In Illustrator, we place our objects, shapes, or text on a layer. A designer may want to add all the objects on different layers.
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Duplicate a layer
Duplicating a layer means creating another layer of any layer in your artboard. Duplicating a layer creates an exact copy of the layer that you are already working on with all the work and design on it.
Adobe Illustrator does not automatically create new layers for your work. You have to create each layer one by one. Being a designer you may want to create new layers every time you add a design to your artboard. But you do not have any idea, how to duplicate the layer?
Well, don’t worry. In this tutorial, we are going to tell you multiple ways to duplicate layers just within seconds. You can use any method, that suits you the most.
You can also learn:
Let’s start.
Methods to Duplicate a layer in Illustrator
In Adobe Illustrator there are two methods to duplicate a layer.
- By short key
- By Layers panel
1st Method: By Short key
Duplicating a layer by using the short key is the easiest method to choose.
Step 1: Open the Layer panel by Window > Layers.
Step 2: The Layers panel will appear.
Step 3: In the layer panel. Select the layer you want to duplicate.
Step 4: Keep pressing Alt from the keyboard, and then click on the layer and drag it, up-word or down-word. (Depends on you where you want to place the duplicated layer.
That’s all the layer is duplicated. You can repeat this as much as duplicate layers you want to create.
2nd Method: By Layers panel
In this method, we can duplicate layers by using the layers panel on the right side of the Adobe Illustrator workspace. Follow the given steps to duplicate a layer in illustrator.
Step 1: Open the Layer panel by Window > Layer.
Step 2: The Layer panel will appear.
Step 3: Select the layer that you want to duplicate.
Step 4: To duplicate the layer, click on the hidden menu that is available on the right side of the layer panel.
Step 5: Click to Expand the hidden menu.
Step 6: Click on the Duplicate layer.
Step 7: Here you get the duplicate layer.
This is how you can duplicate a layer by using the duplicate option available in the layer panel.
Duplicate by New Layer
Another simple and easy way you can adopt to duplicate the layer is by using the New Layer option.
Step 1: Select the layer that you want to duplicate.
Step 2: Click and drag it to the New Layer option.
As you release the click, a new duplicate layer will be created.
What is the short Key to Duplicate a layer in illustrator?
Select the layer from, the layer panel, press Alt + Click and then drag it to duplicate.
How to change the color of Duplicate layer in illustrator?
You may also want to change the color of the layer that you have created. You can change the color of the duplicate layer as follow:
Step 1: Double click on the layer to change its color.
Step 2: The Layer Options panel will appear.
Step 3: Click on the colors.
Step 4: The color palette will appear.
Step 5: You can choose any color that you want to use for the identification of the layer.
Step 6: After you are done, click OK from the Color.
Step 8: Click OK from Layer Options to save the changes.
A new color is now added to the layer. Now you can easily identify the layer that you have duplicated.
You Have Learned to Duplicate Layer in Adobe Illustrator.
In this tutorial, you have learned to Duplicate layers in Adobe Illustrator. You can follow any method two duplicate it according to your choice.
Have More Questions?
If you have any questions related to the Duplicate layer in Illustrator, then feel free to ask in the comment section below. We have also answered some Frequently asked questions below.
How to duplicate an object in illustrator?
Any object can be duplicated in Adobe Illustrator if needed. Select the object that you want to duplicate. From the hidden menu, click on Duplicate “ name>”.
How to delete a duplicate layer in illustrator?
To delete any duplicate layer in illustrator then select the layer and from the hidden menu select Delete “Layer”.
Copy Layer to another artboard in Illustrator?
To copy a layer to another artboard in Illustrator, select the required layer and then copy it by using Ctrl+C from the keyboard or go into the Edit menu and click on Copy. The desired layer will be selected. Now go to the other artboard, press Ctrl+V from the keyboard, or go to the Edit menu and click on Paste. That’s the way to copy the layer to another artboard in Illustrator.
After creating a layer, you can easily give it a name so that you can easily work with the layers and move them around. A duplicating layer can make work so much easier for a designer.
All done! Enjoy.
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