C3D 2014 Topo Surface with Points Embedded and Mystery Symbols

[mcloughlin]

In Civil 3D, we created a topographic surface from a set of points.  Came out very nicely, except that the point objects are visible and "embedded," i.e., somehow stuck in, the surface, such that if we try to turn the point layer off, the contours, etc., disappear also.  This results in a topographic map (see appended image) covered with Tiny Dots representing the points.

We do not wish to see, or have the clients afflicted by, these tiny dots, which are on the points layer.  We have never seen this before, and don't know how the visibility of these point objects has become integral to the surface.  As noted above, their layer cannot be turned off without rendering the surface invisible.  

Additionally, once the surface was created, three mysterious symbols (circled in white) appeared.  These symbols are not part of our symbol repertoire, and were not inserted on purpose; they simply appeared.  They are not associated with any point objects, but when they are selected, the entire surface including contours, etc., is also selected.  Consequently, they cannot be deleted without deleting the entire surface.  

So.  

1) Why have the point entities become "locked" into the surface so that we cannot hide them?

2) How do we make these point entities invisible without doing the same to the surface itself?

3) What is the meaning of the crossed square symbols that appeared in the drawing when the surface was created?

4) How do we eliminate these symbols without eliminating the surface itself, and prevent their appearance in future surfaces?

Many thanks!

[MikeEvansUK · Accepted solution]

Point visibility and layer is set by the surface style along with the contours, triangles and other items.

You can turn the points off or change the layer on the display tab under Plan settings.

Secondly the points displayed as a cross with square are non destructive points (see Surface Style Points tab for more details on types of surface points)

M