Retain layer structure for groups

[gregcook]

Would be a really great feature to keep layer structure, when grouping elements.
At the moment everything grouped automatically collapses into one layer.
The simplest way to explain it would be similar to having saved selection sets.

The benefits for grouping across layers include:
Managing different components/groups of design elements while retaining layer hierarchy
Keeping grouped colours or thicknesses or object types separate
Being able to transform a selection without losing layer order, and without losing that selection later.
Having visual layering and overlapping keep fidelity
Keep elements apart for animation(after effects) but grouped for control in illustrator

Please consider adding this as it would be very useful.
In my current workflow I group elements that have been sorted by layer, group to keep these together, make changes(size, position and artwork changes), then once all groups have been finalised, ungroup and sort into layers again. usually over complex artwork/designs/scenes.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Accepted solution]

You should post your request at the Adobe UserVoice and then ask others to vote for it.

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

[Ton Frederiks]

Acrobat has a feature named Optional Content Groups (OGC) which is used when Illustrator and CAD applications export "Layers". Unfortunately Illustrator ignores them when opening a PDF.  They differ from Illustrator layers, they are named combinations of objects. The same object can be part of mutiple Optional Content Groups. Supporting these would make it possible to retain layers in a group and make life happy for CAD user who would like to see their "Layers" in Illustrator.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Also, Photoshop has the ability to "group" layers but also to link them (sort of like a group without moving the layer positions). 

[Jacob Bugge]

Greg,

Until the feature request has been realized or till the end of days, whichever occurs first, for some tasks you may be able to:

1) Select each set of desired objects across Layers,

2) Use Save Selection in the Select dropdown and give it a name you can remember (if you have more),

3) Click the name of the selection in the Select dropdown when you wish to work on it.

[gregcook]

thats really great in the meantime yes

[Jacob Bugge]

Indeed, Greg.

It was actually designed as the solution to exactly what you are asking for, albeit an old and all but forgotten/little known one with limitations, like a number of other features that were new in the old days.

This one goes at least as far back as some time round the turn of the Millennium. I believe Ton can say how far.

[Ton Frederiks]

I am afraid I cannot remember the time of introduction. To be honest , I had forgotten all about it, but Jacob made me remember it a few years ago. 

[Jacob Bugge]

I am sure about Ai10 (2001), uncertain about earlier such as Ai8 (1998).