If I put custom handcode PHP stuff in my *.php file and then re-edit it in UD it will erase the hand code that I just put in the file.

Is there a way to have UD help in this area?
Basically it works like this. I get my page layout close to what I want. I put my hand code in which does some calculations on a couple fields.

If I then decide I want to move a field and open the php file in UD and then save it. The hand code I just put in will be removed when UD saves the file.

Is there anyway around this. It's a royal pain to remember to save a copy of your hand code all the time.

thanks for any advice

You need to turn off the rewrite code in your preferences. From the UD site view, go to EDIT-PREFERENCES and choose the Code Rewriting selection. Uncheck the box that says "Fix Invalidly Nested Tags...."