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Document Geek
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March 26, 2025
Answered

How to group objects on multiple layers and have them stay on their designated layers?

  • March 26, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 1277 views

I am doing prepress work where I need to step and repeat deisgns in a grid. However, the designs have objects on different layers (Print, Cut, Clear, White, etc). I need them to stay on these various layers. If I group the obejcts, they all get moved onto a single layer. 

 

Does anyone know of a plugin or workflow that can accomplish this?

Correct answer Jacob Bugge

Document Geek,

 

Based on a different (mis)understanding, you may like the Save Selection option in the Select dropdown, described here (just search for the term, no need to scroll),

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/selecting-objects.html

 

It starts with this:

 

With Save Selection, you can select multiple objects and save the selection for later use. You can then use this saved selection to move the objects together or change their appearance just like you'll do with a group object. However, unlike grouping, Save Selection selects the objects without bringing them all to the same layer.

 

 

4 replies

Participant
June 15, 2025

I understand you! I need the same tool, or same way to group objects and I need them to stay also in their particulary layer... I really think this is an important improve to Illustrator... Dont know how or where to upload this suggestion. For packaging desing this is a must! I can imagine for other issues also could be helpful!

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 15, 2025
Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Saved selections are very useful, but one possible issue with them in that specific case is that their saved state will not be bequeathed when duplicating objects that are bound to the saved selections.

 

And just a general note: Unlike InDesign, currently in Illustrator grouped objects do not remember their initial layer affiliation and thus cannot restore the original assignment when ungrouping them.

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Kurt, I was thinking in (the crude) terms of moving copies once (Transform ticking Copy or Alt/Option+(Shift)ClickDragging to snap), then using Ctrl/Cmd+D to repeat.

 

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Jacob BuggeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Document Geek,

 

Based on a different (mis)understanding, you may like the Save Selection option in the Select dropdown, described here (just search for the term, no need to scroll),

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/selecting-objects.html

 

It starts with this:

 

With Save Selection, you can select multiple objects and save the selection for later use. You can then use this saved selection to move the objects together or change their appearance just like you'll do with a group object. However, unlike grouping, Save Selection selects the objects without bringing them all to the same layer.

 

 

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

To be honest, I cannot remember having used the Save Selection option, but it is a good idea from Jacob.

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Not even in a previous millennium Ton?

 

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Try to check the "Paste Remembers Layers" option in the Layers panel.

Document Geek
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Thanks, but that doesn't work. I'm not pasting. I'm group. And grouping pbkects moves them all onto the same layer.

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2025

Don't group.

Just select the objects you need to duplicate and duplicate them with the option "Paste Remembers Layers"  on in the Layers panel. They will be duplicated on their own layer.