Opening Illustrator documents-all layers are open!

When I open an Illustrator file with many layers, nested groups, etc. I have to spend the first minute or so closing all the nested layers in the layers palette.
It's very annoying. I've searched for a preference but can't find anything to tell Illustrator to open with all layer triangles closed. Is this possible?

That's a frequently asked question. There are workarounds.
Have you already searched the forum?

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CS5 file printing at 50% opacity, even though all layers are at 100% opacity! HELP

Hi,
I'm having some SERIOUS issues with InDesign at the moment. I'm quite well versed with the program, and have never encountered this issue before - I am at a loss at what to do or how to fix it.
I've been designing a magazine layout for a University assignment - the file/template was downloaded from the Uni website, and had 1 existing layer which we could not alter. I've then added a number of other layers of images, text, shapes etc. Some which have various drop shadows and effects on top.
When I went to test print the layout, I noticed that it was though it had been set at 50% opacity - everything was see through and I could see multiple layers of colours. I thought that I had perhaps accidentally mucked with the settings, but after double checking, I was baffled. Originally I had exported it as a high quality PDF file, so I then tried printing it as a CS5 file straight from my mac - I got the same result. I've since tried both the PDF and .idml files on both mac and pc, but nothing seems to change.
The odd thing is, on my screen, both PDF and .idml files are at 100% opacity and vibrant blocks of colour - I am quite confident that the settings on the layers are all at 100%, but I still cannot seem to fix it.
Some advice or answers would be extremely valuable! I have the chance to resubmit, so I'd like to know how to fix it, if possible!
Thanks

I'm not really sure what to show you.
In overprint view it looks wrong - 50% opacity - i think we're on the right track!
That's it in overprint view (above)
That's how it's supposed to look - I'm not sure if you can see the difference though, it's not very clear.

Opening older documents text layers are confused

When opening older documents, why does PS CS6 mess up my text layers when I select them?
I open the .psd from CS5 in a file with many text layers, the text is correct when opeinging the file but when i click on it to edit it, data from another layer replaces the selected text!
This is very frustrating, hours of work will be waisted getting things back normal!

We still need to verify whether Photoshop is correctly updated to 13.0.1, go to help>System info and paste the content here.
What I do not get is when you state that CS5 does it, I do not recall it ever hitting that version.
Could you post about your issue, if it still happens under 13.0.1 in this discussion: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1018589

When open document, all pages are blank except title page.

The document can be viewed by other application.

Thanks, Paul.
I loaded up your PDF file which is simple text but more than 5000 pages into Reader 10.3 on my iPad 3. I had exactly the same results as you. The pages are blank.
It could be read fine in Acrobat Pro X on my Macintosh.
But then I also loaded it in PDF Expert on the iPad, and I could read it.
I think this is one for the Adobe engineers to look at. Reader 10.3 is not handling very large file sizes well.
By the way, I did a review of both Reader and PDF Expert (not free $US 9.99) at this link:
Finding the Best Tablet PDF Reader

Illustrator CS6 : Some layers are missing when exporting files

Hello all,
I'm trying to export my project for use in Adobe Director 11, and I'm encountering a problem with the export feature that I believe to be a legit bug, and seeing from the amount of threads related with my problem, I believe some other people have encountered it too. I provided some pics for an easier explanation.
So.. firstly, the image below is the screenshot of my project in AI, combination of paths, mask and pictures.
Next I'm trying to export it to PNG without artboard & use transparent background. Notice that the export preview still shows the image that I expect as the export result.
Below is the exported image.
As you can see, some part of the project is 'missing' in the exported files. The problem still occurred no matter I exported it to png, jpg, even psd. Changing the export resolution and anti-aliasing setting doesn't help.
I've encountered the same problem with different project for at least 5 times in like the last 8 months, and I find that each time I encountered the problem, it can only be temporary fixed by some specific procedures and sometimes each problem won't work with the same workaround. For example, one time I can properly export the project after I copy & paste the 'missing' layers and delete the original layers, in other time I have to select the 'missing' layers, move it a little and then move them back to its first location in order to export it properly. I also find that copying the entire layer that I want to export to a new document works a few times. I can't remember some other solutions I have tried that works, but if these solutions doesn't work anymore, I have to find another and it's pretty confusing since it happen to be 'random'.
Since I believe that this happen to be a program bug, I would love if one of those Adobe guy read this post and direct the problem directly to the AI team or something so it can be fixed in the next updates. Until then, anyone ever experienced the problem? What did you guys do to 'fix' the problem?
Many thanks for people who help me here.
P.S. As I'm writing the last part, exporting my current project to PNG with transparent background seems to be working properly after I tried to export to PNG with white as the background color, I dunno why, but it works now. I still want to know other workarounds to 'fix' the problem though, that could be helpful for other people out there.

The first thing I was going to ask was if you saved as PDF earlier, but then I noticed you specifically said not in your first post. I have lost two layered high res images in the last couple of months due to getting mixed up after exporting to PDF for print. I still don't know how it happened, but I have to assume user error.
I also note you are using CS6 which has the JDI features, so saving as a JPG would not have flaterened the layers. I almost never use TIFF as it feels better to use PSD as it is the native format, and it limits the opertunity to mess up. So I am not being very helpful. If you absolutely didn't save out as JPG or PFD or similar, then you have to start thinking bug, but I have never heard of this happening outside of user error.
[EDIT] Whoops. Overlap. I called for my breakfast half way through typing my answer. Glad you got it fixed

All layers are uneditable. Please help.

I was working on a design with many layers and somehow they all became uneditable.
I say 'uneditable' because they're not locked. When I click on the layer the background of layer tile is grey (as opposed to blue)
When I try to click on the canvas the anchor point are all on the perimeter on the background image. If, I delete the background and attempt to click another element, I get a message that says the target layer is 'hidden'.
I would be eternally greatful for some help here, I have been working on this file for many hours.

Layer comps? Layer Folders? Odd combinations of layer styles and the layer belnding options like conditional blending? I could think of a couple of things but it's impossible to know without seeing more details.
Mylenium

All layers are linking together when trying to edit just one....

I pulled in 4 pics, each to a different layer to a blank layer and board. When I placed all the images, and then tried to edit each photo with saturation, hue, curve, etc, all the pics are getting edited with the intended effect, not just 1. I have tried locking the layers, but its still linking to each one. The layer on the bottom isn't getting changed, but I don't think I should have to rotate each pic and layer to the bottom to be able to edit it. A few of my other tools are also acting up. I'm trying to do class work, and this is not getting me closer to taking my exams if the tools can't do what I need them to do. Anyone else having this problem?? Any ideas??

Working on CS6. I tried the adjustment layer, but I was importing the graphics using file\place commands. It wouldn't work no matter what we tried. So, I used the mini bridge and dragged them into the main graphic, and then did the adj layers and it worked. Another misbehaving command is when I'm using the quick select tool, I inverse the selection, and try to delete the background to transparent. When I tried the del command, it comes up as a fill dialog box with foreground, or background colors-no transparent, and it used to work, simply using the del command. As far as I know, I think the other commands are working as they should... I guess time will tell if they are. Do you still need a screenshot the of screen for the del error? I have a windows pc with CS5 at home that I have used for 3 years, so this jump to CS6 on a mac is a little different than what I'm used to...
Thanks for all your help.
Jamie

Animate like the lines in all layers are drawn one after another

Hai there,
With my inkling pen i've created a drawing for PS. It now contains 30 layers, each one has a line. I would like to animate these lines/layers, so it looks (in an animated gif) like the lines are drawn one by one.
Is there a "quick" way to do so?
Thanks in advance!
p.s. first post here...!

Hi, Pascal.
I see what you mean. I was playing around with the Action idea that I had, and it may not work as I had thought it would in my head. There's a limitation with Actions, that doesn't allow the "Select Forward Layer" shortcut to select hidden layers, which makes my idea useless.
Unless someone else on this forum can figure out a quicker way, which is very possible, I'd give my first suggestion a shot for now.

CS5 crashes on launch on new mac, photoshop, illustrator etc all work, are there any patches I need to download?

Hi
i have just got a new Mac with mavericks etc, have re-installed CS but indesign crashes at launch, has anyone got any ideas

NeilB12 I have seen previous posts which indicated the update is necessary. I would recommend applying the update and if you continue to face difficulties then may want to search/post in the InDesign forum regarding using InDesign CS5 on Mac OS 10.9. The InDesign forum can be found at InDesign.

Illustrator Layers are expanded when opening.

I haven't had much luck googling this, because I am not certain of the proper terminology to ask the question.
When I open a file, one or more layer are opened/expanded in the layer tab on the side of the screen. I can close the layer, make modifications, and save; but when I open it up, the layer is always opened.
It doesn't happen with every file. But on the files that do have this, it's always like this.
Any ideas? It's rathe annoying, especially with larger art files.

SOULTION WORK ARROUND HERE:
At a previous job at AARP.org, we had CS2 and went to CS4, where I first noticed this "bug."
Sometimes, we'd have a file with 10-30 web page designs in it and having to close all the Layers showinging every Sublayer drove me nuts and can take a few Annoyed minutes.
I still have this issue in CS5, and noticed it yesterday on a co-workers CS6.
So, today I decided to Google search and fonund this thread.
I've spent the last 2 hours trying to fix the issue of all Layers and Sublayers showing when opening a document and I have found a work arround.
Now, we know that Illustrator gives a unique color to items that live on seperate layers, and it also does this for Sub-layers.
It seems when you open a file with lots of layers and sub-layers, the defualt in Illustator is to show all layers.
To fix that bug they need to add a "Show/Hide Sublayers" or something.
I think they may have added "Sublayers" in CS4, and that is when this "bug" started for the users. I'm not sure.
Also, sometimes items are getting stuck inside sub-layers etc, and it becomes hard to move selected items to the front and or back using short cut commands, you have to actually go move the sub-layer. meh.
Somethings to note:
Adobe gives the user the option to "Merge Selcted Layers" but this only lets you merge layers and sub-layers that live within the same heiarchy, and you still will have lower level sub-layers, and you can't drag a sub-sub-level layer to the the sub-layer up from it.
I haven't figured out how or why all the sublayers got created, I know I never made a actual "New Sublayer"
So, if there is a process in the workflow to avoid doing that, I'll look out for it and post something in the future.
But it may have to do with working with custom symbols, pasting form layers to layers, Paste Remembers Layers being selected, copying layers, etc... I don't know.
So, here is how I cleaned up my file:
I removed all the damn sub-layers that ened up in my file somehow.
1) First make sure "Paste Remembers Layers" is NOT selcted in the Layers palette menu.
2) Select everything in a specific layer by clicking on the circle to the right of the layer name in the layers palatte or use commed-c to copy.
3) With all your content still selected, delete everything.
4) Select all the sub-layers (which are now empty), that are underneath your most top level layer.
5) Click on your top level layer, and use Shift-Command-V to Paste in Place (also found under the Edit menu).
Now, your layers will look like the used back in CS3 or CS2, you will have NO Sublayers, and after you save and re-open the document, all layers will not be open showing.
Ta-Da! This has been driving me crazy for like a year and a half. Work arround discovered.
Thought I should share.
Now, if you like using layers and naming them, then you're stuck with all layers showing upon opening a document but you can reduce what shows by going into Panel Options and checking "Show Layers Only"
This will show only your layers and sub-layers, but it can reduce you seeing all the paths and objects, etc., but when you open documents, all those layers will still be open. Got it?

How to 'Select All Layers' when background is locked?

I've just tried to Select > All Layers and was very surprised when the Background, a locked layer, was not included in the selection. Is it possible to select all layers, included the background?

This could be a tricky one and needs some explanation. I have about 1600 images to process. I would prefer to do so from within InDesign, to which the images are linked. I want to apply Smart Filters to all the images. That's only a part of the story, but it will do for the moment.
Method 1 and Why it Won't Work
I could apply a Smart Filter by choosing a certain image in InDesign; selecting Edit Original and the image opens in PS. Then I was hoping to use Select All Layers and apply a Smart Filter. But... Select All Layers doesn't select all layers, and you can't apply a Smart Filter unless all layers are selected.
Method 2 and Why it Won't Work
I could open the images within PS by using Open as Smart Object, which DOES select all the layers and allows you to apply a Smart Filter. But for a very good reason (I can explain the reason, but it would take a few more paragraphs), I want to open the images from within InDesign. So, method 2 is unsuitable.
Method 3 and Why it Won't Work
I could batch all the images using an Action to unlock the Background. But, not all my 1600 images have a background. Some have ordinary unlocked layers, some have text layers. I could set up an Action to unlock Background layers (double-click, followed by a Return to name the layer "layer 0"), but if the Action came across a text layer on the bottom -- big problem. For a text layer, double-click followed by a Return does nothing. I'd have one locked-up Action.
Method 4 - A script working from within InDesign could open the images as Smart Objects -- but I'm not a script man.
Seems a bit silly that Select All Layers doesn't allow me to select all layers.

Illustrator files opening with all layers flattened into 1.

http://tinypic.com/r/afhcg5/5
This image is directly from a customer’s email. An Illustrator template for custom candy bags is sent to the customer and has about 10 layers on it. Somehow they always come back as Layer 1, flattened. I am opening them up in CS5. Can anyone advise on why a multi layered file constantly comes back from our customers as a single layer? Having all layers is very important for these bags to print properly. Any help would be appreciated!

Yes, we are sending a layered .PDF that was created from an .AI file. We are also sending the .AI file as well. I am trying to save the .AI file back to CS3 so our customers can open the files.
We are not zipping anything though, and we are not requiring our customers to zip anything back either. We are going to start doing this....

Can I close all layers? or even better, stop illustrator from opening all layers when I open a file?

I just installed cs6, and when I open files in Illustrator, it opens all of the layers which contain sublayers. It does this even if all the top-level layers were closed during the previous save. The files I work with have a large layer-structure, so re-closing the top-level layers every time I open a file wastes a lot of my time. Can I close all layers at once, or better yet, can I stop Illustrator from opening all of the layers automatically when I load a file?
If not, then WHY on earth not? I can't be the only one who opens and closes large files with lots of layers and sub-layers...
Thanks for your help.
Edit: I also am noticing this problem is even worse in cs6, because openning and closing individual layers plays a little animation of rotating the triangular arrow before the layer which, cute as it may be, just makes the task of individually closing up all my layers that much more tedious. Can I turn off that little animation of the triangular arrow when opening and closing layers?

You can save it as a pdf and when you open that in AI the layers will not be opened even if they have sublayers.
Not true. Does the same nonsense an .AI file does. Saved as a .PDF, closed Layers/subgroups get opened.
And no one cares!
I do. Every other Adobe program with a layering sceme seems to be able to remember that you saved a file with all layers and subs closed. But not this one.
Maybe someone from the AI development team should ask someone from the Photoshop team how they've managed it.....for decades.

When I open the Page Thumbnails panel, all the document's thumbnails are blank. How do I restore the ability to see page material in Page Thumbnails?

When I open the Page Thumbnails panel, all the document's thumbnails are blank. How do I restore the ability to see page material in Page Thumbnails?

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: ''This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.''
To Reset Firefox do the following:
#Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
#Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
#Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
#Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Further information can be found in the [[Reset Firefox – easily fix most problems]] article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Batch combine files into one illustrator document - how to open target document?

I am making a script which will:
1) Open a folder of Illustrator files
2) Open each file in the folder (these files are called the source files)
3) Select all the contents of the source file
4) Copy the contents of the source file
5) Paste these contents into a target file as a new layer
6) Ensure the new layer has the same name as the old source file
However, I don't know how to tell Illustrator where my target file is. How can I do this?
Also, when I paste, how can I turn off paste rembers layers. (So the layers get pasted into the new layer that has the same name as the old document).
Here is my code:
// JavaScript Document
//Set up vairaibles
var destDoc, sourceDoc, sourceFolder;
// Select the source folder.
sourceFolder = Folder.selectDialog('Select the folder with Illustrator files that you want to mere into one', '~');
// If a valid folder is selected
if (sourceFolder != null) {
          files = new Array();
          // Get all files matching the pattern
          files = sourceFolder.getFiles();
          if (files.length > 0) {
                    // Get the destination to save the files
                    destDoc = document.selectDialog('Select the final saved document', '~');
                    for (i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
                              sourceDoc = app.open(files[i]); // returns the document object
                              var myLayers = sourceDoc.layers; // All layers in Active Document
                              //Go through all layers of source document and copy artwork
                              for (i = 0; i < myLayers.length; i++) {
                                        myLayers[i].hasSelectedArtwork = true;
                              with(sourceDoc) {
                                        var count = pageItems.length;
                                        for (var i = 0; i < count; i++) {
                                                  pageItems[i].selected = true;
                                        redraw();
                                        copy();
                                        for (var i = 0; i < count; i++) {
                                                  pageItems[i].selected = false;
                              //Create a new title variable that has the title of the source document
                              var title = sourceDoc.name;
                              var title = title.substring(0, title.length - 4); //(remove extension from name)
                              //Close the Source Document
                              sourceDoc.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
                              //Open the Destination Document and create a new layer in it that is named after the title variation
                              var newLayer = destDoc.layers.add();
                              newLayer.name = title;
                              //Paste into this new layer
                              destDoc = app.paste();
          else {
                    alert('No matching files found');
Thanks in advance for any help
Edit: Also, when pasting, how can I paste in place instead of just pasting.

I have been studying this script. It is similar to what I need except it places the source files (Instead of copying & pasting them)
http://kelsocartography.com/blog/?p=204
I have adapted the script to my needs and it works perfectly, except it has the same problem as before: It pastes the first source file, but then it endlessly starts pasting the second source file (in a loop) and so I have to force quit.
So my new question is, when looping through files how can you get illustrator to move on the next one?
The original kelsocartography had this line:
thisPlacedItem = newLayer.placedItems.add()
thisPlacedItem.file = imageList[i];
I belive this line is what makes Illustrator move onto the next file, but I am not sure how to adapt it to my code.
Here is my code so far:
function getFolder() {
          return Folder.selectDialog('Please select the folder to be imported:', Folder('~'));
function importFolderAsLayers(selectedFolder) {
          // if a folder was selected continue with action, otherwise quit
          var myDocument;
          if (selectedFolder) {
                    myDocument = app.documents.add();
                    var firstImageLayer = true;
                    var newLayer;
                    var thisPlacedItem;
                    // create document list from files in selected folder
                    var documentList = selectedFolder.getFiles();
                    for (var i = 0; i < documentList.length; i++) {
                              // open each document in file list
                              if (documentList[i] instanceof File) {
                                        // get the file name
                                        var fName = documentList[i].name.toLowerCase();
                                        var sourceDoc = app.open(documentList[i]); // returns the document object
                                        var myLayers = sourceDoc.layers; // Select All layers in Active Document
                                        //Go through all layers of source document and copy artwork
                                        for (i = 0; i < myLayers.length; i++) {
                                                  myLayers[i].hasSelectedArtwork = true;
                                        with(sourceDoc) {
                                                  var count = pageItems.length;
                                                  for (var i = 0; i < count; i++) {
                                                            pageItems[i].selected = true;
                                                  redraw();
                                                  copy();
                                                  for (var i = 0; i < count; i++) {
                                                            pageItems[i].selected = false;
                                        //Create a new title variable that has the title of the source document
                                        var title = sourceDoc.name;
                                        var title = title.substring(0, title.length - 4); //(remove extension from name)
                                        //Close the Source Document
                                        // check for supported file formats
                                        if ((fName.indexOf(".eps") == -1)) {
                                                  continue;
                                        } else {
                                                  if (firstImageLayer) {
                                                            newLayer = myDocument.layers[0];
                                                            firstImageLayer = false;
                                                  } else {
                                                            newLayer = myDocument.layers.add();
                                                  // Give the layer the name of the image file
                                                  newLayer.name = fName.substring(0, fName.indexOf("."));
                                                  // Place the image on the artboard
                                                  sourceDoc.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
                                                  //Paste into this new layer
                                                  newLayer = app.paste();
                    if (firstImageLayer) {
                              // alert("The action has been cancelled.");
                              // display error message if no supported documents were found in the designated folder
                              alert("Sorry, but the designated folder does not contain any recognized image formats.\n\nPlease choose another folder.");
                              myDocument.close();
                              importFolderAsLayers(getFolder());
          } else {
                    // alert("The action has been cancelled.");
                    // display error message if no supported documents were found in the designated folder
                    alert("Rerun the script and choose a folder with images.");
                    //importFolderAsLayers(getFolder());
// Start the script off
importFolderAsLayers(getFolder());

Opening Illustrator documents-all layers are open!

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