Target a Layer

The empty circle to the right of a layer name serves a very important purpose: When you click on the circle, you are targeting the entire layer. Change the layer's appearance and every object on that layer will have the same appearance. For instance, this applies if you have the layer targeted and then select options in the Appearance and Graphic Styles palettes or use options from the Effect menu, such as Brush Strokes. Once a layer has been targeted and a new appearance applied, the empty circle changes to a shaded circle.