Copying layers from one file to another?

[southwestform]

I want to copy a layer and a whole bunch of sub layers from one file to another, and have it maintain the same structure when copied to the new file. I tried copying and pasting, though that didn't work. How can I do this?

Thanks.

[Larry G. Schneider]

Is Paste Remembers Layers turned on (checked) in the Layer panel flyout (upper right of panel)?

[southwestform]

I just tried that and it is not copying to a new file. I am shift clicking all of the object/sub layers and choosing copy, though when I paste into a new file it is only copying the top most main layer.

I am specifically working with this .AI template file and trying to copy this layer and sublayer to a new file.

Download

Thanks.

[Larry G. Schneider]

With which of the three files in the zip archive are you trying to work? If it is the .ai file, then select all by clicking to the right of the circle of the main layer and you should see a large blue square. This indicates that the top layer and all sublayers are selected for copying.

[southwestform]

What about with this one, where the .AI file has blank layers and nothing to select, though I want to copy the blank layers to a new file?

Download

[Monika Gause]

You can't copy layers. You can copy objects.

[mecdos]

make something in each layer and copy that. you can also make a script to read layers from one doc and create them on another

[tromboniator]

Does it not do what you want to save it as a template? File > Save as Template, then for the new one: File > New from Template…

Peter

[jharbieh]

"Paste Remembers Layers" need to be checked on the target file. Layer copy is not supported, however, object copy is. Select the objects on the layer you want to copy: Unlock if layer is locked. Use the multi-select tool. Copy + A + C (Windows) from the source layer followed by a Copy + V on the target. The paste operation will create a new layer with the same name as the source.

The above is on Illustrator on Windows. 

[El9000]

Just to add that, Found it useful that ....
Once you've copied the objects Ctrl+A+C (Windows) residing on your Original Ai file layer, and ensured 'Paste Remember Layers' is clicked in the Target Ai file Layer's drop down, Ctrl+F also seems to paste the copied objects in the same coordinate position on a new layer with the Original Ai layer name in this Target Ai file.