C3D - accidentally moving a surface ***how to prevent?***

[EngineeringSam]

OK I've got another puzzler...

... why does C3D allow you to move the surface object in the x,y,z direction even though your breaklines remain in the same location?

Additionally, it becomes disassociated from all objects that created (ie breaklines). What benefit does moving the surface and disassociating it from breaklines give to the designer?

Why would AutoCAD not lock the origin (x,y,z location) of the surface object?

I guess what I am looking for is a solution that allows me to lock the surface in its position but still allow for me to design and add objects to it (ie if I lock the surface object I cannot add breaklines to it or update the contours unless I lock it).

Anyone out there have a solution??? Or, thoughts on this matter?

[tcorey]

Set it to a Surface Style that has all components turned off. See the Display tab of the Surface Style editor.

You won't be able to select it (other than specifically selecting it through Toolspace), so you won't accidentally move it. You can still add data to it and edit its properties.

[EngineeringSam]

Thanks Tim. I understand I can create a no display style. The problem is that when designing you want to see the changes you have made and how that effects the model. Having it turned off defeats that ability.

I guess it's more of a gripe... why can't they code it so that the surface object is locked at all times and when you select "add breakline to surface" it is programed to unlock the surface, add the object, then lock again. There should be no reason that the surface is movable outside of moving breaklines.

I was really hoping that there was some special button or trick I was unaware of 😕

[tcorey]

That's all I can come up with. Locked is locked and I have never considered that it should only be locked to AutoCAD commands and not Civil 3D commands. T'would be cool.

I took a a quick look and AutoLISP doesn't show a property or method that tells you if the surface is locked. It's hard to unlock a building when there are no doors.    😉

You could probably accomplish this with a .NET language.