Problem with Aligning/Distributing groups with sub-layers without destroying layer grouping

[kanashii]

The picture below is a screen capture illustrating the issue that I am facing.

I would like to align, distribute or center "Main Frame A" and "Main Frame B" along with all it's sublayerd contents without destroying the layering separation.

I know I can just select all objects in A, group and then I will be able to align the object to artboard, distribute etc. etc. without any issues.  However, the second I group, everything will collapse into the top sublayer in an irreversible manner (second picture).  If I ungroup after I do my needed operation, illustrator just throws everything back out into the main layer.

I've tried looking for solutions, but as far as I can tell, work arounds (like "save selection") for other similar issues do not work here.

Thanks.

Objects with sublayers for internal separationGrouping pulls all objects out of individual sublayers and into one single sublayerUngrouping does not restore the objects to their original sublayers

[Simmer1]

Hi,

Select all the Objects hold down alt/option and drag this will duplicate everything as they are in the first frame.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Sim

[Simmer1]

you can then Group the duplicated shapes and align them to the artboard

[kanashii]

So your suggestion is:

1. Make a duplicate of "Main Frame A" (and all it's contents - call it A'), likewise with "Main Frame B".

2. Group A' and let it destroy the layering (likewise with B').

3. Align, distribute A' and B' however I wish.

4. Move the original A and B (still with proper layering) to match the A' and B' positions.

5.Get rid of A' and B' (optional)

Is my understanding above correct?

[Monika Gause]

Can you please elaborate what you want to do with them?

Does select > Same > Fill not work for you?

And then align or distribute?

You know how to work with Diect selection and group selection tools?

[kanashii]

Hello Monika,

I'm trying to align the two objects (A, B) to the horizontal midline of the artboard (without disrupting the relative position of the objects inside or the layering structure).

I'm trying to distribute the two objects (A, B) so that they are a set distance apart again without disrupting the internal stuff.

I know that if I just group A and I just group B I can align to artboard midline and I can distribute the two objects without issue, but the internal layering structure is completely destroyed (all circles, squares and rectangles become on the same layer)

[Monika Gause]

Can you show that please?

Also: I suspect that your actual objects are more complex? Can you show that as well?

[kanashii]

So first 2 pictures show you what I'm trying to do and how I can achieve it by grouping and breaking my sublayer groupings.  The 3rd picture shows my layer panel and how everything has jumped into one layer.

Original objects, not aligned or distributed evenlyDesired outcome: Both objects aligned to artboard midline, even spacing between edges and each other.But to achieve that, I needed to group A and group B which collects all sublayer objects into one layer.