How do you like to use Layers in InDesign?

[mistercitizen]

I am aware of what layers do, and obviously use them in PShop, but am unclear as to any instance in which I can utilise this feature to my advantage.

Coming from Quark, it just seems that a Layers function is not essential to a page layout application.

How do you guys use Layers in InDesign, and how might I use this feature to my advantage?

Thanks!

 

[jimoblak]

Quark 5 and 6 use layers. Quark 4 had an optional XT to handle layers. How could one come from Quark without experience with layers?

Layers can be used for multi-lingual documents.

Suppose that you want an element on a master page to appear above regular page content, you would put this master item on a top layer in your master page.

Layers are good for recreating layouts. Drop a scan of an old document on a bottom layer and compose fresh elements on an upper layer. Visibility of the lower template layer can be turned on and off with ease.

You can also put printing/proofing notes on a dedicated layer that can be turned on and off.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[Genimuse]

I use them for... well, layers of document elements.

My primary use: If the page has a background graphic or color, for example, I put that on its own layer and then lock the layer -- now I'll never accidentally select it, move it, or anything else. I can click the visibility icon to make it vanish, too, if it's visually interfering with what I'm working on at the moment.

In addition I sometimes have other items on the page that I'm satisfied with and would like locked with the potential of turning them on and off. I also like how the outline colors are different, depending on the layer, so I can see what goes with what.

They're certainly more useful in Photoshop or drawing applications like Illustrator and FreeHand, but they're still handy in ID.

 

[mistercitizen]

Jimbo: I leapt from using Quark 4 (and 3 point-something) to using ID CS.

"You can also put printing/proofing notes on a dedicated layer that can be turned on and off."

Why doesn't ID have a "notes" function like Pshop? Very handy thing.

Thanks for you points - I guess I've gotten by for solong without them, that I never really missed that functionality.

 

[graphic]

i use to keep my font in document...
on one layer, i have my fonts document
on the other, the outlined doc...

 

[mistercitizen]

^^^

Good idea!

 

[dabob]

Oh let me count the ways . . . just recently I had to do a job with six colors, a dull varnish, a spot UV gloss plates just a whole raft of things . . . in order to see where the "varnish and UV" plates were I made a special color brite yello for the UV and brite red for the varnish and would set the attribute to overprint - being on top of the images and work it was a little tough to see through them . . . . layers worked so that I could work on the job and then see if the varnish/UV plates fit - I think you see what I mean . . . also for variations on a theme . . .different regional information difficult stacking orders etc.and the list goes on but then I'm a guy who starts out with 100 layers in my freehand documents too!!

 

[mistercitizen]

^^^

On hundred layers in your Freehand documents!! What are you, some sort of map-drawing and diagram maniac?!

(thanks for the tips)

 

[dabob]

Well a hundred is true but when I start I only count up by 10's but there is a hundred availabe to slip one inbetwen if I have to and yes I have been know to draw the seating arrangements for concert halls, out door amphitheaters complete with trees vendor booths and a bazillion other objects that without layers would be unmanagageable