Learn in this article,
- how to show and hide layers,
- how to reduce multiple layers to one layer,
- how to delete layers with content, and
- how to flatten a Print Item to the displayed content and crop to the visible area.
1. Introduction
In PDF files, layers can be used to logically group specific content, providing an easy way to process it separately from other content. However, the potential of layers in PDF files extends far beyond simply showing or hiding content.
2. General
The below listed Fixups are located in the Manage Layers selection menu [1], which you can find in the footer of the Document Information and Custom Fields area in the Print Data tab [2]. In addition, the corrections are also located in the Data Preparation tab [3].
With the Fixups of this Fixup Group, existing layers can be shown, hidden or deleted. Furthermore, the content of existing layers can be flattened and cropped. Find more Fixups concerning this topic by selecting the Category Layer as well as the Hide, Show, Create, Delete and Merge Action in the Data Preparation tab. The newly created objects can be placed on known and new layers - especially when creating a Spot Color Separation (White, Varnish, etc.) as well as when creating Dielines of any kind.
Figure 1: Snippet of the Print Data tab with opened Manage Layers menu.
3. Fixups of this Fixup Group
There are currently five Fixups available in the Fixup Group Manage Layers. The Fixups are briefly described below.
3.1. Flatten Layers
The aim of this Fixup is to flatten the currently visible content to one layer. Therefore, currently hidden layers are deleted along with their content, the currently visible content is moved to one layer, and all layers are removed.
Figure 2: The dialog of the Fixup Flatten Layers
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.2. Hide Selected Layers
The aim of the Fixup is to hide certain layers with the objects on the layers and thereby to change the appearance of the Print Item. Note that it's only the layer that is hidden - the objects on the layer remain in the PDF.
Figure 3: The dialog of the Fixup Hide Selected Layers
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.3. Make Selected Layers Visible
The aim of the Fixup is to make certain layers with the objects on them visible. Thereby, the appearance of the Print Items should be changed. Note that by showing the layer, all objects on this layer become visible again. It's not possible to make individual objects visible with this Fixup.
Figure 4: The dialog of the Fixup Make Selected Layers Visible
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.4. Remove Layers and crop to the visible area
The aim of the Fixup is to delete certain layers with all objects on them and to crop the contents of the Print Item to the visible area including a Safety Margin. Whether this changes the appearance of the Print Item depends on whether the deleted layers were shown or hidden. The size of the Print Item (Media or Crop Box) will, in most cases, be changed by performing the Fixup.
Figure 5: The dialog of the Fixup Remove Layers and crop to the visible area
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
3.5. Remove Selected Layers
The aim of this Fixup is to delete certain layers with all objects on them. Whether this changes the appearance of the Print Item depends on whether the deleted layers were shown or hidden. Please note that deleting a layer also deletes all objects on the layer in the PDF.
Figure 6: The dialog of the Fixup Remove Selected Layers
For information on how it works and a description with a corresponding sample file, please refer to the description.
Article update: Workflow 1.21.0 – 07/2025