How Do I Unmerge Layers in Illustrator?

Unmerging layers in Illustrator depends on what you've merged. There's no single "unmerge layers" function like in some other software. The process involves separating objects or groups of objects, not necessarily recreating the original individual layers.

Unmerging Objects Within a Layer

If you've merged objects within a single layer using the Pathfinder tool (Unite, for example), you can't directly undo the merge. However, you can attempt to separate the objects using these techniques:

• Object Selection: If the merged objects are distinct and visually separable, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select individual parts. Then, cut (Cmd/Ctrl+X) and paste (Cmd/Ctrl+V) them onto new layers. This works best with clearly defined shapes.
• Live Trace (for complex merged objects): If the merge created a complex shape and manual separation is impossible, try Live Trace. Expand the trace result to convert the complex shape into editable paths which can then be separated. Note: this might require further manual cleanup.

Unmerging Layers Created by Grouping or Combining Layers

If you've grouped or combined multiple layers (by dragging them into a new layer), Illustrator doesn't directly support "unmerging" these. However, you can:

• Release to Layers: Select the layer containing the grouped items. Use the Release to Layers command (located in the Layers panel menu, accessible by the Hamburger menu icon). This separates each object into its own layer, effectively undoing the layer combination. This is the most direct method for unmerging layers when you have merely grouped items on top of one another.

• Manually Separate Objects: If you haven't used Release to Layers or similar options, you must individually select and move objects from one layer to new layers. This is time-consuming for complex designs but is always a viable option.

The video referenced mentions using the Hamburger icon in the Layers panel to access options like "Release to Layers", providing a way to separate objects within a combined layer back into their original state. Note that the layers are not necessarily restored to their original independent state, but rather the objects are placed on individual layers.