Add, move, or delete layers

Documents always have at least one layer. By default, this layer is named "Layer 1." You can add and delete layers, and also change the order in which each layer appears in the document.

Adding a new layer

To add a new layer

• In the Layers panel, click the New Layer button .

The new layer appears above the current layer and is named automatically ("Layer 2," "Layer 3," and so on).

Tip

It's a good idea to rename your layers with logical names (such as "Text" or "Buttons") so that you can find the objects you need quickly. You can change the name of a layer by double-clicking the layer name.

To add new layers at the top of the layer list

1. On the Edit menu, point to Options, and then click General.

2. On the General panel, under General, clear the Create new layer above current layer check box.

Sometimes you may want to duplicate a layer.

To duplicate a layer

1. In the Layers panel, select the layer you want to duplicate.

2. At the bottom of the panel, click the Options icon , and then click Duplicate Layer.

   The objects in the layer are also duplicated.

Moving a layer

At times you might want to move a layer up or down in the Layers panel. The higher a layer is, the nearer to the front its objects are in the document.

To move a layer

• In the Layers panel, select the layer you want to move and then drag the name label up or down in the layer order.

Dragging "Layer 4" lower in the stacking order

Deleting a layer

When you no longer need a layer, you can delete it.

To delete a layer

• In the Layers panel, select the layer you want to delete, and then click the Delete Layer icon .