How to Merge Layers in Illustrator

Learn how to merge layers in Illustrator in this tutorial. If you're trying to merge shapes, you can use the Shape Builder tool or the Pathfinder options.
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[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

Check out my Illustrator classes on Skillshare: bit.ly/PBSkillshare

[@rayne9323]

I really need help.
None of these work for me. When Multi-selecting the layers, "merge selected" is greyed out for me. The unite option creates a group for me not a single layer. The shape tool doesn't merge them but the two things i want merged are not directly next to each other as I am merging an image by color for swift edibility later. Using 2023. No one seems to be able to resolve. Thanks if you find the time to answer.

[@bhadbhobby9351]

same here

[@11barvas]

same here. It's a half explained video. You find thousands like these on youtube.

[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

Make sure you’re trying to merge layers and not object “layers”. The children of layers would be all of the objects, and in a new document everything is created in one layer. Even though every object and element looks like a layer in the layers panel, they aren’t. That’s a difference from Photoshop.
If you have multiple objects you’re trying to put into their own layer, you can select them in the layers panel and instead of “merge selected”, use “collect in new layer”.
This will create a separate layer with those items included in it

[@SpearChuckUngawa]

I think the clipping path/closed path is preventing the ai file from importing into Max, what can I do to fix it so when importing there's no problems?

[@CarlosOrtiz-c7k]

Very useful. Thank you

[@martsuha]

I don't know why, but the shapebuilder tool wont work for me quite the same way for me like it does in this video. I've selected all my rectangles in one layer with the shapebuiler tool but once I release the click it just makes all the rectangles into separate multiple layers of "paths" instead of just one layer where everything is merged together.

[@hafiyudn]

Thank you so much!

[@MamangHotler]

Straight to topic! Thanks

[@mint4790]

What if you want to merge an illustration together whit different colors I tried using the merge tool but essentially it only works whit the same colors or am I wrong?

[@silvialindley6188]

You are an amazing instructor! Thank you! 🙌🏻

[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

Thank you!

[@loomonda18]

Great video! Question - by default, my illustrator keeps everything on one layer...how would you separate things onto new layers, is there a setting for this for Illustrator to automatically do this? Or would you have to put things onto new layers manually? Thanks!

[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

So if you go ahead and make a new layer, then select every object in the layer panel that you want to go to that new layer, you can click and drag those selected to the new layer to move them.

[@loomonda18]

@@PixelAndBracketIllustrator Okay great! Is there a way for illustrator to make new elements on a new layer automatically? Or will it always default to a single layer, and then I'd manually move things to a new layer as needed?

[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

Create new layers and then select the layer you want certain elements on in the layer panel. With that layer selected your elements will be created inside of it, different layers have different colors of bounding boxes around shapes as you work with them which helps you know which layer it’s on

[@loomonda18]

@@PixelAndBracketIllustrator Awesome, thanks for your help! It's appreciated!

[@timmytee734]

How do you connect them with just two lines on both sides?

[@TheKilrgrn]

Thank you!

[@aichatnaaichatna2018]

thanks

[@HelloMan181]

Thank you

[@Ray-tf6yp]

Thanks bro.

[@MrGylsen]

What’s new for 2023 adobe? Thanks

[@PixelAndBracketIllustrator]

Everything New in Illustrator 2023
ua-cam.com/video/_Yux7pS-TuM/v-deo.html

[@mohammadhashash9329]

[@dpgedward5947]

Did not know that,

[@isarart7036]

Thank you!

[@vindeep1421]

thanks