Changing the stacking order of objects with the Layers palette


    The stacking order of artwork in the document window corresponds to the hierarchy of items in the Layers palette. Artwork in the top layer in the Layers palette is at the front of the stacking order, while artwork in the bottom layer in the Layers palette is at the back of the stacking order. Within a layer, objects are also stacked hierarchically.

    Note: You cannot move a path, group, or collective element to the top position in the Layers palette--only layers can reside at the top of the layer hierarchy.

To change the stacking order of objects using the Layers palette:

    Do one of the following in the Layers palette:

    • Drag the item's name in the palette and release the mouse button when black insertion marks appear in the desired position. Black insertion marks appear either between two other items in the palette or on the left and right edges of a layer or group. Items that are released over a layer or group are moved above all other objects in the item.
    • Click in the item's selection column (between the target button and the scroll bar), and drag its selection color box to a different item's selection color box and release the mouse button. If the item's selection color box is dragged to an object, the item is moved above the object; if it's dragged to a layer or group, the item is moved above all other objects in the layer or group.

To reverse the order of items in the Layers palette:

  1. Select the item listings whose order you want to reverse. (When a listing is selected, the item is highlighted in the palette.) The items must be at the same level in the layer hierarchy. For example, you can select two top-level layers, but you cannot select two paths that are in different layers.
  2. Choose Reverse Order from the Layers palette menu.

To move an object to a different layer using the Move to Current Layer command:

  1. Select the object you want to move. Its selection color box should display in the selection column of the Layers palette.
  2. To specify where you want to move the object, click the name of the desired layer (not its target icon or selection color mark) in the Layers palette.
  3. Important: The layer should be highlighted and display the current-layer indicator current-listing indicator . The object you selected in step 1 should still display its selection color box.

  4. Choose Object > Arrange > Send to Current Layer.
  5. Tip iconYou can also use the Cut and Paste commands to move artwork between layers. (See Pasting objects in front or in back of other objects.)