Way to have Illustrator ignore locked layers?

[csscms]

Hi There,

When a layer is locked, 90% of the time I want Illustrator to ignore that layer - like never auto-select a locked layer, or never attempt to paste into a locked layer.

Is this possible?

Basically, Illustrator seems to force constant interaction with locked layers which is a huge time waster when you just have a template, safe area, or some other reference on top, and you art underneath.

Hope that makes sense. Cheers, Ben

[Kurt Gold]

How do you paste objects into a locked layer?

Also, can you post some screenshots and additional notes to clarify the context?

[Anna_Lander]

generally, when we try to paste anything to the locked layer, the program gives an alert 

does yours do this? and what do you answer?

[csscms]

That’s the issue — when I lock a layer, I don’t interact with it unless I need to.

But Illustrator seems to auto-select the locked layer, maybe when it’s the topmost layer? Which is usually where a reference/template or safe area for META ads or TVCs has to go - on top.

So when you copy/paste, you get a warning about pasting into a locked layer when you never selected it - Illustrator did.

Question: How do you stop Illustrator from automatically selecting a locked top layer?

[Anna_Lander]

and which layer did you select by yourself after locking the current layer?

[csscms]

Thanks for the reply. I select the art layer, and there are times when i might toggle visibility and accidentally select the top layer. But there seem to be times when Illustrator will auto-select the top layer - like when Illustrator first opens. Will pay more attention to those times to figure them out. Cheers

[Anna_Lander]

To check the situation, it would be useful to move the locked layer down and see what happens. You can restore the layer order at any moment.

[csscms]

I've seen this over meany years - it's not because the layer is locked. But rather, that in some instances, Illustrator defaults to auto-selecting the top layer.

For example, if I select the unlocked layer (second in the list) then save, close, and re-open. Illustrator initially selects the layer selected before closing (the unlocked, second layer) but then jumps to auto-select the top layer which in this case is locked.

Over the years, I've noticed this while working but haven't pinned down exactly when - it use to happen after saving but not anymore. Anyway, it's just another quirk to workaround. Cheers