Expert: Amy - 6/17/2005

Question
Hi Amy, any advice you have on this Q would be much appreciated.

My Illustrator CS file consists of a US Map with overlaid icons denoting geographic locations.  A background layer has the states and state names.  Other layers have the particular geographic locations.

I imported the background layer from one CS file into my main file.  My problem is the background layer isn't aliged with the icon layers.

When I try to drag and drop the background layer to align it, either -

1.  The other layers drag with it, like they're locked together, or,

2.  When I "select all" in the background layer, and try to drag it using the "direct selection tool", only some components - the state outlines and state names - can be dragged.  Other elements like the state shapes filled with color will not select using 'select all', and won't drag.

In sum, how can I drag and drop one, and only one, layer of my multi-layer Illustrator CS file?

Kind regards,

Len Ross

Answer
Hi Len,

I'd say send me the file, but I use version 9 (happily).

I guess I'd fall back to the method I've used since before layers were implemented... and still use today out of habit.

Select all the objects or layers you don't want to move. I used to do this by hand but you can do this easily now by clicking the "Click to Target" circle/radio button that appears after the Layer name in the layers palette.

Then choose Object > Hide Selection or Ctrl+3 to hide all that stuff.

Then either do a Select All or select the "Click to Target" circle on the remaining layer in the Layers palette to select everything in the background layer that you do want to move.

The state shapes should be selected now. If they are not selected, they may be locked. Choose Object > Unlock All or Ctrl + Alt + 2 to unlock them.

You can now move all the background elements by dragging them, etc.

When you're done, unhide the hidden objects.

If everything is kosher, it should have worked.

So in short, to select every item in a layer and move it, you click that "Click to Target" circle in the Layers palette.

One other note, if none of this works, you are correct in assuming that the background layer is somehow attached to the other layers but it might not be simply "grouped" with the other objects; it might be part of a compound path.

Select it and look under Object > Clipping Mask and Object > Compound Path to make sure the word Release is grayed out in both of those menu items.  If it's not grayed out, it means that the stuff you want to move is part of another grouping and you'll need to release those clipping masks or compound paths or whatnot before moving the stuff independently.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Have a great weekend!

Amy Pace