Onceactivated, this tool will "eliminate" the top shape layers and all the overlaps. You can use the "Minus Front" whenever you need to cut out two top shape layers from the bottom layer. For instance, you can place a square shape on the bottom layer and two circle shapes on the top layer. Position them in any way you like. Inthis article I share 2 of my favorite ones, together with a couple of other quick tips. 1. Paste Remembers Layers. By default when you copy & paste objects in Illustrator, they will be pasted in the layer that is currently active, even when these objects are copied from a couple of different layers. If you want to keep all layers in tact Applya magenta stoke and remove the fill from the black shape on the cut layer. Magenta is the universally acknowledged colour of cut paths. Don't ask me why. Select the contents of the cut layer again, and hit 'Object > Path > Offset Path'. Enter the offset (in my case 2mm) and choose 'Round' for Joins. InIllustrator CS6, you can name a layer directly in the Layers panel, without having to open the Layer Options dialog box. Simply double-click on the layer's name in the Layers panel, and when it's highlighted, type in a new name. Then hit the Return or Enter key to accept the change. .

can you duplicate a layer in illustrator