A sublayer or layer can also be duplicated; if you drag it over the Create New Layer icon, it will appear directly below the current selected path. This is good when you need to make a copy of a shape without destroying the original. Refer to Figure 8-10.
Figure 8-10. Duplicate a layer or sublayer using the Layers panel
When you need to locate a selected item, you can use the search to filter layer, By Object or By Layer type. Click the X in the search area to clear the search and reveal all layers. Refer to Figure 8-11.
Figure 8-11. Use the new filter options in the Layers panel
If a layer is selected with a specific sublayer that has a path selected with a square, you can also use the menu to locate an object on the artboard, and you will move to that sublayer in the Layers panel. Or if the object sublayer is not selected on the artboard, click beside the circle on the layer to make the colored square appear to reveal it on the artboard. Refer to Figure 8-12.
Figure 8-12. Use the Layers panel to locate a path or sublayer on a specific layer that has a square on the right in the Layers panel and is on the artboard
Note The Locate Object menu item is the same as the magnifying glass at the bottom of the Layers panel. Refer to Figure 8-13.
Figure 8-13. Layers panel lower bar Locate Object icon
If you need to change the layer’s color or other settings, the current layer color is assigned when you create a new layer on the layer and sublayers. It appears as a vertical bar in the same color and as the square when a path is selected. Refer to Figure 8-12. You may need to change the layer color if it clashes with your artwork and makes the anchor points difficult to see. You can edit this as well as other layer settings when you double- click the Layer thumbnail.
Here you can see the Layer Options dialog box. Refer to Figure 8-14.
Figure 8-14. Layers panel Options dialog box
Here you can change the name; alternatively, you can double-click the name outside of the box and type it in and then click another layer to set the name. Refer to Figure 8-15.
Figure 8-15. Rename a layer in the Layers panel
While in the dialog box, use the drop-down list in the dialog box to change the color or the color picker. Additional settings, when enabled, allow you to make the layer a template, lock/unlock the layer, show/hide the layer, print, preview, or dim the images. Click OK to exit the dialog box and commit your changes. Refer to Figure 8-16.
Figure 8-16. Layer Options dialog box for color settings
Layers can also be locked by adding the lock icon by clicking in the blank square or shown and hidden by turning on and off the eye icon. Refer to Figure 8-17.
Figure 8-17. Locking and hiding layers using the Layers panel
Clicking the lock to lock the layer or eye to hide the layer will cause the sublayers to lock or hide as well.
A template layer will show up with a different square icon, not an eye, and will be locked. Sublayers will also be part of the template. Refer to Figure 8-18.
Figure 8-18. The eye is replaced by a square for a template layer
Sublayers such as for a <path> can also be renamed, but they will only have show and lock options, while blank sublayers that you create will have the same Layer Options settings. This will be useful to know when you work with your layers to create interactive infographics in Volume 3.