Surface xref linetype issue

[gsdice]

Hello there, I have an interesting issue. I've got a survey, specifically looking at the surface, as an xref. When I go into that xref and plot from it, all the linetypes look and plot correctly (image 1). When I xref it into a sheet and create a layout tab that is identical it looks fine (image 2), then I go to plot and all of a sudden all my linetypes plot continuous from the surface. Other linetypes as you can see still are correct but the surface is now solid.

Any suggestions? and thank you in advance

Greg

[Jay_B]

What version of Civil 3d?

Is your installation current with all available updates installed?

[g_k50]

Seems to me it might be something with the Plotter resolution.  Anyone else in the office have this problem?

Maybe the linetype was changed to continuous when the xref was attached or overlayed.

[rl_jackson]

This may seem a little silly but did you check MSLTSCALE PSLTSCALE and LTSCALE to verify they were all set to 1 in the file your XREFing too

[gsdice]

Windows 10, Civil 3D 2018. The software is up to date with the patch?

Thanks,

[gsdice]

Defiantly not the plotter. This is only on a couple projects we have. Also, I tired plotting to multiple different plotters including the dwg to pdf cad provides.

[gsdice]

All the variables are set correctly. One of the first things I checked.

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

have you tried xref'ing to a different dwg?  That would, at least, isolate the problem to the base file or the xref itself.

[CADvisers · Accepted solution]

Set your surface style to have linetypes set as you want.  Not BYLAYER or BYBLOCK.

Just ran into the same issue.  UGG.

It takes on the same linetype that your xref is located on.    C'mon Autodesk!!!!!!!!!!!

[gsdice]

Yup, that fixed it. Kind of a stupid problem to have from autocad.

[CADvisers]

Yes,  Very Stupid when it has worked for the last 10 years as it should.  So any current projects that are displaying a surface as an xref is now not going to plot correctly without additional time and effort.

[rl_jackson]

I wouldn't call that a problem for Autodesk the civil object acts exactly like a block and always has. Here I would say it is your workflow. You should have been data referencing the surface and not XREFing the surface. If your bring in an existing conditions survey then you should have 2 drawings. One is the line work the other is the break lines and and points. Now for the later if you use a survey database. You can basically query the figures and points to creat the surface without ever actually bringing the physical points and figures in the drawing that is the surface. This is the optium workflow for large surfaces and it make surface creation possible in about 3-4 clicks. Then save your suface and create your data reference

[CADvisers]

I will agree with the separation of existing line work and surface files.  However, the existing information should not change if done properly and therefore should be a static display as an xref, unless needed in only certain drawings as a referenced surface.  Having a reference surface into multiple drawings requires duplication of surface labels.  Totally inefficient and not the best workflow.  

This indeed is a program problem, an overlooked change in how a surface object prints as an xref after 12 years.  It maintains color from the object style but the linetype style is overwritten based on the layer that the xref is placed on.  I've been involved "with and along side" autodesk and the Civil 3D project team since the inception. 

Trust me, I know it's a problem.

[LyleHardin]

I'm having the same problems. Contours show up grey and hidden in Modelspace and Paperspace in both Civil 3D file and the file I'm xreffing the Civil 3D file into. When I print, they are black and continuous. I have tried setting the contours, in the surface, to grey (253) and hidden, but it still didn't help. I've tried printing / publishing from ACAD and Civil 3D in both 2018 and 2020 versions. It's all the same. I have the latest patches and everything. 

[SteveMazza4062]

This has been a vexing problem for a few years, as I recall.  The solution I use is to use Data Shortcuts to bring the surface into the sheet file as a reference.  (Some call this a "D-Ref" as opposed to an "Xref".)  Then you can label the surface in the sheet file and apply whatever surface style and contour interval you want.  The main limitation to this approach is that data shortcuts are hard-coded, so there's not really a "relative path" option.  So if you have to deal with files that move around a lot, or people rename your folders from time to time without asking, then you will sometimes have to repath and repair the data shortcuts.

[CADvisers]

This was actually fixed a few years ago without having to dref the surface but just xref the drawing the surface belongs in as a display enitity.

[SteveMazza4062]

It doesn't look fixed to me, at least not in Civil 3D 2018 (version 12.0.956.0).  I verified it with a profile and a surface just now.  The linework in the surface and in the profile should plot in a dashed linetype.  When xref-ed, they plot in continuous linetype, regardless of the layer settings for the contour lines (or profile lines).

Now, in Civil 3D 2019, this appears to be fixed.  But if people are working in Civil 3D 2018, they may still have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Can you please tell me step by step how to do this? I can't seem to figure it out. My site plan with plots just fine, but the xref I have of my building on site layers arent plotting as they do when I plot directly from the xref. Please let me know if you can help! Thanks

[SteveMazza4062]

If it's just building linework you are having trouble with, then it's a different issue from the surface xref issue described in this thread.

If you are having trouble with building linework, compare these items between the two drawings:

- Plot style set on active layout

- Property settings in Layer Manager (color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, and plot style if using .STB files) for the layers in question

If there is any difference between the two drawings, that is probably the cause of your issue.  Let us know.