Exporting Layers to Files

I have a file which is a button and then around 150 layers of different text
for each button needed for a site. When using File/Export and the "Layers to
Files" option it exports the blank button and then all of the text layers with
a transparent background.

How can I export all of the layers but with the button layer used as a master
to create a background for all of the other layers?

Marcus,

I assume that the button graphic only appears on one layer and that only text
is placed on the other layers, because that will produce the outcome you have
described.

Layers can be shared across pages or across Frames (CS3) / States (CS4), but
when you place an object on the "bottom" layer it will appear to be behind
every layer "above" it without actually being on that layer. When you export
layers to pages, you get only what is actually on each layer.

You should use Frames / States to create your buttons, not just Layers. Draw
your button graphic on one Layer, then share that layer across all Frames /
States (if you are using CS3 or lower, it is in the panel's context menu; if
you are using CS4, you can right-click and share from the context menu.) Then
go into the Frames / States panel and create a new frame for each button label
and put a different text object on each Frame / State. Since you shared the
button graphic layer to each Frame / State, the button label text will appear
on a button graphic on each Frame.

When you export, make sure you select Frames / States to Files, and you will
get a separate file for each button.

(I think there are some extensions / commands available to distribute Layers
to Frames / States, so this could save you the time and effort of having to
copy or re-type your button labels on separate Frames / States. Unfortunately I
don't have a link for you. Sorry!)

dhogue wrote:
> Marcus,
>
> I assume that the button graphic only appears on one layer and that only text
> is placed on the other layers, because that will produce the outcome you have
> described.
>
> Layers can be shared across pages or across Frames (CS3) / States (CS4), but
> when you place an object on the "bottom" layer it will appear to be behind
> every layer "above" it without actually being on that layer. When you export
> layers to pages, you get only what is actually on each layer.
>
> You should use Frames / States to create your buttons, not just Layers. Draw
> your button graphic on one Layer, then share that layer across all Frames /
> States (if you are using CS3 or lower, it is in the panel's context menu; if
> you are using CS4, you can right-click and share from the context menu.) Then
> go into the Frames / States panel and create a new frame for each button label
> and put a different text object on each Frame / State. Since you shared the
> button graphic layer to each Frame / State, the button label text will appear
> on a button graphic on each Frame.
>
> When you export, make sure you select Frames / States to Files, and you will
> get a separate file for each button.
>
> (I think there are some extensions / commands available to distribute Layers
> to Frames / States, so this could save you the time and effort of having to
> copy or re-type your button labels on separate Frames / States. Unfortunately I
> don't have a link for you. Sorry!)
>
>
John Dunning has a ton of cool extensions. Mostly written for CS3, but
they may also work for CS4.

http://johndunning.com/fireworks/

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