Using Layers, Symbols, and Styles > Using layers

 

Using layers

Layers separate objects in an illustration to make them easier to work with. Layers divide an illustration into discrete planes; this is similar to drawing an illustration's components on separate tracing paper overlays. By default, a new document contains three layers: Foreground, Guides, and Background. Importing and drawing occur on the current drawing layer, which is initially the Foreground layer. When a new layer is added, it initially becomes the default drawing layer; any content you create or import appears on that layer until you move the content.

The Layers panel is divided by a horizontal bar called the separator bar. Layers above the separator bar—generically called foreground layers—are printable. Those below the separator bar—background layers—do not print.

The Guides layer contains guide lines dragged from the ruler or entered manually, as well as paths that have been converted to guides. Objects on the Background layer are dimmed, and the layer appears by default below the separator bar, so it does not print. If you move the Background layer above the separator bar, objects on it do print.

Every object in an illustration resides on a layer; each layer can have multiple objects. You can edit only those objects on visible, unlocked layers.

By moving objects from one layer to another or rearranging layers, you can change how the objects overlay one another. Each layer maintains its own stacking order of objects. (See Arranging objects.) You can set preferences to control how objects can be moved between layers.

Artwork and its layered components