Table of Contents
How to work on multiple layers with Combine to LayerTroubleshooting Combine to LayerTo learn the basic principles of Combine to Layer, we recommend you read the 'Combine to Layer: Controlling overprinting layers' article. Once you have mastered the basics, you can begin to work on several layers at the same time, increasing productivity by achieving the results you needs faster.
How to work on multiple layers with Combine to Layer
Surfaces
- Activate the first layer you want to edit.
- Open the Combine to Layer Window and click Make.
- Activate the second layer you want to edit, and click Make. Both layers will now have a preview icon on them in the Layers Palette.
You will now be able to work on these two layers simultaneously, simply by activating the relevant layer in the Layers Palette as you work.
A great example of adjusting several layers at the same time, is building a bevelled edge in to a separation. The image below shows information from the Shadow layer being added to the active layer (in this case, Layer 3), and information from the Highlight layer being removed from this layer, resulting in a bevelled edge appearance to the separation. 
Once the overprint has been perfectly balanced across all layers, active each layer individually, and click Fix Layer at the bottom of the Combine to Layer Window. The Shadow and Highlight layer can then be removed from the Layers Palette by activating both layers, and clicking on the bin icon at the top of the Layers Palette. 
Textiles
- Activate the first layer you want to edit.
- Open the Combine to Layer Window and click Make.
- Activate the second layer you want to edit, and click Make. Both layers will now have a preview icon on them in the Layers Palette.
A great example of adjusting several layers at the same time, is balancing the overprint between the design layers and the background layer. The image below shows information being removed from the background layer, where some of the other layers overprint it, creating a tonal effect. 
Once the overprint has been perfectly balanced across all layers, active each layer individually, and click Fix Layer at the bottom of the Combine to Layer Window. If the resulting effect means you can remove one or more of the layers from the document, activate the relevant layers in the Layers Palette and clicking on the bin icon at the top of the window. 
Wallpaper
- Activate the first layer you want to edit.
- Open the Combine to Layer Window and click Make.
- Activate the second layer you want to edit, and click Make. Both layers will now have a preview icon on them in the Layers Palette.
A great example of adjusting several layers at the same time, is reducing the number of layers in a design to the typical 6 layers used in the production of wallpaper. In this example, layers 1 and 3 could be combined to a single layer, as could layers 4 and 7, and 5 and 6. This would mean we could remove layers 3, 6 and 7, whilst keeping all of the tonal information needed in the design. 
Note: If the layers you want to remove are not together in the Layers Palette, hold down ⇧ (shift key) and click on the individual pencil icons to active the layers.
Then click on the bin icon at the top of the Layers Palette. 
Troubleshooting Combine to Layer
If Combine to Layer is not working as expected, you may have forgotten to press 'Make' at the bottom window first. Therefore, activate the layer you want to edit (click on its pencil icon in the Layers Palette) and then click the Make button in the Combine to Layer Window. A preview icon will appear on the layer chip in the Layers Palette.
Also check that no other layers are active. If more than one layer is active in the Layers Palette, the Combine to Layer Window will be empty.
Use the keyboard shortcut ⌘D to ensure no hidden selections are in the file.