#82. Working with LayersBy 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.
Two buttons are displayed to the left of each layer's name:
You can also use the controls in the Layers palette to:
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:
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