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Participating Frequently
April 13, 2017
Answered

How can I delete a layer within an action without be prompted to click an ok dialog button?

  • April 13, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 2535 views

I am trying to batch process some files with Illustrator and I have a step that creates and then deletes a layer. When I try to run my batch this step causes a dialog to open which is forcing me to manually click on an ok button to allow the layer to be deleted. How can I prevent this from happening?

I have already turned off the dialog option for the action (and all of the other dialogs are being suppressed) except for the confirmation of the layer being deleted.

Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Mike Sofa

The dialog box is prompted by the presence of artwork on the layer. It can be suppressed by ensuring that the layer is empty.

Assuming that the layer to be deleted is active, the action should go something like this:

1. Lock others (from the Layer Panel fly-out menu)

2. Select all

3. Cut, or delete

4. Delete "Layer name"

5. Unlock all layers

Steps 4 and 5 are also from the Layer Panel fly-out menu. You may need to include an "Unlock all" step before step 2 to clear the layer.

2 replies

Mike SofaCorrect answer
Inspiring
April 13, 2017

The dialog box is prompted by the presence of artwork on the layer. It can be suppressed by ensuring that the layer is empty.

Assuming that the layer to be deleted is active, the action should go something like this:

1. Lock others (from the Layer Panel fly-out menu)

2. Select all

3. Cut, or delete

4. Delete "Layer name"

5. Unlock all layers

Steps 4 and 5 are also from the Layer Panel fly-out menu. You may need to include an "Unlock all" step before step 2 to clear the layer.

lazloalotAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 13, 2017

Thanks. Deleting the objects from the layer before deleting the layer did the trick.

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 13, 2017

Which version of Illustrator are you using?

lazloalotAuthor
Participating Frequently
April 13, 2017

Illustrator 2017 21.0.0