Merging/Flattening Layers

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 19, 2021
2 replies
2565 views

I want to reduce the file size of a SVG image by making a copy of my Illustrator document and merging all the layers. But how do I do it?

I've checked out several references, but none of them work for me. I can't find a "Flatten Artwork" or "Merge Layers" option. Clicking on layers while holding down the Command or Shift key doesn't work, either. On top of that, I have a lot of layers that I can't click to begin with. There's no way to select them.

Has the process changed in Illustrator 2021?

How to

Correct answer Monika Gause

No, they have various colors.

It's an image of the globe, with many different layers for the sea, many more layers for the continents, etc. I just thought it ought to reduce the final file size if I could somehow compress all of those layer into one bigger layer.

Layers don't produce filesize, paths and anchor points do. You have a lot of objects and a lot of colors: your file will be huge.

S

SudiptaG

Participant

Probably, not exactly what you need. But I found this article may help you on merging layers in AI.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Please read the complete thread. Everything in your article has already been discussed in this thread.

Larry G. Schneider

Community Expert

Have you tried "Flatten Artwork" from the Layer panel flyout (upper right)?

G

GeobopAuthor

Known Participant

"upper right"

Ah, that's where it was hiding. 😉

I applied it, and it did reduce the file size. I noticed that I still have lots of layers, though. More precisely, I have lots of sublayers that have been consolidated into one layer. Is that the way it's supposed to work? I thought I would wind up with just one layer.

Larry G. Schneider

Community Expert

You could also Select all the remaining Layers and use Merge Selected from that same menu or use Collect in New Layer from that same menu.

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