Section 82. Working with Layers


#82. Working with Layers

By default, every time you create a new document, it contains a single layer named "Layer 1." Each new object you create occupies a successively higher position in the layer's stacking order. If you want, you can create additional layers, and then use them for organizing objects. For example, you could create one layer called "Text" and use it for all of the text frames in a document and another layer called "Graphics" that holds all graphic elements. You could then show, hide, or print each layer individually or both layers together.

To create a new layer, open the Layers palette (Window >Layers), and then choose New Layer from the palette menu. In the New Layer dialog box (Figure 82a), enter a Name for the layer and use the controls to specify layer attributes.

Figure 82a. Use the controls in the New Layer dialog box to specify attributes of a new layer.


After you create a new layer, it's displayed in the Layers palette (Figure 82b) as the topmost layer in the list, which means it's the topmost layer in the layer stacking order. It's also the selected layer, indicated by the Pen icon. The small, square icon to the right of the Pen icon indicates the layer of the selected object. New objects you create with the drawing tools are placed on the selected layer. If you want to add new objects to a different layer, select the layer in the palette, and then add the objects.

Figure 82b. The Layers palette displays a list of a document's layers and includes controls and commands for working with layers.


Paste Remembers Layers

If you check Paste Remembers Layers in the Layers palette menu, objects you cut or copy retain their layer when you choose Edit > Paste. If you paste objects into a different document, layer names are also copied and added to the Layers palette if they don't exist in the target document. If Paste Remembers Layers is unchecked, all cut or copied objects are pasted onto the selected layer.


Two buttons are displayed to the left of each layer's name:

  • Click the button on the left to alternately show and hide a layer.

  • Click the button on the right to alternately lock or unlock a layer. You can't select objects on locked layers.

You can also use the controls in the Layers palette to:

  • Delete layers by selecting them, and then clicking the Delete (Trash) button.

  • Rearrange layers by dragging selected layers up or down within the list. The layer at the bottom of the list is the lowest layer in the stacking order.

  • Change the layer of the selected object by dragging the small square on the right side of the palette to a new layer. If nothing is selected, the square is not displayed.

The Layers palette contains additional commands for working with layers, including Delete, Hide Others, Lock Others, Merge, and Delete Unused Layers.

Some other details you should know about layers:

  • If you create a group that contains objects that are on different layers, all objects are moved to the layer of the topmost object and placed consecutively in the stacking order.

  • If you place an object on a master page, it's placed at the bottom of the stacking order of the selected layer. If you want a master object to be placed in front of other objects, put it on a layer that's in front of the object's layer.



Adobe InDesign CS2 How-Tos(c) 100 Essential Techniques
Adobe InDesign CS2 How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques
ISBN: 0321321901
EAN: 2147483647
Year: N/A
Pages: 142

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net