To Work with the Layer List in the Layers Palette

Sort the layer list by name or by a property setting. Reduce the number of layers listed by using search. Create and manage layer groups.

  1. Click Format menu > Layers.

Sort the Layer List

Change the Column Display

Filter Layers by Name Search

  1. In the Layers palette, click in the Search for Layer box.
  2. Enter a string of characters, including wild-card characters.

    For example, if you want to list all the layers that include the letters mech in their names, enter *mech*.

The following wildcards are available:
Character Definition
* (asterisk) Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search string
? (question mark) Matches any single character; for example, ?BC matches ABC, 3BC, and so on
Note: To list all the layers again, clear the Search for Layer box.

Create a Layer Group Based on Layer Properties

  1. In the Layers palette, click New Dynamic Layer Group.
  2. In the New Dynamic Group dialog, enter a name for the group.
  3. Specify the rules as follows:
    • To group by Name, select Name, the match criteria, and enter the match value.
    • To group by property, select the property and the property state.
    • To group using logical AND rules, click .
    • To group using logical OR rules, click

In this example, the dynamic layer group includes:

Create a Layer Group by Selecting Layers

  1. In the Layers palette, click New Layer Group.
  2. Enter a name for the layer group.
  3. Drag the layers from the layer list to the layer group.
Note: Layers are listed in both the groups they belong to and the full layer list.

Remove a Layer From a Layer Group

Remove a Layer Group

Display Layer Groups

  1. In the Layers palette, click Display Settings.
  2. Select from the available group display options.