Using Layers - Adobe ILLUSTRATOR CS2 User Manual

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS2 278
User Guide

Using layers

About layers
When creating complex artwork, it's a challenge to keep track of all the items in your document window. Small items
get hidden under larger items, and selecting artwork becomes difficult. Layers provide a way to manage all the items
that make up your artwork. Think of layers as clear folders that contain artwork. If you reshuffle the folders, you
change the stacking order of the items in your artwork. You can move items between folders and create subfolders
within folders.
The structure of layers in your document can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. By default, all items are
organized in a single, parent layer. However, you can create new layers and move items into them, or move elements
from one layer to another at any time. The Layers palette provides an easy way to select, hide, lock, and change the
appearance attributes of artwork. You can even create template layers, which you can use to trace artwork, and
exchange layers with Photoshop.
About the Layers palette
You use the Layers palette to list, organize, and edit the objects in a document. By default, every new document
contains one layer, and each object you create is listed under that layer. However, you can create new layers and
rearrange items to best suit your needs. To display the Layers palette, choose Window > Layers.
By default, Illustrator assigns a unique color to each layer in the Layers palette. The color displays in the layer's
selection column when one or more objects within the layer are selected and also displays in the selected object's
selection column. In addition, the same color displays in the document window in the bounding box, path, anchor
points, and center point of the selected object. You can use this color to quickly locate an object's corresponding layer
in the Layers palette and you can change this layer color to suit your needs.
When an item in the Layers palette contains other items, a triangle appears to the left of the item's name. Click the
triangle to show or hide the contents. If no triangle appears, the item contains no additional items.
A B C D
Layers palette
A. Visibility column B. Edit column C. Target column D. Selection column
The Layers palette provides columns to the left and right of the listings. Click in a column to control the following
characteristics:
Controls whether items are visible or hidden. The eye icon indicates that the item is visible; a
Visibility column
blank space indicates that the item is hidden.
Controls whether items are locked or unlocked. The lock icon indicates that the item is locked and
Edit column
cannot be edited; a blank space indicates that the item is unlocked and can be edited.
Target items in order to apply effects and edit attributes in the Appearance palette. The double ring
Target column
icon (either or ) indicates that the item is targeted; a single ring icon indicates that the item is not targeted.