To Create Surface References

You can create a reference to an existing surface in a data shortcut or a Vault project. The surface reference is a lightweight read-only copy of the original, but it gives you access to surface data for other objects such as alignments and profiles.

Note: A surface reference has no data definition, but has masking and watershed analysis functionality.

To create a reference to a data shortcut surface

1. In Toolspace, on the Prospector tab, in Master View, ensure that the correct working folder is identified on the Data Shortcuts node.
2. Expand the Data ShortcutsSurfaces collection, right-click the desired surface, and then click Create Reference.

   The Create Surface Reference dialog box is displayed, in which you can optionally change properties of the reference surface, as described in the following steps.

3. In the Create Surface Reference dialog box, change the source of the reference by selecting a source in the Source Surface drop-down list.
4. Click to select a layer. For more information about layers, see Object Layer dialog box.
   Note: If you do not select a layer, the surface is placed on the current layer.
5. In the properties grid, click the Value column for the Name property. Enter a name for the surface.
   Note: To name the surface, click its default name. Enter a new name, or use the name template. For more information, see Name Template dialog box.
6. To change the style for the surface, select the Style property in the properties grid. Click in the Value column.

   The Select Surface Style dialog box is displayed. For more information, see About Surface Styles and Visualization.

7. To change the render material for the surface, select the Render Material property in the properties grid. Click in the Value column.

   The Select Render Material dialog box is displayed. For more information, see About Object Rendering.

8. Click OK to create the surface reference.

   The surface name is displayed in the Surfaces collection in the Prospector tree with a next to it.

To create a reference to a surface in a Vault project

1. In Toolspace, on the Prospector tab, in Master View, expand the Projects <project name> Surfaces collection, right-click the desired surface, and then click Create Reference.

   The Create Surface Reference dialog box is displayed, in which you can optionally change properties of the reference surface, as described in the following steps.

2. In the Create Surface Reference dialog box, change the source of the reference by selecting a source in the Source Surface drop-down list.
3. Click to select a layer. For more information about layers, see Object Layer dialog box.
   Note: If you do not select a layer, the surface is placed on the current layer.
4. In the properties grid, click the Value column for the Name property. Enter a name for the surface.
   Note: To name the surface, click its default name. Enter a new name, or use the name template. For more information, see Name Template dialog box.
5. To change the style for the surface, select the Style property in the properties grid. Click in the Value column.

   The Select Surface Style dialog box is displayed. For more information, see About Surface Styles and Visualization.

6. To change the render material for the surface, select the Render Material property in the properties grid. Click in the Value column.

   The Select Render Material dialog box is displayed. For more information, see About Object Rendering.

7. Click OK to create the surface reference.

   The surface name is displayed in the Surfaces collection in the Prospector tree with a next to it.