Hi
Is there a complexity/size limitation on master layers?
Normally whatever is created/ imported off the drawing page in a multi page
document is there on all pages and I simply duplicate (left click-drag-right
click) the item into selected drawing pages (headers etc). On complex documents I find
that anything created/imported off the page is not there on other pages. If
I create directly onto the master page desktop the item appears across the
board but when I duplicate onto the drawing page the duplication turns up on
every other drawing page in the document,
I've worked around the problem to a certain extent by pasting but it's not
really satisfactory.
Help would be appreciated - I'm obviously missing something quite simple...probably some brain cells...

Thanks, Colin

Hi Colin

By default the Master Layers Guides, Desktop & Grid are nonprintable. These layers are supporting layers to place the objects that help you make the job easier. As you say, if the object is placed on a desktop layer, it is seen on all pages because Desktop is set to be a default master layer. If you want, you can create a your own custom master layer to work with.

Any thing created or imported in corelDRAW is placed on the active layer. Chances are there that your active layer was Desktop. Another thing to remember is that whatever that is placed or imported out of the page border is placed on desktop automatically. This can be eliminated by putting off "Show page border" option.

colin frajbis:

Normally whatever is created/ imported off the drawing page in a multi page document is there on all pages and I simply duplicate (left click-drag-right click) the item into selected drawing pages (headers etc).

As I mentioned earlier, the object that is on desktop layer, if duplicated while the desktop layer is active, then it will be placed on desktop and will be seen on all pages.

colin frajbis:

On complex documents I find that anything created/imported off the page is not there on other pages. If I create directly onto the master page desktop the item appears across the board but when I duplicate onto the drawing page the duplication turns up on every other drawing page in the document,

I never use the Desktop layer to place objects for my final artwork. I use it as a support layer to make it easier to copy/paste the objects on pages. In short my final file never have any objects placed on the desktop layer.

Hi Anand

Thanks for replying so quickly. I fear I may not have made myself clear. I've been employing master layers to faciliate my work on multipage documents for some years and never had a problem with it before. My active layer is never  the desktop -only when I'm setting document guidelines.

My problem is that on a couple of booklets I'm working on at the moment (32 and 48 pages respectively), anything I place "off the page" isn't appearing on other pages. For instance if I drag a header off the drawing on one (active) page , and put it to one side (on the desktop) the header is not registering on other pages.

If I start a very simple multipage document from scratch; say a square, on the page,  on page 1 and a circle, off the page, on page 2, the circle appears on both pages and the square on only one, as it should. Hence my initial question regarding limitations on complexity.

Finally I never leave objects on the desktop layer for my final artwork but delete them. But they're incredibly useful when building the artwork.

All the best, Colin

I face a similar issue too.

I'm working on a book, and I want to put a same background picture on certain pages (I didvided the book into a few sections accordingly).

One option is to set the page background and embeded the picture from the local disk. This doesn't work well for me because I need to go back to the original file to edit it and reset the background when necessary.

I tried to import the picture and put it in the master layer but it doesn't show up in every page, and it blocks certain layers on my active page. Sometimes, after I drag the picture to the master layer, it will jump back to the original page when I switch pages.

In CD13 all layers were maintained in their relative position from page to page and if the position of a layer relative to another was changed ( e.g. master layer background image was moved below master layer dieline) this would be reflected throughout the document. In CD13 if I repositioned a variable layer it's position would change in relationship as well so one could create an address layer, that would have different content on each page, but would remain in the same relative hierarchy position to say the master layer logo.  In CD14 this is not the case, layers have become page isolated, even to the point that renaming a layer is not reflected throughout the document.  The net result is that the layer function does not work for a multipage document.   CD13 layers worked.  CD14 layers do not.  

I am afraid Michael that you cannot achieve your master image position in CD14 until Corel fixes the problem. Your work around is visiting each page and labourisly and manually ensure each layer is in the same relative position on each page, and each layer has the properties (ie visible, print etc) set consistently the same on each page. 

Or you can use CD13, or InDesign both of which have layers that work correctly in a multipage document environment.

 Hi Maddog

 You say, in CD14 the master layer doesn't work. My experience is that it stops working after the multi document reaches about 20MB. It works before that,  but of course a 20MB cut off isn't much use, Hence my initial question in the first post here, "Is there a complexity/size limitation on master layers?"

I produce a number of multipage documents and being able to 'store' items on the desktop for use on selected pages is very important. Do you know if Corel have any plans to rectify the situation. I'd rather not use CD13 as it would mean I've a lot of CD14 objects that would need re formating.

Thanks, Colin

Hi Colin;

I am not aware of any decision by Corel to restore the proper functionality of the layers manager.  There appears to be a political decision overriding the practical requirement(s) for a layer management scheme that is in keeping with standard digital document workflows that Corel helped to establish. Sadly we having to back track to CD13 and are adivising our clients and contract artists to avoid CD13 until this foundation function is corrected and restored.

As per your specific issue, a shot in the dark.... is it possible to create a master layer for each individual object, and enable the specific layer as required per page ? Pain for sure, but maybe that will allow you to break the 20mb threshold. 

Maddog4U

 Thanks Maddog

I have actually noticed a slightly different layers issue (or perhaps this is just a conscious "change"). I have probably only noticed because I don't use layers to the extent that many other users do... So let me give you the X3 and X4 differences...

X3
Create a new file and open the Object Manager. Draw a rectangle on the page. Now import another CDR into the document.. Look at the object manager and see that the rectangle and imported elements are all on Layer 1.

X4
Create a new file and open the Object Manager. Draw a rectangle on the page. Now import another CDR into the document.. Look at the object manager and see that the rectangle will be on layer 1, but the imported elements are on a new layer.

I wouldn't say this has caused a huge problem, but I work on pages that sometimes have 6 to 8 imported files (small ads on a page). I'm used to working with all of these objects on one layer, all grouped, and now I have 8 or more layers.

I don't know if that was all a decision or an oversight. Just didn't know if it had been mentioned before.

you can turn that off yet this is as designed. Importing old files will retain layer intergrity unless stated otherwise. This is a bit confusing at first see attached import dialog. un check maintain layers and pages will result in X3 behavior

That is a very good point. Thanks for pointing that out. In fact, I've been recently unchecking that box so that the imported files will come in grouped, which is another X4 change I've mentioned in these forums.

It's just a little odd to me that the same import checkbox works differently between X3 and X4. Not trying to complain at all... I just don't like the idea of "checked" in X3 and "unchecked" in X4 yielding the same results. And to be fair, it actually does make sense to do it that way... I'm just sometimes slow to accept changes.

as we all are :P

I'm with both hands for old layer scheme, why I should work with X3 or 12 version for multiple page documents? Its one document, can't You get it? So there should be the same layer system for every page in document! The current X4 system is just like every page is different file... Its really an oversight from corel engineers :(

Armands:

So there should be the same layer system for every page in document!

That's the use of Master layer.

Armands:

The current X4 system is just like every page is different file...

This gives a huge flexibility when working on multiple pages document. In fact a similar feature was already available in X3.

With all respect, "huge flexibility" will be when users decide, which system to use...

Its ok, that every page CAN have own layers... And I don't need master layer, becouse I need one and the same layer, say, for certain shapes only, in every page, but with different content. I'm working with layers to have my work ORGINIZED, ARRANGED in one system. I have certain shapes, certain text etc, each in own layer, arranged in the same maner in every page, so as it should be in one DOCUMENT. So when I'm working with text, I'm activate my layer "text", probably few other layers and I need that this current layer and all others attributes like "on/off" have been activated on EVERY page, on which I switched. But for now, in each page the state of layers can be different - thats the thing, which makes Me mad... becouse its easy to made mistakes and have certain objects coped on wrong layers, which probably is switched not for print.

Anyway, I have simple idea, how to turn it right..

In "Object Manager window", You can switch on "Layer manager view", right? So why the changes made in this view can't be applied to all pages, not only on current? There can be problems for coders like "what to do with 3rd layer in page 45, if all others have only 2 layers", but somehow it could be managed out.

Thanks for attention!