Z-axis position information gets lost when alt-dragging several elements

[drawntoresearch]

Until now, when I selected several elements with different positions on the Z-axis, the Z-axis position of the copied elements would correspond to that of the original elements. Example: If I alt-dragged one element that was in front and one that was behind a third element, the copied elements would also be infront and behind. 

Now, as soon as I alt-drag several elements, they all end up in front of the uppermost of the original elements.

Is this a bug or has this been an intentional change to something I find much worse? It is really annoying that I now loose all depth information as soon as I alt-drag more than one element, and it really messes up my workflow. Is there a way to change this back?

[Doug A Roberts]

What version did you notice this change in? What version were you using before?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @drawntoresearch,

Thank you for sharing the details. As the expert suggested, could you let me know your Illustrator version and OS? It would also be helpful to know whether this happens with all files or only specific ones. If possible, a short screen recording showing the copied elements losing their relative stacking order would make it easier for me to review with the team.

In the meantime, you can try resetting Illustrator preferences after backing them up. Once you've done this, please let me know if the issue still occurs.

Looking forward to your update,
Abhishek

[drawntoresearch]

I am using 29.7.1 on a macOS Sequoia. But now I am unsure anymore whether it actually used to be different. It still works when I alt-drag elements on different layers, it only has everything jump to the uppermost position if it is in the same layer. 

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

Probably you were referring to a specific layer structure.

If you want to achieve it without relying on that structure (that is, all objects are on the same layer), you may copy move a stack of (ungrouped) objects with Object menu > Transform > Transform Each command.