OPERATION WITH LAYERS
Layers are the further development of a method of application (look about it in chapter 6) and allow to arrange reasonably the information on logic blocks to work with them individually and as with a single whole.
Subject metaphor of a computer layer is known to many generations of artists the transparent tracing-paper which, of course, is not ideally transparent, and besides does not give possibility in the slightest degree to correct the put image. The layers used in graphics editors, are characterized by ideal parameters: an absolute transparency and the infinite stability to corrections.
In each document created in the program of adobe Illustrator, already initially there is one layer. Adding new СЛОСЕ! Allows to control easily the considerable mass of objects (to double, reallocate, merge and fulfill other actions), their display to the screen and an output to exterior printing devices. In the given version of the program new properties of layers were added: layout on layers not only objects and groups of objects, but also other layers that allows to create difficult пложенные complexes.
In the program the special sample layer (template) for layout on it of any objects having auxiliary value, in particular, it is provided also concerns the point images intended for trace - About methods of performance of trace look in chapter 5.
With a view of the further integration of products of firm of adobe into the program saving of layers at export of the document to a format of the program of adobe Photoshop is provided.
It is necessary to get acquainted with the main singularities of layers.
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Within one layer objects are allocated by a normal method — "pile": each object has the level Look about it in chapter 6. |
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Bunched objects are allocated on the same layer. At grouping of the objects which are on different layers, they are moved on the uppermost layer of group at once after the uppermost object in group. Look about it in chapter 6. |
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At masking of the objects which are on different layers, objects of the intermediate layers also become a mask part. It is told about masking in chapter 7. |
All operations with layers (creation, removal, fixation and other) are carried out by means of palettes Layers (Layers) (fig. 10.1), which opens command Show Layers (to Show layers) menu Window (Window).
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| Rice 10.1. Palette Layers |
Besides, palette Layers (Layers) is used for selection and removal of objects and their groups, fixation and their concealment. And also assignments of parameters. The palette can serve in this sense as "control panel" not only layers.
Developers of the program provide following working conditions with layers, groups and objects:
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It is possible to create the arbitrary number of layers, groups and objects; |
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On layers other layers (nested layers), groups and separate objects can be allocated. Groups in turn can include other groups and objects, but not layers; |
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If to layers and groups on a layer any commands are applied, for example Lock to (Fix) menu Object (Object) it is necessary to consider hierarchy of layers, groups and objects. For example, on layer Layer 1 groups are allocated And and V.Komanda Lock to (Fix) is applied at first to group And, and then to layer Layer 1. As a result all layer Layer 1 will be fixed, including group And (which has been fixed earlier) and V.Esli's group now to apply command Unlock to (Release) to layer Layer I the group And remains to fixed, and the group In will be released; |
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Layer relocation involves relocation of all other layers, groups and the objects allocated on it; |
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The objects entering into group, are allocated on one layer. If in group the objects allocated on different layers they "are tightened" on that layer which includes the uppermost object of group unite. |
In a palette names of layers, since the uppermost are displayed.
The current layer, group or object are marked with a special sign in the form of a triangle (
). All operations (for example, drawing, relocation, an insertion of objects from clipboard Clipboard) are carried out only on the active layer. If on any layer there are selected objects in a line of this layer in the right part the color small square is displayed.
For activation of any layer it is enough to click the left mouse button on a line of this layer or group. If the layer or group contains other layers or groups, it is necessary to push a triangular arrow (
) to "tear" nested layers or the objects entering into group (fig. 10.2). By means of the same arrow the information "is displaced".
Palette type it is possible it is necessary to change - For this purpose to execute command Palette Options (palette Parameters) which opens dialog box Layers Palette Options (Parameters of a palette "Layers") (fig. 10.3).
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| Rice 10.2. "Nested" layers |
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| Rice 10.3. Dialog box Layers Palette Options |
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Flag Show Layers Only (to Display only layers) provides display in palette Layers (Layers) only layers, groups and objects are not displayed. |
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It is possible to select one of variants of height of a line from group Row Size (Height of a line): |
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It is possible to select variants of display of the reduced images of layers, groups or objects from (Miniature) group Thumbnails; |
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About assignment of the buttons allocated in the lower part of a palette, look further in sections "Creation of a new layer" and "Removal of layers" the present chapter.
Assignment of parameters to layers, groups and objects by means of palette Layers
In the given version of the program palette Layers (Layers) in such level expanded the functions that allows to appropriate parameters of "exterior appearance" (appearance) — styles, effects, a transparency — to a layer, group or separate object.
In case of assignment of certain parameters to a layer or group all again created or moved objects inherit them. For example, if to layer Layer 2 the effect of a shade any object which appears that or otherwise on this layer, also acquires this property is appropriated. And if the object is moved on other layer, for example Layer 3 to which the effect also the object is released from it was not applied.
In the right part of lines of a layer, group or object special tags which are indicators of a state of a layer are displayed.
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The tag ( ) designates layer, group or object which are not target (target) and by which no parameters of "exterior appearance" were appropriated. |
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The tag ( ) designates layer, group or object which are target (target) but by which no parameters of "exterior appearance" were appropriated. |
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The tag ( ) designates layer, group or object which are not target (target) but by which parameters of "exterior appearance" were appropriated. |
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The tag ( ) designates layer, group or object which are target (target) and by which parameters of "exterior appearance" were appropriated. |
To make target a layer, group or object in palette Layers (Layers), it is necessary to click on a tag () or (). Then to them it is possible to apply parameters of palettes Styles (Styles), Appearance (Exterior appearance) or Transparency (Transparency).
If it is required to move, copy or delete parameters of "exterior appearance" also it is possible to use target icons.
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To move parameters of "exterior appearance", it is necessary to drag a tag () or (). As a result the source object, group or object lose the parameters. |
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To copy parameters, follows at tag relocation () or () to retain pushed a key [Alt]. |
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To delete parameters it is necessary to drag a tag () or () on button Trash (Basket) ( ) in the lower part palettes Layers (Layers). Layers and groups lose all parameters of exterior appearance, and objects can save parameters of initial filling and обводок. |
As it is already told above, each new document of the program of adobe Illustrator by default contains one layer with name Layer 1, the User can create the arbitrary number of layers, restriction can be caused only in purely technical parameters of the computer.
To create a new layer it is possible in several ways:
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Click on button Create New Layer (to Create a new layer) ( ) in the lower part of a palette creates a new layer with a name and the parameters accepted by default. The layer is allocated over the active layer or group. |
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Click on the same button, but with a pushed key <Ctrl> creates a new layer with default arguments and allocates it above all available layers, and with pushed keys <Ctrl> + <Alt> — below the active layer. |
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Click on button Create New Sublayer (to Create a new nested layer) ( ) in the lower part of a palette creates a new layer within active and with default arguments. |
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Relocation of a line of a layer, group or object for buttons Create New Layer (to Create a new layer) or Create New Sublayer (to Create new enclosed сдой) leads to creation of their counterparts. To their names the word "Copy" is added. |
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Click on buttons Create New Layer (to Create a new layer) and Create New Sublayer (to Create a new nested layer) with a pushed key <Alt> displays dialog box Layer Options (layer Parameters) (fig. 10.4) in which it is possible to change the parameters offered by the program by default. |
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The same dialog box is caused by command New Layer (the New layer) the menu of a palette which opens click on the button with a triangular arrow in the right part of a palette. |
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| Rice 10.4. Dialog box Layer Options |
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Nota Bene. (Name) instead of offered by the program it is possible to enter the arbitrary name which helps the executor and, especially, any other user "to understand the device" the document. |
List Color (Colour) offers a choice of color with which wire circuits of the selected objects of the given layer will be marked. The information on it look further in section "Determination" of color of "layer" of present chapter.
More low in a dialog box six flags which setting influences type of a created layer, on its display and the press are allocated.
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Flag Template (Template) transforms the given layer into the sample. Thus some other flags become inaccessible. Look about it долее in section "Creation of a sample layer" of the given chapter. |
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Flag Show to (Show) provides display or not layer display to the screen. More in detail about it look more low in section "Temporal removal of layers from the screen" the present chapter. |
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Flag Print to (Print) provides the selective press — defines, to print the given layer or not. More in detail about it look further in section "Printing of separate layers" of the current chapter. |
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Flag Preview (Illustration) regulates a layer display mode: |
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Flag Dim Images to (the Background mode) defines a display mode of the point images imported or received as a result of rasterization (command Rastenze (Rasterizovat) menu Object (Object)), and value in percentage in the field on the right is a gray level of tone by which picture data are displayed. Look about it more low in section "Display of point images" of the given chapter. |
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Flag Lock to (Fix) serves for fixation of a layer and preventing of any changes on this layer. The detail information about it is further in section "Fixation of layers, groups and objects" the present chapter. |
For change of parameters of already existing layer it is necessary to select and execute it command Options for <a layer name> (Parameters for) the palette menu; 1ли double click on an appropriate line of a layer. As a result otkry-zaetsja dialog box Layer Options (layer Parameters).