OK I've read the Book, looked in help files. There two things I need help with. 
#1
Audio track. Snare hit off a tiny bit. 
So I split the track both sides of the transient to isolate the hit,
Slip edit either side to make room. 
When I drag the clip back the proceeding clip disappears back to the last split point??
I can get it back by slip editing and dragging it back, but why does it disappear?
This also happens when I try to copy paste 1 measure, or any increment for that matter, into a  a one measure hole I make in a audio track. Even if I slip edit the space to make it bigger than one measure, the clips either side disappear?? This is a change for me from using 8.5 which didn't behave this way.. 
I opened the Lanes View and nothing is there as these tracks are all originally 1 long take. 
 
So is there something I'm not toggling that doing this. 
I tried the snap to grid settings. 
The move over and make room/ replace options 
Using Comping mode ( that really went sideways.. latter..) 
#2
And why can't you slip edit a track once you've added volume automation?? 
It seems I can't edit a track once I've added automation.
Is this all to do with take lanes ??  
 Another observation is the automation green line carries off way beyond the end of the song?? 

Check the drag and drop options http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Arranging.17.html
 
Check the Edit Filter, make sure it is set to Clips

scook
 
Check the Edit Filter, make sure it is set to Clips

Thanks Steve, yes I have always have the copy/ paste options set to "ask me every time" so I tried all possible setting in there. 
 
I have heard mention of this "Edit Filter" a few times now. I return to my DAW and proceed to look for it. It is not even mentioned in the help files or the documentation in the link you posted.  So if this is an important setting why is it so hard to find? 
Is it not an option in Studio I wonder? 
I do find the odd thing missing, like there is only one dithering option on export. Power 1 etc are missing. 
 

The Edit Filter is in the red box (illustration from http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Tutorial6.3.html )

 
 

OK I found it, but it's not labeled as such, and yes I use this from time to time and it is defaulted to Clips.. so anyways still not the problem. I guess it's just quirky behavior to be expected and yet another thing that worked smoothly in the pre X days that is now ,, well, quirky. 
 

FWIW, the Edit Filter has its own section in the online documentation:
http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Tools.03.html
 
It's the first X3 link using the search phrase "edit filter" from the CW home page, and includes a good overview of the different modes.