Creating a multi-page pdf with layers in each page

Question

I have a 5-page pdf document. 4 pages will need layers that can be turned on or off in Reader.

Each page seems to be doing what I want, however, when I open the5-page document in Reader, only the last page works in layers.

I'm reading other discussions in the forum about this, but there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, or it seems like it can't be done.

However these questions and answers were posted several years ago.

This is a very rough idea of what I'm trying to accomplish and not a finished product. Ran these mock-ups quickly, simply to see what program will accomplish my desired end result.

sharp_hands16B8 · Accepted Answer

I tested this this morning and I am not having any problems producing the desired result on my end.

I made an Illustrator file with 5 artboards. There are three layers to the file, and each artboard has objects on each of the layers spanning the 5 artboards. When I say it as a PDF, leaving the checkbox for generate acrobat layers ON, then all the layers and pages are accessible inside of acrobat. These were my settings.

If you're still having problems, consider making each page it's own PDF when you save for output. Then, use Acrobat to import the remaining pages and see if that solves your problem.
AI Test-layered.pdf - Google Drive

If you want to check my PDF file, you can download it here<<<<<

Hope that helps,

Mark Heaps
lifebypixels

sharp_hands16B8 · Answer

The layers panel is global, across all artboards. So Layer 1 or 2 on any artboard is irrelevant. There is only one Layer 1, or Layer 2, and so on. So when you bring your drawings in that you are tracing over you can either paste them in when copied from another program, or just use File > Place to choose the scans of your drawings on your machine. Then, using the Selection Tool (The black Arrow) you can move them onto the artboard of your choice. Once they are placed on that artboard, they are considered a part of that artboard. From there if you look at your Layers panel. (Window > Layers) you can see where they are in the stacking order. That way you can have all your drawings on a Layer 1 and then you can create a new layer, and trace them.

Hope that helps.

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