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Known Participant
Oct 11, 2026 3:06 PM UTC
Answered

pathfinder, make mask, etc moves originals off layer

When performing certain operations, ie pathfinder operations and masking and I believe clipping, all the original objects are removed from their layers and moved to the current layer.  Can illustrator just copy these to a new layer or the current layer without removing the originals from their layers?

    Monika Gause
    Monika GauseCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 12, 2026 1:50 PM UTC

    You are combining elements and forming groups. And those cannot live on multiple layers. For clipping masks there is a solution: 

     

    1 reply

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Oct 12, 2026 1:50 PM UTC

    You are combining elements and forming groups. And those cannot live on multiple layers. For clipping masks there is a solution: 

     

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