why are my two layers linked? I don't know what to select to unlink them.

[stevens70907226]

I have a bottom layer that are grids.

Next layer is my artwork.

To the layer above that I drew a large rectangle and put in a color gradient fill, then adjusted the opacity.

As usual, I then select the little plus sign in the bottom right hand corner of the Layer Panel to make a new layer and draw another rectangle with a different fill, but then the fill below changes to match what I'm choosing for the upper layer. In otherwords, the two layers are linked. I've deleted them both but when I remake them, they are still linked. If I draw on the upper, it appears on the lower. This hasn't happened before and I'm not sure what setting I need to adjust to fix this behavior. Any ideas?  

[mjbelt · Accepted solution]

Sounds like it's a sub-layer...or grouped (ungroup objects)

Preferences>General>Reset Preferences

[stevens70907226]

Thank you. 

[mjbelt]

Your welcome! Glad I could help.

[Larry G. Schneider]

After making the new layer, make sure you have deselected the object on the other layer. Then set the fill and/or stroke you want for the new object before you create it.