Adobe InDesign Layers and Object Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A designer has placed several objects on different layers. What happens if they select all of these objects and choose the `Object > Group` command?

Accepted Answer

All selected objects are moved to the layer of the topmost selected object and then grouped together.

Answer

The objects are grouped but remain on their original layers.

Answer

A dialog box appears, asking the user to choose a destination layer for the group.

Answer

InDesign prevents grouping of objects that reside on different layers.

Question 2

You need to place instructional notes and temporary guides on your document that are visible on screen for collaboration but must NOT be included in the final exported PDF or printout. What is the most reliable method to achieve this?

Accepted Answer

Create a new layer for the notes, and in the 'Layer Options' dialog box, deselect the 'Print Layer' checkbox.

Answer

Place all notes on the pasteboard outside the page boundaries.

Answer

Select each note object and apply the 'Nonprinting' attribute from the Attributes panel.

Answer

Change the color of the notes to a custom spot color and set it to not print in the Ink Manager.

Question 3

A designer selects a single object on 'Layer 2' and uses the command `Object > Arrange > Send to Back`. The document contains objects on 'Layer 1' (below) and 'Layer 3' (above). Where will the object now be located?

Accepted Answer

At the bottom of the stacking order within its current layer, 'Layer 2'.

Answer

At the very bottom of the stacking order on Layer 1.

Answer

At the bottom of the stacking order for the entire document, behind all objects.

Answer

The object will be moved to the layer named 'Back'.

Question 4

To simplify a complex Layers panel, a designer selects three adjacent layers ('Illustrations', 'Text', and 'Background') and chooses 'Merge Layers' from the panel menu. What is the result of this action?

Accepted Answer

All objects from the three layers are combined onto the bottommost selected layer ('Background').

Answer

All objects from the three layers are combined onto the topmost selected layer ('Illustrations').

Answer

The objects are grouped together but their layer assignments are preserved.

Answer

A new, merged layer is created, and the original three layers are deleted.

Question 5

You have finalized the position of a background graphic and want to prevent it from being accidentally moved or selected while you work on text frames located on the same layer. What is the most precise method to achieve this?

Accepted Answer

Choose `Object > Lock` while the background graphic is selected.

Answer

Make the entire layer containing the background graphic unselectable.

Answer

Move the background graphic to a master page.

Answer

Choose `Object > Hide` to make the background graphic temporarily disappear.

Question 6

In the Layers panel, how can a user quickly select all the objects that reside on a specific, unlocked layer, regardless of their position on the page or spread?

Accepted Answer

Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and click the layer's name in the panel.

Answer

Double-click the layer's name in the panel.

Answer

Right-click the layer and choose 'Select All Objects'.

Answer

Click the small colored square to the right of the layer name.