Selecting layers from objects without 1000 clicks?

[lewisv123]

I have been all over various forums and can't find the answer to a very specific question. It might be out there, but I can't find it if it is.

I am working with some AI files that have some very large numbers (1000s) of paths in a single layer (based on downloaded map data via AutoCAD). These paths  are not listed in any logical order in layers panel (e.g. 5m contour lines (in red) and 1m contours (in grey) are all scrambled together).

I need to do a lot to the image (e.g. creating and applying styles, blends using knockout and isolation), so I need to gather items into appropriate layers and sublayers. However, due to the large number of paths I can't (haven't time to) manually select all the items that need gathering. So I need a shortcut. I can't be the only person with a similar situation so I'm surprised I can't find a workaround/tool for this. Sorry if this is already out there or there is an obvious answer!

The imported paths luckily have formatting, so I can use Select > Same command to select similar items. So far so good. BUT, this selects the paths on the drawing but does not select the "layer items" in the layer list . By this I mean that in the layer panel, for each item there is a little square showing it's selected, but the row is not highlighted(see first picture below), meaning that you can't use the "Collect to layer" command. Instead I have to manually scroll down the layer panel ctrl and/or shift clicking the rows of the selected paths (see second pic).

So.. in summary the question is: Is there a simple way, once items are selected within the drawing via Select Same, to then select the relevant rows in the layer panel?

An automatic command, or a workaround would be great.

[tromboniator]

I think the simplest way might be to Select > Same, then group the selection. Then you could move the group to a new layer, or click on the first member of the group and shift-click the last in the Layers panel to highlight them.

Peter

[lewisv123]

Thanks Peter - I like the simplicity - wish I'd though of it myself! I only wish I'd asked the question sooner...

This would probably work well in similar scenarios too - like if you have a load of similar objects in different layers, and they need gathering together.

Lewis

[tromboniator]

Right you are. You're welcome, Lewis.

[lewisv123]

Peter

Thought you might be interested to see the response from Jet below - a very simple but slightly obscure way to directly manipulate the layers of the selected objects.

Still useful to be aware of the option to group though.

Cheers

Lewis

[KShinabery212]

I have to agree grouping paths is the best solution.  Then naming those groups.

I have never tried bringing anything in from AutoCAD.  Primarily as it is a tool my dad would use and not so much me.

But I feel your pain.  I have downloaded massive templates for Illustrator where all the pieces were lumped in the same folder with no names.  So annoying!  But that is how the person set it up.  Me if I put something out there as open source, I make sure the layers are named.  This way people can use it.  Plus, it helps me when building and image.

[JETalmage]

Select > Same command...selects the paths on the drawing but does not select the "layer items" in the layer list ....for each item there is a little square showing it's selected, but the row is not highlighted...

You can mousedown on any one of those little highlighted squares, drag it, and drop it into the desired Layer. All the other objects with highlighted will follow.

JET

[lewisv123]

Thanks JET for your help but...

I'm not sure I follow... If I select several paths (e.g. by select same command) to get the result shown in my first screenshot (i.e. marked with squares but not having their rows highlighted) then this doesn't work for me in the way you describe. In fact, if I do select in this wa and drag the marker square of one of the paths, then that path will move up and down but on its own.

To get a whole bunch of paths to move together, it seems that I have to have them highlighted in the layer panel (see 2nd screenshot).

Maybe I have misunderstood your suggestion or my AI settings might differ to yours?

Anyhow, Peter (aka trombonlator) suggested a good workaround, but if there is a faster way then I'd love to know it!?

Lewis

[JETalmage · Accepted solution]

Sorry. Correction:

I should have said, "You can mousedown on any one of the little highlighted squares of the Layers involved..."

More explicitly:

1. Create a file. Create three Layers: Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3.

2. Draw a few random objects on Layer 1.

3. Draw a few random objects on Layer 3.

4. Select just some of the objects on Layer 1 and just some of the objects on Layer 3. Assume you want to move the selected objects to Layer 2.

5. Look at the Layer's palette. If the Layers are expanded so as to show all the objects it contains, you'll see that each selected object's little square is highlighted (colored with the color of its Layer). But the Layer itself also has a little square, and it is also highlighted. This is true whether the Layer is collapsed or expanded.

6. Mousedown on Layer 1's little square. Drag it and drop it onto Layer 2. All of the individual selected objects in Layer 1 move to Layer 2. The selected objects in Layer 3 are still selected.

7. Mousedown on Layer 3's little square. Drag it and drop it onto Layer 2. All of the individual selected objects in Layer 3 move to Layer 2. All the selected objects are still selected, but they are now all inside Layer 2.

JET

[lewisv123]

Jet

Wow that is so simple to do, yet not simple at all to discover or to explain!

Thanks for taking the time to explain thoroughly.

Lewis

[JETalmage]

...not simple at all to discover or to explain!

Welcome to Illustrator, the interface that makes everything seem more complicated than it is, so users will mistake it for "sophistication."

😉

JET

[CarlosCanto]

another way...

1. Ctrl+X to Cut your selection

2. Select (Click on) Destination Layer in Layers Panel

3. Ctrl+F to Paste in Front (move your selection to selected Layer)

[tromboniator]

James,

Thank you. I learned this drag-and-drop technique ages ago (quite possibly from you), but had forgotten. Locked in now.

Peter