Multiple master pages - need to float specific object

[kirstendixon]

I have a magazine with 3 sections. They are color specific. I created 3 master pages (one for each section). I need a design element on the master page to float above the page content. I know how to do this by making a separate layer, and this works if I only have ONE master page.  But with multiple master pages, if I place the object in the new layer, it appears on ALL pages (irrespective of their Master page). How can I get a side banner object (different on each master page) to float above its respective pages?

Thanks,

Karyn

[BobLevine]

It should only appear on the master to which you’ve added it an any on which it’s based. Did you base one master on another? If you look at the individual masters does this item show on them all?

[ktraphagen]

I don't think I was clear enough.

I have 3 sections of a magazine. I have a master page spread for each of those sections. They work perfectly.

One item on each of the master pages is a side bar that identifies the section (so, each master page sidebar is slightly different). The different side bars show up perfectly on the pages the Master has been applied to. BUT one Master Page object is obscured by the items on the pages because it is on the bottom.

I need the sidebar to float above the objects on the pages in each section.

The only way I know to get a master page object to float above (in other words, be the topmost item on a page) is to set up a separate layer (while in Master Pages) and have the object on that layer. But you can't differentiate which master page that should apply to (at least, that's my issue, I don't know if there IS a way to do this).

Karyn

[BobLevine]

I don’t think you fully understand how this works.

Go ahead and put each sidebar on each master. Move it to a top layer. It will still only show up on the master to which it is applied.

You don’t need a layer for each master.

[rob day]

Layers are a document wide property, not a page or master page property:

Here the orange boxes on my A master are on the Sidebar layer—the boxes are selected so the Sidebar layer shows a dot at the right

On my B-Master the selected green boxes also show in the Sidebar layer. If they were on a different layer I would be able to drag the dot to the sidebar layer and the page's stacking order would change.

[karyn_m]

Thanks (this is still Karyn, just signed in on my own account now)

I can do what you do. That's not my issue. My issue is that a bar (like your orange or green) has to go OVER the items on the document pages. I'm having trouble finding a way to have that happen.

I can put the different sidebars on each Master. I'm moving it to be the most top item on that Master page. The sidebars show up on the document pages that the Master are assigned to. BUT it is still below all the items on that individual document page.

I am missing the part about how to get that one item  in a specific Master Page so that it will appear ABOVE all the items on the applied document page, but only on the pages that that Master applies to.

Karyn

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Double check to see what layer the problem object is on; also, check to see that no layers are above the layer the top master items are on.

Otherwise, can you share an document with no important content?

[karyn_m]

OK, I can override the sidebar on each page to bring it to the top of the page, but I was hoping to automate that.

I had people telling me to make "layers" in the Master Pages and that was messing me up. I understand that layers are document wide. I've got the Masters working correctly with the various assigned document pages.

As I understand it now,  it doesn't appear to be something I can indicate on a Master page (i.e. indicate a specific object to automatically override the document page and be the top item, while the rest of the Master Page items are background).

Thanks everyone.

Karyn

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You shouldn't have to override each page. Something in the document is not set up correctly.

Check out this document:

Adobe Creative Cloud

[Laubender]

karyn.m  wrote

… My issue is that a bar (like your orange or green) has to go OVER the items on the document pages. I'm having trouble finding a way to have that happen.

Hi Karyn,

create a new layer and stack it on top of every other layer in the Layers panel.
Create your bar of the masters on that layer or move your bar to that layer.

Regards,
Uwe

[karyn_m]

Thanks everyone. I think you've all given some good suggestions and I'm working on getting my issue under control.

Karyn

[BobLevine]

One last piece of advice. If that bar is the only thing that needs to be on that layer, lock it. That way you don’t accidentally put something else on it.

[rob day]

I can do what you do. That's not my issue. My issue is that a bar (like your orange or green) has to go OVER the items on the document pages. I'm having trouble finding a way to have that happen.

If you are adding new content to the pages you can add the content to a specified layer by selecting that layer in the Layers panel. So I can add a layer between Background and Sidebar and if it is the targeted layer any content will be added below Sidebar.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Objects are master-page specific; layers are global--not just for masters, but for all pages.

Create multiple layers:

• Master Items_Top
  • Any Page Content Layer(s) go here
• Master Items_Bottom

Items you want to float about page content move to or create on the Master Items_Top layer. Other master page items can be on the bottom layer. Lock the master layers as needed.

However, if just the side bar is changing, why not used based on masters and override the side bar to add new content.

Another option if the new content is just text and not color coded is to use the Section marker.