In the GaeaSynergy ecosystem, the integration between WinLoG and WinFence is a powerful way to transform raw borehole data into professional geologic cross-sections. By leveraging a unified database, WinFence can automatically interpret and connect stratigraphic layers across your project site with minimal manual effort.
Drawing the Path Line
The first step is defining the horizontal route of your cross-section. To create a new cross-section click on the New button on the Cross-Section toolbar. Then click the “Pencil Tool” to draw the path of the cross-section. To add boreholes to a section click on or very near the borehole. This will add the borehole to the new cross section. Then double click to end the section and click ”OK”.
On the New Cross-Section form enter a unique name for the cross-section and check that the boreholes and wells you want in the cross-section are selected.
Then select a style from the Style list. When you click “OK” you should see a cross-section.
Automatic Strata Generation
WinFence features built-in intelligence that can automatically generate strata based on your WinLoG data.
- Intelligent Correlation: When you select “Auto-generate” in Preferences the program analyzes the similarities in lithology symbols, thicknesses, and occurrence between adjacent boreholes.
- Snapping Methodology: The software uses a unique “snapping” approach where the boundary of one stratum is fixed to the boundary of another, ensuring a seamless and geologically sound connection.
The Importance of Unique Layer Names
For the automatic correlation to work effectively, your data entry in WinLoG must be precise.
- Unique Identifiers: Each distinct stratum in a well or borehole must have a unique layer name in WinLoG. WinFence uses these names as the primary correlation to create strata between wells and boreholes. The names themselves will not appear on the borehole and well logs when displayed. In WinLoG, the names also correspond to lithologic macros. By adding lithologic macros for each unique strata in a project the boreholes and wells will all look similar, but the automatic creation of the cross-section will be much more efficient.
- Strata Definitions: The strata that are automatically created in WinFence are derived from the layer names and lithologic symbols defined in WinLoG.
- Correlation Errors: If layer names are inconsistent or duplicated incorrectly across different boreholes, the program may fail to identify matching strata, leading to gaps and incorrect strata in your cross-section.
Editing Strata Boundaries
Once your section is generated, you can refine and edit the strata boundaries to reflect your interpretation of the subsurface geology.
- Editing an Existing Strata: Editing and snapping boundaries in WinFence is a straightforward process once you understand the toolset. Click here to view a post dedicated to editing strata boundaries.
- Adding a New Strata: Beyond the strata automatically created from the WinLoG data, additional strata can be added. Click here to view a post dedicated to adding strata to a cross-section.
Understanding Strata
Once your section is generated, you can refine its visual presentation to meet reporting standards.
- Strata Types: A variety of strata can be represented on a cross-section; such as layers, lenses, intrusions, and faults. Click here to view a detailed post on strata types and their uses.
- Strata Styles: You can edit the color, pattern, and transparency of each stratum in a cross-section. Click here to view a detailed post on editing strata styles.
Pro-Tip: Master Automatic Correlation with Example Projects
To truly see the power of WinLoG and WinFence integration, the best place to start is with the GaeaSynergy Example Projects provided with your installation. These projects are professionally pre-configured to demonstrate how seamless data-to-drawing can be.
Open an example project like “Geoenvironmental”, open a borehole log and navigate to the lithology data entry screen. Pay close attention to the Unique Layer Names column (as highlighted in our guide’s infographic).
- Observe the Naming Convention: Notice how every layer—whether it’s “Upper Clay,” “Sandstone A,” or “Lower Till”—is named with surgical precision.
- The Snapping Secret: In these examples, you can see that the Unique Layer Name is the “glue” that tells WinFence exactly where one borehole ends and the next begins. If you change a single letter in one of these example names, you will see the Cross-Section “break” or lose its connection, proving just how vital consistent naming is.
Troubleshooting: Why Didn’t My Strata Generate Correctly?
If your cross-section appears blank or contains disconnected “islands” of soil layers, check these four common issues:
1. Inconsistent Layer Names
The most frequent cause of failure is a naming mismatch in WinLoG.
- The Fix: Ensure that “Sandstone A” in Borehole 1 is named exactly “Sandstone A” in Borehole 2. Even a trailing space or a difference in capitalization can prevent the Unique Layer Name correlation from “snapping” the layers together.
2. Discontinuous Path Lines
If your Path Line does not physically intersect the borehole locations on your project map, WinFence will not know which data to pull.
- The Fix: Re-draw your path line to ensure the line precisely hits the center of each borehole coordinate.
3. Gaps in Vertical Data
Automatic generation relies on continuous vertical data. If there is a “No Recovery” zone or an unlogged gap between two layers in WinLoG, the auto-correlator may stop at the gap.
- The Fix: Ensure all depth intervals are accounted for. If a layer is missing in one well but present in others, you may need to manually draw the “pinch-out” in WinFence.
4. Overlapping Layers
If two layers in a single WinLoG well have overlapping depth intervals (e.g., Layer 1 ends at 15ft, but Layer 2 starts at 12ft), the software will be unable to determine the boundary.
- The Fix: Audit your WinLoG data prep. Ensure all start and end depths for each Unique Layer Name are sequential and do not overlap.
5. Check Your Coordinate System
If your boreholes appear in the wrong order or at incorrect distances on the cross-section, the issue is likely in the GIS.
- The Fix: Verify that all wells in the project use the same coordinate system (UTM, State Plane, etc.). WinFence calculates the distance between boreholes based on these coordinates to scale the Path Line correctly.
6. Standardize Your Legend
If the colors or patterns for the same material (e.g., “Silty Clay”) look different across your cross-section, your WinLoG template might be inconsistent.
- The Tip: Use a global Library for your lithology symbols. When Unique Layer Names are mapped to a standardized library, WinFence will automatically apply the correct Strata Styles (colors and hatches) uniformly across the entire section.
5. Vertical Exaggeration Adjustments
If your cross-section looks “flat” or too “stretched,” you need to adjust the vertical scale.
- The Tip: Go to the Edit > Scales in WinFence. Adjusting the Vertical Exaggeration (e.g., setting it to 5x or 10x) can help highlight subtle stratigraphic changes that are difficult to see at a 1:1 scale.
Summary
Creating a cross-section in WinFence involves drawing a path line and utilizing the software’s ability to automatically correlate WinLoG data. This process relies heavily on using consistent, unique layer names in WinLoG to ensure “snapping” accuracy. Finally, administrators can refine the visual output by editing strata styles and manually adjusting boundaries for a professional finish.
Other Resources
How do I edit and snap boundaries in WinFence?
How do I add strata to a cross-section in WinFence?
What Are the Different Types of Strata in WinFence and How Are They Used?
How Do I Edit Strata Styles and Segments in WinFence?
Related Articles
- Creating Fence Diagrams in WinFence: A Complete Guide to Subsurface Visualization
- Visualizing Stratigraphy Across Sites: A Complete Guide to Subsurface Correlation and Interpretation
- How Do I Use Project Views to Display Cross-Sections in GaeaSynergy?
- How Do I Edit Strata Styles and Segments in WinFence?
- How do I Print or Export a Cross-section to a PDF in WinFence?
- How do I Add Strata to a Cross-section in WinFence?
- How do I Edit and Snap Boundaries in WinFence?