Problem Data Ref multiple profiles from the same alignment

[mike_g]

I'll try to keep this simple:

dwg A has the parent alignment 1 and a data ref is created for it

dwg B has alignment 1 data ref'ed in, and profile 1.0 is created and a data ref is created for it

dwg C is created by copying dwg B which already has alignment 1 data ref'ed in and profile 1.0. Profile 1.0 is renamed to 1.1 and revised and a data ref is created for it

-at this point we have two different road profiles or options designed for the same alignment

dwg E is created and the intent is to overlay both profiles so it has alignment 1 data ref'ed in, but only one profile is available at this point to be data ref'ed.

Profile 1.0 is only available to be data ref'ed in to dwg E, profile 1.1 does not show up in the shortcut menu. All dwg's and profiles are named differently. When I double back to re-create the data ref for profile 1.1, it either does not show up, or it thinks it is still profile 1.0 and has a check mark next to it. Furthermore, within dwg E, if I delete the data shortcut (in the short cut menu) to profile 1.0 it remove it and profile 1.1 shows up in its place without me having to add it...what is even weirder is that profile 1.0 continues to show up in dwg E after it was original data ref'ed. Seems like a circular loop is happening where I have to delete one and the other takes its place, but both still have a dynamic link and are able to be synchronized.

[m_kingdon]

I think the issue is the "dwg C is created by copying dwg B which already has alignment 1 data ref'ed in and profile 1.0. Profile 1.0 is renamed to 1.1 and revised and a data ref is created for it"

I think copying and renaming objects and expecting them to be recognised as new independent objects doesn't work as you'd expect.  I'd recommend you avoid copying drawings and objects, instead reference via Dref and create new profiles.  If you want to create a new profile but use an existing profile as a starting point I would try exporting the previous profile as a LandXML and import it into the new drawing.  Or just draw it by hand again and copy the values from the table.

[mike_g]

My guess is the same as yours.

The dilemma on my end is the second design set is often the third or fourth iteration, so it's not just two different designs we are talking about, it can be 4, 5, or 6 different iterations we are looking at. There are also multiple alignments, so redrawing or starting a new drawing is often VERY cumbersome when you have several miles of 15 or 16 different roads to look at.

I'll try some experimenting, but it's a bummer it doesn't want to work this way.

[m_kingdon]

A potential alternative would be to try using the data short editor, it is one of those standalone applications that is included in your Civil 3D installation that no many people know about.  You could view your data shortcuts for this project and see if you can spot the issue and rename some copied profiles here.