Creating template layers


    Create a template layer whenever you want to base a new illustration on an existing piece of artwork--for example, when you want to trace over existing artwork or build an illustration from it. (See Tracing artwork.) You can neither print nor export a template layer.

    Once you've made a template layer, you can choose whether to show or hide it with the Show Template and Hide Template command.

To create a template layer:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Choose New Layer from the Layers palette menu, or double-click the name of an existing layer. In the Layer Options dialog box, select Template, and click OK.
    • Select a layer listing to be a template, and choose Template from the Layers palette menu.
    • Choose File > Place, select the file you want to place, click Template, and click Place. A new template layer appears below the current layer in the palette. (See Placing artwork.)

    The eye icon eye icon is replaced by the template icon template icon , and the layer is locked.

To turn a template layer into a regular layer:

  1. Double-click the name of the template layer in the Layers palette.
  2. In the Layer Options dialog box, deselect Template, and click OK.

To show or hide a template layer:

  1. Choose View > Show Template or View > Hide Template.