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southwestform
Inspiring
October 21, 2018
Question

Copying layers from one file to another?

  • October 21, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 32050 views

I want to copy a layer and a whole bunch of sub layers from one file to another, and have it maintain the same structure when copied to the new file. I tried copying and pasting, though that didn't work. How can I do this?

Thanks.

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    4 replies

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    El9000
    Participant
    January 15, 2024

    Just to add that, Found it useful that ....
    Once you've copied the objects Ctrl+A+C (Windows) residing on your Original Ai file layer, and ensured 'Paste Remember Layers' is clicked in the Target Ai file Layer's drop down, Ctrl+F also seems to paste the copied objects in the same coordinate position on a new layer with the Original Ai layer name in this Target Ai file. 

      jharbieh
      jharbieh
      Participant
      June 13, 2022

      "Paste Remembers Layers" need to be checked on the target file. Layer copy is not supported, however, object copy is. Select the objects on the layer you want to copy: Unlock if layer is locked. Use the multi-select tool. Copy + A + C (Windows) from the source layer followed by a Copy + V on the target. The paste operation will create a new layer with the same name as the source.

       

      The above is on Illustrator on Windows. 

        Larry G. Schneider
        Community Expert
        Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 21, 2018

        With which of the three files in the zip archive are you trying to work? If it is the .ai file, then select all by clicking to the right of the circle of the main layer and you should see a large blue square. This indicates that the top layer and all sublayers are selected for copying.

        S
        southwestformAuthor
        Inspiring
        October 21, 2018

        What about with this one, where the .AI file has blank layers and nothing to select, though I want to copy the blank layers to a new file?

        Download

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 21, 2018

        You can't copy layers. You can copy objects.

        Larry G. Schneider
        Community Expert
        Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 21, 2018

        Is Paste Remembers Layers turned on (checked) in the Layer panel flyout (upper right of panel)?

          S
          southwestformAuthor
          Inspiring
          October 21, 2018

          I just tried that and it is not copying to a new file. I am shift clicking all of the object/sub layers and choosing copy, though when I paste into a new file it is only copying the top most main layer.

          I am specifically working with this .AI template file and trying to copy this layer and sublayer to a new file.

          Download

          Thanks.

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