I'm chiming in to agree with others, please don't say this feature is completed. I need the ability to organize layers without grouping objects at the same time. The long list of individual items makes it really hard to find a particular element.

My layers or symbols pallet doesn't appear when I open the program. How do i get them?

@Alicia: please check out https://adobexd.uservoice.com/forums/353007/suggestions/13031847-sticky-fixed-elements-in-scrolling-artboards

I'm looking for a way to create a fixed layer that will stay fixed while the rest of the content scrolls. Is this possible?

Hi Ron,

I appreciate the honest feedback. Our goal from the very start has been to help streamline workflows in XD, with respect to screen design. As we developed Layers in XD, we worked closely with the community which consists of several other passionate and enthusiastic designers like you and your team.

From your list above, I see you work with Illustrator and have suggestions on how XD could mimic or borrow the same experience. Every app including Illustrator and Photoshop have different goals and problems they are trying to solve and very often approach the same challenge very differently to suit the needs of their respective users. At XD we tried to build the best experience based on the feedback from our community.

We absolutely value feedback and always look for opportunities to improve. Hence I would like to extend an invitation to you and your team to jump onto a quick call with me. Let's discuss what challenges and suggestions you have. A quick 30 min call will go a long way in helping us build the right experience for the design community.

Thank you
Jonathan Pimento
Product Manager XD

Elaine, this is not a Layers Panel. It is a list of objects. There is nothing layers-like about it. Please do not consider it a completed feature. Unlike Isaac, I do not actually see where you're trying to go with this panel. Could you please share a scenario where this panel is useful? I am truly flummoxed. XD is so amazing in so many ways.

I see where you're trying to go with layers, and I think the contextual approach is the right one. Few thoughts so far after using them:

1) Need the ability to create layers & groups manually as this gives greater flexibility over how you can use them. The idea that every object is its own layer is not always desirable, as this creates a paradox where you need to create a vast amount of folders for your layers panel to be scannable which actually lowers the speed at which you can select and move objects directly on your canvas (as you seemingly end up needing to CMD click + Shift all the time).

2. Colour coding would be nice.

3. Perhaps bolding the root of the selected group would make it stand out. On high contrast monitors the white isn't always immediately noticeable.

4. Converting a named layer item to a symbol should ensure the symbol keeps that name.

5. Ability to collapse all.

I think you've got a solid foundation, but I see myself wanting to use layers in more flexible ways.

InDesign shows elements per spread within a layer, but it also lets you have layers span any number of pages, master pages, and even parenting master pages.

I'm aware that this is a beta, but the team kind of made a big deal about the layers palette, and reimagining it. And that it is different from other layers palettes we know. So I don't really know if the feature is finished or not. It's not so much the per artboard that gets me, as the apparent inability to create a layer at all, let alone a layer that spans artboards. It seems more like a list of elements than a palette of layers.

I am clearly missing something though. If someone could explain a scenario for the layers palette as it is now, I would greatly appreicate it. I'm just not understanding how it is a useful tool.

@Ron, this is still a beta application, so this is not "all they are making for layers" - it's beta. But a good beta, I might add.

I do like the way the layers panel only shows the actual artboard content (much like InDesign I might add).

Maybe the suggestion would be to have a layers panel preference of "display per artboard" or "display per document"?

New layers palette = not great.

[Small problem] First, I use a 32" monitor and the palettes I use are always on the right. Even yours are on the right. Except the new layers and symbols. PLEASE let me move them to the right with everything else (like every other Adobe program). Toolbar on the left is fine because you never have to look at it — just use the shortcuts to switch tools.

[Big Problem] But much, much, much worse, is the way this layers palette works. I don't understand how this came to be. For example, one of the things I do all the time is put specifications for the developers on a separate layer. Then, with one click, I turn them off to export for the product managers and other stakeholders. Or turn them on when I'm working with them — document wide! What am I missing? I can't even seem to create a new layer. Each item appears to be its own "layer." To select lots of objects, I can click on each one in the list or I can click on each one on the artboard — same thing which is saving me zero time. Or can I can group them, but the layers palette just shows me the group. It is saving zero time for me to select the group of objects by clicking on the group in the layers palette vs. clicking on the group on the artboard. Am I missing something? Is this basically a new but painful way to temporarily hide things instead of the speedy shortcut in Illustrator?

And can I not have objects from different artboards be in the same layer? What's the deal?

I have viewed your 30 second tutorial several times but just don't understand this new palette. XD has so many great features. I can't express how disappointed I am with this implementation. If this is all you're making for layers, in all seriousness — I'll be moving back to Illustrator or looking at Sketch.

Might as well take layers out of After effects and Photoshop. Why doesn't XD have layers? I'm staying on Sketch.

well this feature is provided in recent updates with grouping the layers (cmd + G) and then (cmd+ L) to lock

I would be able to switch from Sketch if there was a way to see layers.

Another vote for a layers panel. It is what is missing from other interaction design apps and is much needed!

The feature is coming along... Things I'd like to see next:
- Being able to click/drag to reorder
- Being able to rename

Other comments:
- I'm not sure of the filled/non-filled icons for expanded and collapse groups. It's confusing to me.

As your designing it would be helpful to have quick ways to jump between screens. One suggestion would be to have dropdown that contained a list of all your screens. Selecting that screen would jump you to that screen, fitting it in your viewable window. Keyboard commands that jumped forward and backwards in the list would also be helpful.

+1
I began to use it today and I couldn't reorganize the components if I had to delete something on the background and insert a new one.

I really need the layers, and developers also require them, to access all key info such as kerning, line heights etc.

Please make this similar to PS. And also try to stick with familiar shortcuts to Adobe users. Thank you for creating a great product.

I need levels like all of other Adobe products. It useful for arrange
the objects in different level, for locked its and more