Creating and Managing Layers

 

Layering enables you to edit only the desired portions of your document, without touching the areas you want to preserve. The Layers panel can be displayed using the Panels command on the View menu.

 


The panel contains the following tools and information:

 

Layer List

A list of all the layers in the document.

 

View Indicator

Shows which view is currently being shown. See Working with Views for more informa­tion.

 

Selected Layer

Displays the currently selected layer. Any items drawn or pasted are placed on this layer. To place items on a different layer, select that layer first.

 

Visible Indicator

Checked, the layer is visible on screen.  Unchecked, the layer is hidden.

 

Selection Indicator

Checked, items on the layer can be selected in the workspace. Unchecked, items cannot be selected.

 

Locked Indicator

Checked, the layer is locked. Items cannot be edited in any way. Unchecked, items are available for editing (unless the item itself is locked).

 

Printed Indicator

Checked, the layer will print.  Unchecked, the layer will not print.

 

 

Creating a New Layer

  1. Select New Layer from the Layer menu in the Views & Layers panel. The layer is added to the list.

 

Renaming a Layer

  1. In the Views & Layers panel, select the layer you want to rename.

  2. Select Rename Layer from the Layer menu in the Views & Layers panel. A Rename Layer dialog box is displayed

  3. Enter the new name for the layer and click OK.

 

Deleting a Layer

  1. In the Views & Layers panel, select the layer you want to delete. Items on a deleted layer are also deleted.

  2. Select Delete Layer from the Layer menu in the Views & Layers panel. The layer and all associated items are deleted.

 

Warning: When working with a layered document it is important to keep track of which layer is currently selected. Changes, such as edits or the addition of new items, only apply to the selected layer. If you want to edit the items in a different layer, you must select that layer.  While a layer may be visible (visible indicator checked), you cannot add new items to a layer without first selecting it.