Bug or feature? Cannot copy layer definition...

@Doc Maik said: "… In case I actually wanted to copy the object, the search starts."

Absolutely not.

Open the Layers panel. Make the layer you want to "copy over" the active one. Draw out e.g. a new rectangle and cut/paste that to your target document. Before make sure that option Paste Remembers Layers is turned on in the Layers panel.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

@Doc Maik said: "… What I didn't know until a few minutes ago, though working with ID for over 10 years now: the objects in a layer are shown page specific. "

Hi @Doc Maik ,

no, the objects in a layer are not shown "page specific".

They are shown spread specific.

All the pages of a spread plus the pasteboard around the pages of that active spread.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

@Doc Maik said:

"Guys, please, it's about the layer definition, not an object. In PS the layer definition is also not a bunch of pixels. I know all the things you suggest but they a) require to have an object and b) that object must be assigned to the layer definition and c) I would have to remove the object afterwards."

@Doc Maik said: "… I know all the things you suggest but they a) require to have an object and b) that object must be assigned to the layer definition and c) I would have to remove the object afterwards."

Hi @Doc Maik ,

exactly. You nailed it.

One could script this. And this is the only way to be as accurate as possible in regards of the copied layer's features:

ignoreWrap
label
layerColor
lockGuides
locked
name
printable
showGuides
visible

In principle this little script can do it when two documents are open and the source document is the front most, the active document and the layer in question is the active layer:

var sourceLayer = app.documents[0].activeLayer;
var targetLayer = app.documents[1].layers.add();
targetLayer.properties = sourceLayer.properties;

Note 1: Synching layers is not an option with the InDesign book features.

You could enforce this with synching parent pages if there are objects assigned to all layers, but the issue with this is the stacking order in the synched documents…

Note 2: If you copy/paste an object from document to document and the option is enabled, that the object's layer should remain after pasting, still some properties of the new layer you'll see in the target document could be changed. E.g. the color of the layer, that the layer is not printable (suddenly it is) etc.pp.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

1. In the layer panel menu activate paste remembers layer.
2. Put any object on this layer.
3. Cope or cut this object.
4. Paste this object in a new document. 

The layer is pasted.

Which object(s) from which page(s) would you like to load - and to what page(s) in the destination document? 

Too many variables. 

Layers in Photoshop are different - they are objects, bunch of pixels and a lot of properties. In InDesign layer is just a property of the object - not an object itself. 

If you want to copy layer's "definition" - you need to copy any of the objects on this layer. 

Remember to select "Paste Remembers Layers":

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/layers.html

It could be easily scripted - you need to give more details.