Adobe Creative Cloud Design Tools All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 8: Using Layers

In This Chapter

• Working with layers
• Using layers for a selection
• Changing the stacking order of a layer
• Moving and cloning objects to another layer
• Hiding and locking layers

This chapter shows you how helpful layers can be when you're producing complex artwork. Layers are similar to clear pages stacked on top of your artwork: You can place content (text, shapes, and other objects) on a layer, lift up a layer, remove a layer, hide and show layers, or lock a layer so that you can't edit its content. Taking advantage of the Layer feature can help you:

• Organize the painting (stacking) order of objects.
• Activate objects that would otherwise be difficult to select by using either the Selection or Direct Selection tool.
• Lock items that you don't want to reposition or change.
• Hide items until you need them.
• Repurpose objects for artwork variations. For example, a company's business cards use the same logo and company address, but the name and contact information change for each person. In this case, placing the logo and company address on one layer and the person's name and contact information on another layer lets you easily create a new business card by just changing the person's name and contact details.

Creating New Layers

When you create a new Illustrator document, you automatically start with a single layer. To understand how layers work, you create a new file and follow some steps to create new layers and place objects on them:

1. 1. Choose FileNew, select ...