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Torin Inc
Torin Inc
Inspiring
April 29, 2017
Answered

Why does duplicating a layer sometimes add the word "copy" and other times not?

  • April 29, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1226 views

I copy and paste a lot, and I also duplicate layers, groups, etc a lot as well. I don't understand why AI sometimes appends the layer with the word "copy", and other times it doesn't. I want it to not append the word "copy", because afterwards I just have to go through and delete the word "copy" from each layer.

Why does it do it on some layers and others not?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer barbara_a7746676

When copying a layer, the word "copy" is always appended to the name of the layer and I don't know any way around that.

You could use this sequence:

  1. Click the circular target to the right of the layer you want to copy. That will select everything on the layer.
  2. Edit > Copy.
  3. Alt/Option click the new layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. A dialog will appear where you can name the new layer.
  4. Highlight the new layer.
  5. Shift-Control-V (or Shift-Command-V on Mac) to paste the copied items in the same position.

Using the Actions panel, you can record a repeatable Action that will automate these steps.

2 replies

Torin Inc
Torin IncAuthor
Inspiring
May 3, 2017

This sequence works sometimes, and others not. It's just so odd that the word "copy" is added only to some layers and others not. Same thing happens when I copy and paste or duplicate.

I can duplicate a large layer, with layers within, and some layers will add "copy" while others don't. There must be a valid reason to why this happens.

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community Expert
Community Expert
May 3, 2017

I think I know why, and it's a matter of terminology -- a true layer versus an object on a layer (which you might call a sub-layer).

If a layer is copied, Illustrator adds "copy".

If an object within a layer is copied, Illustrator does not add the word "copy".

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 29, 2017

When copying a layer, the word "copy" is always appended to the name of the layer and I don't know any way around that.

You could use this sequence:

  1. Click the circular target to the right of the layer you want to copy. That will select everything on the layer.
  2. Edit > Copy.
  3. Alt/Option click the new layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. A dialog will appear where you can name the new layer.
  4. Highlight the new layer.
  5. Shift-Control-V (or Shift-Command-V on Mac) to paste the copied items in the same position.

Using the Actions panel, you can record a repeatable Action that will automate these steps.

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