Position/Size toolbar to manually and precisely position objects.
To align the linked text objects:
1. Select the frst linked text box by clicking
on the Linked Text 1 object in the Object
Manager.
2. Press and hold the CTRL key on the keyboard.
3. In the Object Manager, click on Linked Text
2.
4. Click the Arrange | Align Objects | Left command. The text blocks are now
horizontally aligned along the left edge of the text.
5. Click on the Text 1 object in the Object Manager.
6. Press and hold the CTRL key on the keyboard.
7. Click on the Scale Bar - Au object in the Object Manager.
8. Click the Arrange | Align Objects | Middle command. The depth text and the
scale bar are now vertically aligned.
Creating a Legend
Legends can be added to explain information contained in a log,
such as the zone bar log. To add a legend:
1. Click on the zone bar log to select it.
2. Click the Draw | Legend command or click the button.
3. Click on the borehole view where the legend should be
located. The legend can appear in any of the panes. After
clicking, the legend automatically appears.
Align text to create a more organized
layout for the borehole.
Add a legend to
explain items
displayed in the
borehole view.
40
Strater
4. Press the ESC key on the keyboard to end drawing mode.
The legend can be edited in the Property Manager to show fll properties, symbol
properties, or both. The options can appear in multiple columns and with the text on
the left or right side. The online help has additional information about formatting the
legend in the Advanced Tutorial book.
Lesson 5 - Changing Boreholes
It is very easy to change boreholes in Strater. As mentioned earlier, the tables can
contain data for more than one borehole and the project can reference more than one
table.
Changing All Logs to a New Borehole
In our example, the Lithology and Depth tables both contain DH-1 and DH-2 in the
Hole ID column. You can easily change all of the items in the borehole view from DH-1
data to DH-2 data. To change the borehole:
1. To display the View Properties in the Property Manager on the View tab:
Click the View | View Properties command,
Click in the white space in the log pane,
Click the button, or
Click on the view name in the View Manager.
2. Click DH-1 next to ID Filter and select DH-2 from the list. The borehole log items
and linked text change to refect the DH-2 data.
Changing One Log to a New Borehole
To change only one log to a different borehole:
1. Click on the log that should be changed, such as the zone bar log.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Base tab.
3. Click the well name next to ID Filter and select the appropriate borehole name,
such as DH-1. The zone bar log automatically updates to show the new boreholes
data.
When changing only a single log, only the selected log changes to the new data. In
this case, the depth log, line/symbol log, and linked text continue to show the DH-2
data. Only the zone bar log shows the DH-1 data. The borehole view tab and the
ID Filter in the Property Manager show -Multi- to indicate that multiple logs are
displayed in this borehole view.
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Quick Start Guide
Lesson 6 - Creating a Map View
A map view can represent each of the wells in a collars table as a symbol on a map.
Each well in the collars table is displayed as a separate symbol. Wells can be edited as
a group or individually. The map also contains a set of four axes, that can be edited
individually. Maps can add base layers, additional well layers, or well selector lines.
Opening a New Map View
New map views in an existing project are created by clicking the File | New | Map
View command or clicking the button.
Displaying the Well Locations
In the new map view, wells can be displayed based on information in the collars
table. A collars table can be imported using the File | Load Data command or can be
imported when creating the well map.
1. Click the Map | Create Well Map command or click the button.
2. In the Open Collars File dialog, select the Example Data.xls fle and click Open.
3. In the XLS Import Options dialog, select the Collars sheet and click OK.
4. In the Specify Worksheet Column Defnitions dialog, make sure that Specify
Column Header Row is checked and click Next.
5. In the Specify Data Type and Column Positions dialog, set the Hole ID,
Starting Depth, Ending Depth, Elevation, Easting, and Northing columns to the
appropriate columns and click Load. The two wells appear on the map.
The well map is displayed with the default properties. Because only two wells are
visible, the wells are located at the extremes of the map limits. Both wells contain
different settings.
Changing the Well Properties
All of the well properties can be edited. To make changes to the well symbol and add
well labels:
1. Click on the Wells 1 object in the Object Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Label tab.
3. Check the box next to Show ID to display the well name. By default, the name
appears below the symbol.
4. Next to Show Table Column, click on the word [None] and select Elevation from
the list. This displays the elevation of the well below the well name.
5. To change the symbol, click on the Symbol tab.
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Strater
6. A scheme can be used to display wells or all symbols can be the same. Uncheck
the box next to the Use Keyword Scheme option to use a uniform symbol.
7. To change the symbol, open the Symbol Properties section by clicking the next
to Symbol Properties.
8. Change the Symbol by clicking on the existing symbol and selecting the desired
symbol from the list.
Changing the Map Properties
The map properties control the size of the map and symbol, line, and font properties
for all of the objects in the map. To change the limits and scale of the map:
1. Click on the Map 1 object in the Object Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Scale tab.
3. To use different scales in the X and Y directions, uncheck the box next to
Proportional XY Scaling.
4. Set the Length (Page Units) to 7 inches for both the X Scale and Y Scale by
highlighting the existing value and typing 7.0. Press ENTER on the keyboard to
make the change. Creating a map that fts nicely within the page boundaries is
important if you are going to insert the map view in a borehole view or cross
section view because the entire map view page boundary is inserted.
5. Click on the Limits tab.
6. Check the box next to Use Data Limits to have the limits controlled exactly by the
objects in the map.
7. Click the Fit All button to expand the limits to include all of the text associated with
the wells.
Adding a Well Selector Line
A well selector line is required to create
a cross section. Wells are selected in the
order that they should appear in the cross
section with the furthest left well in the
cross section selected frst on the map. To
connect wells:
1. Click the Wells 1 map layer.
2. Click the Map | Add Well Selector
command or right-click on the map and
choose Add | Well Selector.
3. The cursor changes to . As the
cursor approaches a well, the well
name appears in a foating box. This makes
The wells and well selector line are
displayed in the map view.
43
Quick Start Guide
selecting the right well easier. Click on the frst well, DH-1, to select it.
4. Click on each additional well in the order that the logs will appear in the cross
section. Click on DH-2 next.
5. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard or double-click on the last well to end the
current well selector line.
6. Press ESC on the keyboard to end selector mode.
Lesson 7 - Creating a Cross Section View
Now that the well selector line is displayed, a cross section can be created. A cross
section view represents each of the wells selected in a map view. Each selected well is
displayed as a zone bar or lithology log in the cross section view. Wells are connected
with layers, representing the zones.
Opening a New Cross Section View
New cross section views in an existing project are created by clicking the File | New |
Cross Section View command or clicking the button.
Displaying Wells in the Cross Section
To add the wells on the well selector line to the cross section view, click the Cross
Section | Create Cross Section command. Because only a single well selector line
has been created, this well selector line is used for the cross section.
Editing Cross Section Properties
Some properties control options for the entire cross section, such as layer labels, well
headers, and distances between wells.
1. To add layer names, click on the Layers object in the Object Manager.
2. In the Property Manager, click on the Layers tab.
3. Check the box next to Show Layer Labels and the layer names are automatically
displayed.
4. To add well headers, click the Cross Section | Add Well Headers command. The
well name and symbol are automatically added to the header pane.
5. To display distances between wells, click the Well Header 1 object in the Object
Manager.
6. In the Property Manager, click on the Distance tab.
7. Check the box next to Show Distance. The distances displayed are in map units.
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Strater
The map view can be inserted into the cross section by clicking the Draw | Insert
Map View command. After the map view appears, you can click on it and drag it to
the desired location. To edit the inserted map view, edit the original map view. The
inserted map automatically updated.
Reshaping the Cross Section Connections
The lines connecting wells in the cross section can be edited. Currently, two pinchouts
are shown connecting toward the bottom of the cross section. To separate these
layers:
1. Click anywhere on the cross
section to enter reshaping
mode. For instance, to edit the
Granite pinchout, click on the
Granite pinchout on the left side
of the cross section.
2. Because the Granite and Basalt
pinchouts share a common
central node, you can separate
the two pinchouts by using the
SHIFT key. Hold the SHIFT key
down on the keyboard and drag
the right most node toward the
left side of the cross section.
3. Click on the Basalt pinchout
on the right side of the cross
section.
4. Hold the SHIFT key down
on the keyboard and drag the left most nodes toward the right side of the cross
section.
5. Continue editing the cross section until all of the layers have the desired shape.
6. Press ESC on the keyboard to end reshape mode.
Refer to the Reshape page in the Drawing Objects book in the online help fle for
additional information on using the reshape command.
Lesson 8 - Saving Information
When you have completed the project, you can save the fle to a Strater fle or a
template fle. Strater fles save the schemes, borehole views, cross section views,
and map views to the fle. The data is also saved in the fle. Templates save the same
information, but without the actual data. If you are using the demo version, the save
command is not available. To save the fle:
The cross section shows the two wells and layers in the
cross section pane. The well names, distance between the
wells, and the inserted map view are in the header pane.
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Quick Start Guide
1. Click the File | Save As command.
2. Set the Save as type to Strater Files (*.sdg) or to Strater Template Files (*.tsf).
3. Type a File name.
4. Click Save and the fle is saved.
Printing the Online Help
The online help topics may be printed. You can print a single topic, a section of the
table of contents, or all topics in the table of contents. Open the online help by clicking
the Help | Contents command in the Strater window.
Printing One Topic
To print one topic:
1. Click the topic you want to print.
2. Click the button.
3. If the Contents page is open in the help navigation pane, the Print Topics dialog
appears. Select Print the selected topic and click OK.
Printing One Book
To print one book, the tutorial for example:
1. Click the Contents tab on the left side of the help window.
2. Expand the Strater 3 book and click on the Tutorial book.
3. Click the button.
4. The Print Topics dialog appears. Select Print the selected heading and all
subtopics and click OK. All the topics included in the Tutorial book are printed.
Printing the Entire Help File
To print all of the topics in the help fle table of contents:
1. Select the top-level book in the help book, Strater 3.
2. Click the button within the help window.
3. The Print Topics dialog appears. Select Print the selected heading and all
subtopics and click OK. All the topics included in the online help table of contents
are printed. WARNING: Printing the entire help fle takes hundreds of letter-sized
sheets of paper and is very time consuming to print. There is no table of contents
or index printed with the fle.
46
Strater
Getting Help
The quick start guide is a quick way to learn about the basics in Strater. There are
also other sources of help for Strater.
Online Help
Extensive information about Strater is located in the online help. Click the Help |
Contents command to access the online help. You can navigate the online help using
the Contents, Index, Search, and Favorites tabs on the navigation pane to the left
of the topic page.
Context-Sensitive Help
Strater also contains context-sensitive help. Highlight a menu command, window
region, or dialog and press the F1 key to display help for the highlighted item. You may
also access context-sensitive help by pressing SHIFT+F1 or clicking on the button.
Then, click on a menu command, toolbar button, or screen region to view information
specifc to that item. The help window appears with additional information.
In addition, most dialogs contain a help button. Click the button in a dialog title
bar to open the help topic for the displayed properties. To open help topics for the
specifc item highlighted in the Property Manager, click on the item in the Property
Manager and press the F1 key on the keyboard.

Internet Resources
There are several internet help resources.
Direct links to the Golden Software home page (www.GoldenSoftware.com), the
Strater product page, frequently asked questions, and the knowledge base are
available by clicking Help | Golden Software on the Web.
The Help | Feedback commands send a problem report, suggestion, or
information request by email directly to Strater technical support.
Click the Forums button in the online help to post a question or comment in our
public support forums.
Click the Knowledge Base button in the online help to search for an answer in our
frequently updated knowledge base.
Browse newsletter articles on our website at www.GoldenSoftware.com/newsletter.
Watch the training videos on our website at
www.GoldenSoftware.com/support-central.shtml.
Read through our blog items at http://www.GoldenSoftware.com/blog.
47
Quick Start Guide
Technical Support
Golden Softwares technical support is free to registered users of Golden Software
products. Our technical support staff is trained to help you fnd answers to your
questions quickly and accurately. We are happy to answer all of your questions
about any of our products, both before and after your purchase. We also welcome
suggestions for improvements to our software and encourage you to contact us with
any ideas you may have for adding new features and capabilities to our programs.
Technical support is available Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain
Time, excluding major United States holidays. We respond to most technical questions
within one business day. When contacting us with your question, have the following
information available:
Your Strater serial number (located on the CD shipping cover, in the download
directions, and in the Help | About Strater dialog)
Your Strater version number, found in Help | About Strater
The operating system you are using (Windows XP, Vista, 7, or higher)
Whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit Strater program and operating system
If you encounter problems with Strater, you are welcome to send an email message
to Golden Software using the Help | Feedback | Problem Report command. This
message is delivered directly to StraterSupport@GoldenSoftware.com. Report the
steps you perform when the problem occurs and include the full text of any error
messages that are displayed. You are welcome to attach a .ZIP fle (10 MB maximum)
containing the .SDG fle that illustrates the problem or contact technical support if you
have very large zipped attachments to send.
Contact Information
Telephone: 303-279-1021
Fax: 303-279-0909
Email: StraterSupport@GoldenSoftware.com
Web: www.GoldenSoftware.com (includes FAQs, knowledge base, support forum,
training videos, newsletters, blog, downloads, and more!)
Mail: Golden Software, Inc., 809 14
th
Street, Golden, Colorado 80401-1866, USA
48
Strater
E
ellipse 25
example fles 4
F
F1 key 46
FAQs 3
fax number 47
feedback 46
font 3
forums 46
full users guide 3
function logs 24
G
general steps 5
Golden Software on the web 46
graphic examples 4
graphic log 24
H
help 3, 46, 47
contents 3, 45
feedback 46
online 45
help button 46
help fle 46
hole ID 13
Index
3 minute tour 4
B
bar log 22
bitmaps 25
blog 46
bold text 3
borehole view 4, 16
C
check for update 2
class post log 23
complex text log 23
contact information 47
contents 46
context-sensitive help 46
creating logs 24, 33
crossplot log 22
cross section view 20, 43
D
data 1, 32
delete object 10
demo 31
depth log 22
disk space 2
docking 12
documentation 3
drawing objects 25
49
Quick Start Guide
I
information request 46
install 2
internet help 46
italic text 3
K
knowledge base 3, 46
L
legends 26
line/symbol log 22
linked text 26
lithology log 24
loading data 32
logs 1, 21, 22, 23, 24
M
mailing address 47
manager 6, 9, 12
docking 12
object 7
property 6, 7
view 7
map view 17, 41
memory 2
menu 3, 7, 8
menu bar 6, 7
metafles 25
monitor resolution 2
multiple boreholes 1, 13
N
new features 2
O
object manager 7, 9
online help 45, 46
opening Strater 32
order objects 10
P
percentage log 23
phone number 47
polarity bars 22
post log 23
print help 45
print tutorial 45
problem report 46
property manager 6, 7, 11
purchase guide 3
Q
quick start 5
quick tutorial 4
R
RAM 2
rearranging managers 12
rectangle 25
rounded rectangle 25
50
Strater
U
uninstall 3
update 2
user interface 6
users 1
users guide 3
using Strater 5
V
version number 47
videos 46
view manager 7, 8
view types 12
W
well construction log 24
well map 18, 41
well selector 19, 42
windows 12
Z
zone bar log 22
S
sample 4
save 44
scale bar 26
schemes 1, 27
serial number 32, 47
starting Strater 32
status bar 6, 7, 8
suggestions 46
support forums 3, 46
symbol 25
system requirements 2
T
tables 13, 14
tabs 7
tadpole log 23
technical support 47
telephone number 47
template 4, 29
text 25
three minute tour 4
title bar 6, 7
toolbars 6, 7, 8
tour 4
tutorial 31
print 45
Customer Service Resources
Before calling, please check the following available resources as your question may
already be answered.
Business Hours
Technical Support:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Mountain Time
Product Sales:
Online orders available 24 hours, 7 days a week with 2 business hour delivery
Golden Software Contact Information
www.GoldenSoftware.com
StraterSupport@GoldenSoftware.com
phone: 303-279-1021
fax: 303-279-0909
Registration:
Register online at www.GoldenSoftware.com or fax or mail the Registration
Form.PDF, located in the main directory on the CD
Knowledge Base:
www.GoldenSoftware.com/activekb or in the Strater program using the
Help | Golden Software on the Web | Knowledge Base command
Forums:
www.GoldenSoftware.com/forum or in the Strater program using the
Help | Contents command and click on Forums
Frequently Asked Questions:
In the Strater program using the Help | Golden Software on the Web |
Frequently Asked Questions command
Tutorial:
Complete the tutorial section in this quick start guide or in the Strater
program using the Help | Tutorial command
Online Help:
In the Strater program using the Help | Contents command
Support Videos:
www.GoldenSoftware.com
Golden Software, Inc.
Stratigraphically Superior
Well Log, Borehole & Cross
Section Plotting Software
www.GoldenSoftware.com Q
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