You can work in outline or preview mode using the main menu View ➤ Outline/Preview (Ctrl/CMD+Y). This makes it easier to select items behind other items.
Or for a single layer, uncheck the preview in the Layers dialog box or from the Layers panel; Ctrl/CMD+Click the eye to toggle the visibility and outline. Refer to Figure 8-16 and Figure 8-19.
Figure 8-19. View all or selected layers in Outline mode and how they appear on the artboard and Layers panel
If you want the top layer or sublayer to be the clipping mask or path for a sublayer in the following, while the top layer and object sublayer <path> are selected, use the make/ release clipping mask icon to make the mask/path. Refer to Figure 8-20 and Figure 8-21.
Figure 8-20. Select a path and use the Layers panel to turn it into a clipping mask
Figure 8-21. Clipping mask/path settings as they appear on the artboard and in the Layers panel
However, if you click the icon again to release the clipping mask path, it will not change back to its past blue color, only a path with no fill or stroke. So, Edit➤Undo Ctrl/ CMD+Z or use the History panel if that was not your intent. Refer to Figure 8-22.
Figure 8-22. Clipping mask/path does not return to the original color fill if released
If your object upon becoming a clipping path/mask does not have the same name as mine <Clipping path>, another indication that it is a clipping path/mask is that the name becomes underlined. Refer to Figure 8-21.
The other icon on the lower left is Collect for Export which works with the Asset Export panel, and we will explore this further in Volume 3. Refer to Figure 8-23.
Figure 8-23. Lower Layers panel button icon Collect for Export
Note While we will not go through all the options in the Layers panel menu, I will just point out that it does contain additional options for entering and exiting isolation mode, flattening artwork to a single layer, and collecting artwork in a new layer, as well as more hide/show and lock layers options. Refer to Figure 8-24.
Figure 8-24. Additional options found in the Layers Panel menu
Tip Use the Layers Menu Panel Options dialog box if you need to enlarge the size of your Row Size “Layer” in the panel by changing it from the default Medium to Large and click OK. Refer to Figure 8-25.
Figure 8-25. Layers Panel Options dialog box you can decrease or increase the layer size