AutoCAD Civil 3D

[#1]

can u paste design surfaces into a surface that has been data shortcutted using civil3d 2012?

[#2]

Yes, but not directly. Paste the d'ref'd surface into a new surface, then paste the design surface into that new surface. (Of vice-versa, depending on which surface you want to have priority). 

[#3]

No. But you can paste the Drfe'ed surface into a new surface and then paste the design into that same surface. Or,jsut paste the Dref surface directly into the design sutface and moce it to the top of the edits order.

[#4]

I am working on building multiple surfaces to incorporate into a data shorcutted lidar surface.  At different stages I need to paste these design surfaces into the lidar surface to become existing ground, and then deisgn more surfaces off the new existing ground, etc.. for about 10 stages for a tailing basin.  I was hoping I would not have to create 10 seperate data shortcutted surfaces, but the suggestions made do not seem to be working, by moving definition of paste it still will not trump the data shortcut surface in the design drawing.  So do I have to go into original lidar surface and paste design surfaces and create a seperate data shortcut surface for each stage?  Any help greatly appreciated.