Updating Layer Comps in Illustrator

I don't use layer comps much cos I remember them working clumsily with Illustrator. I now find myself in a situation where I have to use them. The Layer Comps are made in Photoshop CS6 and imported into Illustrator CS5.
In Illustrator I'm selecting the right comp and getting everything setup how I want it. However I'm finding that when I go back to the PS file and make a change, Illustrator of course asks for the link to be updated and then all my comp variations promptly vanish and all I see is the default comp. I have to go through and individually chose each comp again.
Why is AI not remembering the chosen comps?

Sorry let me explain better.
I have a product that sits on different colored napkins. The colored napkins are all derived from the same one. I then made layer comps showing the product on each differently colored napkin.
I then placed each comp into a file in AI. When the requester box for chossing the layer comps comes up I just select the right one and place. I do not change any of the default settings. Maybe I should??
I saved the AI file and then later had to edit the PS file again. The layer comps were updated and the file saved. I then found that when I went back to my AI file all the comps had changed to one variant – it had not updated each version of the comps. Does that make sense?

Similar Messages

Layer comps in Illustrator?

Adobe Photoshop has a nice feature called Layer Comps, which lets you wrap up a set of layer visibility settings and given them a name, so you can switch quickly between different views of a document. This would be really useful in Illustrator - anyone know of a way to accomplish anything like this in Illustrator?

Since Illustrator 10 there is the Variables Palette. In conjunction with the Layers Palette you can set up - among other things - Layer Visibility variables.
It's not exactly the same thing as Photoshop's Layer comps. It's a slightly different approach which, unfortunately, has never been improved since its birthday.

Why can't we have a Layer Comps function, like PS?

I want the ability to save Layer Comps in Illustrator because I want to build files that can be output in different states without having to save (and then revise) multiple files that utilize the same basic vectors. In fact, I was very surprised to NOT see this feature as a CS4 update. I really doubt this can be all that difficult for Adobe to implement.

I just tried it out - and can report that it does not work. I have layers which each have four sub-layers. I wanted a view which would turn off visibility of two of the sub-layers, and a view which would turn on all of the sub-layers. I expected it to take into account the absolute current state of all layers at the time of creating the view, and apparently it does not. Because I created the view with all the sub-layers turned on first... and then I proceeded to turn off the two sub-layers of each main layer. After doing this, I saved the second view. When I selected the first view (with everything supposed to be on) it turned on other layers which did not have these sub-layers, but would not turn on the sub-layers I had turned off to make the second view.
I should mention that all the layers I've been dealing with have been locked, but I don't think it should matter. The issue in my case is just one of visibility.
So either it is a bug, or the idea of a View is radically different from the Layer Comp in Photoshop...

PSD Layer Comps and updating links

I love InDesign's ability to show/hide PSD layers in InDesign, and especially to display Layer Comps of PSD files.
But InDesign seems to have trouble "remembering" which layers / Layer Comps to show when updating links.
An example:
Let's say a product exists in 3 versions: black, white and blue.
A PSD contains a productshot in these 3 color versions using some common and some color-specific layers. A Layer Comp with the color name is assigned to each set of layers that displays the according color version.
Now it's easy to place the PSD in InDesign, choose 'Object Layer Options' (which can contain multiple other layers) and set the correct Layer Comp (eg: "blue").
I set 'When Updating Link' to 'Keep Layer Visibility Overrides' to make sure InDesign remembers the correct color when the PSD is edited.
Now you feel the trouble coming… let's say an extra color red should be added. I add the red version (including a 'red' layer comp) to the same PSD and save it.
When updating existing links, InDesign messes up the existing 'Object Layer Options'. The black version will now show blue, etc…
'Layer Comp' in 'Object Layer Options' does actually show 'blue' while it was 'black' before the update.
Removing the red Layer Comp and save the PSD again doesn't restore the correct Layer Comp in InDesign.
I used this feature often, and updating links never caused me any trouble until now.
Is this a bug, or are the update link options not to be trusted (and was I just lucky in the past)…?

Thanks for the clarification!
I guess I was lucky with other files that retained the correct object layer options.
Too bad for this limitation. It makes the whole object layer options feature quiet limited.
I'll add a feature request.

Layer Comp updates sometimes don't stick.. Bug?

I'm finding a really strange and inconsistent bug when managing my Layer Comps. I am dependent on Layer Comps, they're behaving inconsistently in CS6.
When manoeuvering between Layer Comps, the updates I'm making to save a Layer Comp and move on to another are SOMETIMES not working. I set a comp, move to another, go BACK to the original one and it's messed up. Has anyone else seen this? I've got to admit, I'm at a loss. Help!

"Messed up" could mean anything to a non-mindreader. Messed up in what way, exactly?
Maybe you forgot to enable an option as shown below:

BUG: FatalError when exporting layer comps to pdf file in PhotoShop CS6

I've been starting to use the File -> Scripts -> Layer Comps to... frequently--it is great for sharing files with clients.
When I used File -> Scripts -> Layer Comps to Files (type: pdf, "selected layer comps only" with about 6 of 12 comps selected) today I got the following error:
"FatalError: General Photoshop error occurred. This functionality may not be available in this verison of Photoshop. - <no additional information available>"
The only other notification I get for this document is a missing font upon opening, which I do not imagine would be a problem.
I am on the latest version of PhotoShop CS6 as confirmed by my CreativeCloud app.
My MacBook Pro is pretty generously outfitted and updated: OS 10.9 (latest update), 16GB RAM, over 100GB free HD space, 1GB VRAM.
I haven't had a chance to do repeated tests to get it to fail like this again as I'm on a deadline so I had it do the same process but exporting ALL layer comps and I removed the unwanted pages in Acrobat Pro.

So I've found a bit in the script that I think might be it (below). Can I remove that whole bit? Or would changing the 4 to a 0 do the trick (I tried and it didn't do anything)... Sorry, but I'm not a coder so don't really know if I'm barking up the wrong tree or not.
Thanks
for ( compsIndex = 0; compsIndex < compsCount; compsIndex++ ) {
                var compRef = docRef.layerComps[ compsIndex ];
                if (exportInfo.selectionOnly && !compRef.selected) continue; // selected only
                compRef.apply();
                var duppedDocument = app.activeDocument.duplicate();
                var fileNameBody = exportInfo.fileNamePrefix;
                fileNameBody += "_" + zeroSuppress(compsIndex, 4);
                fileNameBody += "_" + compRef.name;
                if (null != compRef.comment)    fileNameBody += "_" + compRef.comment;
                fileNameBody = fileNameBody.replace(/[:\/\\*\?\"\<\>\|\\\r\\\n]/g, "_"); // '/\:*?"<>|\r\n' -> '_'
                if (fileNameBody.length > 120) fileNameBody = fileNameBody.substring(0,120);
                saveFile(duppedDocument, fileNameBody, exportInfo);
                duppedDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);

Layer Comp to Files in CC 2014 is SLLLLOOOOOWWWWW

I updated to CC 2014 from CC when it first was announced but today was the first time I have had to export out my site design via the Layer Comps to File Script that I have loved to use for years. It has saved me so much time when I am working on sites with 20-40 pages. That being said I was startled by the slow speed I noticed instantly with CC 2014.
So I figured I'd do a little test:
My Machine:
15" Macbook Pro running Mac OS 10.8.5
2.6GHZ intel Core i7
16GB 1600mhz DD3
256GB SSD
Using the same 287MB PSD with 24 Layer comps - here are the times to save out each layer comp as a JPG at 8 quality using the script.
CC: 31 Seconds
CC 2014: 3 minutes and 7 Seconds
All my performance settings are identical between the two so I have no idea how it can be a 2.5min difference. I almost feel like I should just default back to CC at this point.
Has any one experience this same thing, or have any clue why CC 2014 it is going so slow compared to CC?
EDIT:
After chatting with a fellow designer, we came to the hunch that it might be do to the new Smart Object Layer comps feature in 2014. Even though I am not using the functionality in my PSD, I would guess PS needs to make that YES/NO check on each and every smart object through out my PSD. I would guess I have 20 or so smart objects. Which I would assume would slow down the process a bit, and when you have 24 times instances of making multiple checks it could add up quickly...
Thanks!

Mine don't even work.

Question on design of new layer comps feature

The new layer comp feature in Photoshop CC 2014 is great. It allows you to access the layer comps within smart objects from another file.
One very important aspect seem to have gone missing though: Imagine you have 1 master document (e.g. website mockup) with several smart objects inside it (e.g. popup menus). Each of the smart objects have layer comps (e.g. folded / unfolded states) that I can access from the master document. Great!
Now I want to save a layer comp in the master object that reconfigures layer comps on the various sub smart objects (e.g. showing menus opened/closed). This doesn't work.
The reason it doesn't work is that a "published" layer comp on a smart object is a property of the smart object. A layer comp can only save visibility/layer styles/position but not properties. So I am forced to manually change the layer comp of all my included smart objects in order to reach the target look of my master document. This makes the feature much less useful.
Am I missing something? It seems like such an obvious feature to have. Have you considered this when you designed the layer comps feature? Will it be an upcoming feature?

I have the exact same problem. I thought this was the whole point of smart objects with layer comp states. Without this feature it seems pointless.
Avoiding having multiple layers is the reason you would use this. Now all we achieve is having smart objects instead of folders. Pretty ridiculous I must say.
It even seemed from the presentation of the "new and improved layer comps" that you could do this. They skip that specific functionality, but it seems implicit in the presentation.
Other thing is that the update position, style and visibility are buggy as hell. And another obvious feature of updating text-fields is missing as well.
So we have to find plugins to help us. BUT cc 2014 doesnt allow for flash plugins and no HTML5 plugins are available. Thank you Adobe!

Can I place a smart object and specify a layer comp?

I have many buttons, each as a layer comp, in a single file.
I do this because there are many common elements: layers for the button base, shared features, button gloss, etc.
What changes is the icon on the button, and possibly a supporting label.
I want to place these buttons on objects in other files.
So, I'd like to Place the file as a smart object AND SPECIFY THE LAYER COMP for the proper button.
Anybody?
Or maybe there is another approach?
Much obliged!
Dave

I'm on CC on a Mac.
What 21 is talking about is making some sense.
I am able to create new smart object via copy, then create a variation on the original file linked in the parent smart object. Then I save that from illustrator with a different file name. Then I go back to photoshop and replace contents of the new smart object, linking it to the newer illustrator file.
This gets around the problem, but it takes a few more steps than the same thing did it in earlier versions of photoshop.

Photoshop error when changing layer comps

I have photoshop cs5 and trial version cs6,
in both of them i get an error msg "Could not complete your request because the result would be too big" when i change the layer comp,
I've tried to update it to the latest version, but still no work.
what may be the solution?
thanks.

I've never seen that error myself. If you have a way to avoid it, might be best to just do that.

Can I change PS layer comps to a single PDF?

I have a print project and it's easier to create it in photoshop then InDesign. It will be a booklet and printed digitally. They only accept PDFs. My question is can I turn my psd layer comps into
a single PDF for the printer?

J thanks for the tip. That works but not for my need. I want to export my layer comps as single pdf not contact sheet. Print quality. I read this elsewhere:
• Create an InDesign document.
• File>Place.
• Check, Show Import Options
• In that dialog box, Layers>Layer Comps. (specify which Layer Comp)
Do this for all your pages. Your Layer comps are Linked and can be easily updated or edited.
• Save document
• File>Export to create a multi page pdf.
This is perfect but seems buggy it works with some layer comps on others it doesn't show the correct one.

Automating the filename prefix in Layer Comps to files...

Hi All
I'm hoping someone can help me with some automation. I have no real clue about scripting, I just know that clever things can be done, hopefully someone could point me in the right direction!
I'm superimposing some t-shirt designs onto images of blank t-shirts.
Each different colour T-shirt (15 colours) is on an individual layer, so I have 15 layers.
So to create 15 images of a given t-shirt design (one image for each colour shirt) I need to:
1) Import a design onto the top layer
2) Update all 15 layer comps
3) Hit the 'Layer Comps to Files' button
4) Put a unique identifier into the filename prefix field
5) Go to 1)
So I guess my question is this:
Can I automate any more of this? For example can I have the filename prefix pulled in from the Layer name? So I'd just name the top layer (with the design on) and PS would pull that layer name into the filename prefix field?
And can I update all those layer comps automatically (when I put the next design on) rather than selecting each one and updating manually?
Any help appreciated from a scripting novice!
Kind Regards
Mark

If you turn the top layer with the design into a smart layer then manually update the layer comps once and save the file as a template you can then use the menu item Layer-Smart Object-Replace Cotents... to change out the design in a way that would no longer require updating the layer comps. Changing the content of a smart object does not effect the layer comp status like adding a new layer would.
In the Layer Comps to Files.jsx if you find the line
var fileNameBody = exportInfo.fileNamePrefix;
and replace it with
var fileNameBody = app.activeDocument.layers[0].name;// top layer name
The script will no longer use the prefix from the dialog and instead use the top layer's name as the prefix.
To automate the whole process would require creating a custom script. The Layer Comps to Files script was not written to be called from another script.

Trying to figure out Layer Comps

I recently found out about Layer Comps, and I'm trying to use them. Does anyone have a pointer to documentation that'll tell me what they can and CAN'T do?
Here's my situation... Normal image, go into PS from LR and do my "normal" editing. When I'm done I have my have dozen layers. I do a Merge Visible, then
realize I want a Layer Comp of the image without the Merge Visible. So, I create one with the Merge Visible layer turned off.
Then, I go back and turn on that layer, then do a free Transform and shorten the image so it'll fit an 11x14 the way I want... It started 4288 pixels high and I shortened it about 3-400 pixels.
Create ANOTHER Layer Comp.
Then, I look at it and decide I'd like a black & white version so I put a B&W layer on the image. Adjust and when I'm done, create a third layer comp.....
Looking at the image I realize I'm gong to need a small version for the website, so I turn off the b&w layer, crop again to 1024x768 and create a final layer comp.....
But, once I think about it, I realize I should do my crop to 1024x768 from the image PRIOR to the shortening to fit the 11x14, so I go back and activate the first layer comp I
created, that SHOULD just have my original, basic layers... Which is appears to, BUT the image is shortened. It appears that my cropping or using the Free Transform
to alter the image IS NOT undone when I go back to the earlier Layer Comp...
All the stuff I've read so far just tells me how to create one, copy it, and delete it. But I haven't found the information the enables me to use the Layer Comp to move back in time
so I can crop in multiple shapes and things like that... Am I expecting something from the Layer Comp that it can't do, or am I doing something incorrectly?
I'll keep playing to see if I stumble on the answer, but I figured I'd ask the experts in here.

davepinminn wrote:
Are the snapshots in History persistent across sessions?
No...
There are useful tutorials on how to use Layers Comps out there...but the bottom line is Layer Comps store the state of visibility of a certain set of layers/groups. Ig you change the layers or groups by adding/deleting layers/groups, you'll need to update the saved layer comps you made. Try right-clicking on the layer comp to update a saved comp based on changes made to the various layers/groups that existed when you made the comp. Yes, it's a brain teaser…none of this stuff is "easy" until you leaner how they are supposed to behave (and then learn how to take advantage of the functionality provided).

Nested layers and Layer comps

A couple of things I would like to see is better layer control.
At the moment, I use nested layers the same as I use layer groups in Photoshop. ie I put all the element for the front of a label in a layer called 'Front label'. And this works great, however when I reopen the document, the layer palette looks like a mess because Illustrator has expanded all the layers!!
I would be really useful if the Illustrator could remember the layer state of the layer view.
Since we work in the packaging design industry for a brand which operates in a number of countries. We have the same pack but with different language clusters. It would be great to have a layer comp feature which works like layer comps in Photoshop. And to be able to export the different layer comps as separate files.

A couple of things I would like to see is better layer control.
At the moment, I use nested layers the same as I use layer groups in Photoshop. ie I put all the element for the front of a label in a layer called 'Front label'. And this works great, however when I reopen the document, the layer palette looks like a mess because Illustrator has expanded all the layers!!
I would be really useful if the Illustrator could remember the layer state of the layer view.
Since we work in the packaging design industry for a brand which operates in a number of countries. We have the same pack but with different language clusters. It would be great to have a layer comp feature which works like layer comps in Photoshop. And to be able to export the different layer comps as separate files.

Does Photoshop CS5, 6, or CC allow slicing with layer comps?

I love the layer comps feature. It's a huge time saver and allows me to keep my files sizes smaller.
One thing I just noticed since I normal hand off my PSDs to a developer is that the slices don't save with each layer comp. Is there any way to make this possible with CS5, 6, or CC even? It'd be a huge time saver and really helpful. I currently use CS5 at work, but I have CC at home.
Thanks for your help!
-Joe

Personally, if I were in your shoes I would subscribe to the CC photographer bundle. It sounds like you're really ready to jump into it with a great new camera so why learn and work in an outdated application?
Don't get me wrong . . . I have CS5 also, but I got the photographer bundle because it's such a great deal and I love always having the very latest version of PS. I should also emphasize that the bundle includes Lightroom, which will be invaluable to you as a photographer.
In summary, PS CS5 is still a great app but it's reached "end of life." Photoshop CC on the other hand is always being updated . . . at no extra cost. Camera Raw for PS CC, for example, is currently at v. 8.7.1. Whenever you might read about some great new feature in PS you can check it out at lynda.com and rest assured that you will have access to it when you update. There is one caveat: you don't say what you have for a computer and OS but you want to be sure to check system requirements for PS CC: System requirements | Photoshop

Updating Layer Comps in Illustrator

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