InDesign CS3 Lesson 3 Working with Layers

By default, a new document contains just one layer (named Layer1). You can rename the layer and add more layers at any time as you create your document. Placing objects on different layers lets you organize them for easy selection and editing. In the Layers panel, you can select, display, edit, and print different layers individually, in groups, or all together. If you can’t see the Layers panel, choose WINDOWS > Layers. NOTE: Each layer has a different color associated with it. This is also the color associated and used to highlight object frames and paths.

Working with Layers InDesign's layers are transparent planes on which you place page items. Layers are a way to organize your publication, but there's far more to InDesign's layers than just organization—layers give you control over what parts of your publication display and print, and whether they can be edited or not. Layers affect an entire document—not individual pages or page spreads. Layers created in one document do not affect layers in another document. There's no technical limit to the number of layers you can have in a publication; it's possible to make hundreds or more of them if you have enough memory. But just because you can do that doesn't mean that you should. Too many layers can make a publication difficult to manage. Layers are especially useful when you're working with pages containing slow-drawing graphics, when your publication features complicated stacks of objects, or when you want to add a nonprinting layer of comments or instructions to a publication.

Working with Layers ADDING a new layer Way #1 Click the Layers panel menu > select New Layer Way #2 Click the New Layer icon. DUPLICATING a layer Drag the layer onto the New Layer icon. This creates a copy of the layer, as well as all objects on that layer. DELETING a layer Way #1 Select the layer to delete. (shift+click to select multiple layers.) Way #2 Click the Delete Layer icon. If there are items on the layer, an alert box appears. New Layer Delete Layer

Working with Layers When you see a PEN icon appear to the right of the layer name, that indicates that that layer is the target layer and anything you import or create is placed on this player. When you see a EYE icon appear to the left of the layer name, it lets you hide or display any layer at any time. If the “eye” is showing, the objects on that layer are visible. If the “eye” is not showing, the objects on that layer are not visible. “Eye” icon is showing – text is displayed. “Eye” icon is NOT showing – text is NOT displayed.

Working with Layers When you have used the Selection tool to click on an object on the screen, a dot appears to the right of the layer name. This indicates that the selected object belongs to this layer. You can move objects from one layer to another by dragging this dot between the layers in the panel. In this window, the a text object is selected. Note that there is a BLUE dot on the object when it is selected and also a blue dot to the right of the layer name. Blue is also the color assigned to that layer. In this window, the a graphic object is selected. Note that there is a RED dot on the object when it is selected and also a red dot to the right of the layer name. Red is also the color assigned to that layer. You can move an object from one layer to another layer by clicking and dragging that dot to a different layer.

Working with Layers If you see the Lock icon showing to the left of the layer name, it means that the layer is locked. You can view the layer but you can’t select any object on that layer. Renaming a Layer Way #1 Double-click the name of the layer to open the Layer Options dialog box. Way #2 Click the Layer Dialog box button, and then select “Layer Options…”.

Working with Layers Right click on a layer to view this popup dialog box. NOTE: You can decide how much or how little to print by using selecting/deselecting the “Print Layer” option.