1Overview
The bulk surface commands prepare each source object, allocate unique ADACIds, clone or build the required geometry and process assets with shared attributes. They intentionally skip global forms and property-block insertion to keep large imports manageable.
Existing model-space surface source objects should each become an individual Contour, SpotHeight or Breakline asset.
2Prepare and create surface assets in bulk
Keep source families separate so each command can derive the correct geometry and elevation.
Choose and select the source type
Use one compatible source family per operation.
- Run the matching
ADACBulk*command. - DCAD: the compact selection panel opens automatically; left-click every intended source string, then select Done.
- Each left-click is accepted immediately. There is no Source Box grid, column choice, Pick menu or press-Esc-to-continue step; selecting Cancel before any pick cancels the macro.
- Contours require constant-elevation open strings; Spot Heights require one-point strings; Breaklines require open strings with at least two points.
- DCAD skips invalid or already-attributed elements without changing them.
Set shared specific attributes
Elevation is derived from source geometry where applicable.
- ACAD/BCAD: complete the common specific values offered by the bulk form.
- DCAD: Contour and SpotHeight receive Status = Existing and their Elevation from native geometry; Breakline uses its selected live geometry.
- Confirm the operation when the active product presents an attribute form.
Run and monitor
Prepared geometry is processed with cancellation support.
- Allow unique ID allocation and source cloning/preparation to finish.
- DCAD creates separate native assets in the profile destination model and leaves every accepted source object unchanged.
- Use Cancel only when the processing form offers it.
- Do not edit the same source objects concurrently.
Review created and failed counts
Failures are reported without hiding successful assets.
- Read each error line.
- Note the source object and reason for each failure.
- Close the result only after recording any source geometry that needs correction.
3Bulk source requirements
Each surface type has different preparation logic even though the processing pipeline is shared.
| Feature or choice | Current behaviour |
|---|---|
| Contours | Requires valid contour linework with a single elevation and assigns derived elevation.DCAD creates a separate native asset, leaves the selected source unchanged and defaults Status to Existing; mixed-Z contours are rejected. |
| Spot heights | Accepts point/block sources in ACAD/BCAD and one-point strings in DCAD; elevation is derived from source geometry.DCAD defaults Status to Existing. |
| Breaklines | Every product clones prepared linework; DCAD creates the native asset in the profile destination model and leaves the selected source unchanged.Each accepted source receives its own ADAC identity. |
| Bulk safeguards | Reserves IDs, releases unused IDs after failure/cancellation and removes failed cloned geometry where possible.Partial operations do not intentionally consume every prepared identity. |
4Before you begin
- Load a profile containing Surface Contour, SpotHeight and/or Breakline definitions.
- Use model-space source geometry with valid Z/elevation data.
- Back up the drawing before a large bulk operation.
5Product differences
The task is shared where possible, but selection, interface integration and model operations follow the host shown below.
Uses AutoCAD source cloning, model-space transactions and cancellable processing.
BCAD uses the corresponding BricsCAD/Teigha bulk implementation.
Each macro opens a compact direct-selection panel automatically. Left-click each compatible source and select Done; every click is accepted immediately, with no Source Box grid, column choice, Pick menu or Esc step. Cancel before any pick cancels the macro. The command creates one new native asset per accepted source while retaining the source object. Contour requires a constant-elevation open string, Spot Height a one-point string and Breakline an open string with at least two points. Contour and Spot Height derive elevation and default Status to Existing; invalid or existing infrADAC elements are skipped.
6Troubleshooting
The DCAD source-selection panel does not continue
Left-click each required source string and select Done. Do not press Esc or wait for a Source Box grid, column selection or Pick menu.
A contour is skipped
Confirm it is a supported line/polyline in model space and all vertices share one elevation.
No spot sources are valid
Use points or blocks with a usable Z/insertion elevation. Check whether the block's elevation attribute or position is zero/invalid for the project.
The operation was cancelled with cloned objects visible
Allow the command cleanup to finish, then run audit and inspect the layer. Restore the backup if a host interruption prevented best-effort cleanup.