CoViz Groups
An often-overlooked feature of the Data Registry (DR) is the ability to make groups into which numerous data items, of a similar Data Type, can be referenced. In some ways, DR groups are similar to subdirectories in a file system (although the DR often simply stores references to data locations, rather than the data itself).
A new group can be created under any Data Type in the DR by right-clicking on that Data Type and choosing Add New Group. Sub-groups can also be added to existing groups—thus making a group hierarchy. Once a group is made, items can be added to it in the normal way. Items can also be dragged from elsewhere in the DR, and dropped into the group. When importing certain external file types (for example when importing multiple SeisWorks faults in a single operation) groups are created automatically to store the collection of resulting items.
An additional option—only available to groups—is Add Files To Group. This will open up the Windows® or Linux® file palette and allow multiple files to be selected. All of the selected items will be added to the DR group, and be given default DR names in the process. Furthermore entire directories can be dragged and dropped from the Windows⁄Linux desktops into the DR. This operation will create a new group in the DR populated with the contents of that directory—including sub-groups for any subdirectories. This ability to add multiple files in a single operation is one of the fastest ways to populate the DR.
Simple demonstration of groups and sub-groups used for well paths, showing the appearance in the DR and in the Viewer.
Once created, an entire group can be loaded into the Viewer by simply double-clicking on that group in the DR. The group will display as a single, expandable ″node″ in the File Selection list of the Viewer—thus providing an easy way to organize the files loaded into the Viewer. Manipulations can then be applied to the group items individually, or to the group as a whole. For example, if the group contains numerous horizon grids, then by applying a slicing operation to the group, then all the grids will be sliced in the same way, but with far less effort than manipulating each separately.