Supports InDesign 2024 and higher. For older versions of InDesign, please go here.
This simple tool offers an alternative method to using the layers palette for moving objects between layers.
It also has an optional feature to nudge all items on the layer throughout the whole document or across the current spread.
Downloads
To install LayerLifter, you first need to download three different items.
- LayerLifter. This download contains the LayerLifter plug-in.
- APID ToolAssistant. This download contains a shared software component called APID ToolAssistant. To make LayerLifter work, this plug-in needs to be installed.
Important note: you do NOT need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant to make LayerLifter work. - PluginInstaller. This item is a shared application which handles activation and purchasing of or donating for our software tools. Make sure you update to the latest version – re-download if in doubt.
1. Download link for LayerLifter
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/LayerLifter.1.0.3.zip
2. Download links for APID ToolAssistant
Pick the correct link, depending on your computer and version of InDesign:
2.1. Mac, InDesign 2024
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2024.1.0.73.zip
2.2. Mac, InDesign 2025
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2025.1.0.73.zip
2.3. Windows, InDesign 2024
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2024.1.0.73.zip
2.4. Windows, InDesign 2025
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2025.1.0.73.zip
3. PluginInstaller
Installing on a Mac
You need to have a user account with Admin privileges on your computer.
If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.
Make sure InDesign is not running.
Using the Finder, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.
On most computers this will be on a path similar to /Applications/Adobe InDesign 202x/Plug-Ins
Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.
Decompress the APIDToolAssistant_Mac_20xx…zip file and move the contents into the Rorohiko folder. Once installed, it should look similar to the screenshot below:
Decompress the LayerLifter…zip file.
Move the plug-in file LayerLifter.spln and the image file com.rorohiko.layerlifter.clip.png into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.
You can now launch InDesign.
Now scroll further down, past the Installing on Windows section, to the Usage section.
Installing on Windows
On your computer, you need to have a user account with Admin privileges.
If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.
Make sure InDesign is not running.
Using the Explorer, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.
On most computers this will be on a path similar to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe InDesign 202x\Plug-Ins
Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.
Right-click the APIDToolAssistant_Win_20xx…zip file and select Extract All…
Move the two plug-in files and the two plug-in folders into the Rorohiko folder. Once installed, it should look similar to the screenshot below:
Right-click the LayerLifter…zip file and select Extract All…
Move the plug-in file LayerLifter.spln and the image file com.rorohiko.layerlifter.clip.png into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.
You can now launch InDesign.
Usage
First select one or more objects on a spread, and then right-click (Win) or control-click (Mac), and pick a destination layer from the LayerLifter context menu.
There’s also an optional layer shifter feature for people who have purchased an APID ToolAssistant license.
The layer shifter allows you to shift all items on a particular layer – either throughout the whole document, or across the current spread.
You can select either option via API – LayerLifter – Preferences – click the checkbox in front of Drag Attached Layer On All Spreads to get a document-wide layer shift.
Now select any page item that resides on the layer you want to shift, and select API – LayerLifter – Attach To Layer. A small paperclip should appear next to the page item to show it is attached to its layer. When you now shift this page item, it will ‘drag’ its whole layer along. Any other page items on the same layer will shift by the same amount.
Don’t forget to use API – LayerLifter – Detach From Layer to release the page item afterwards.
For more detailed information on LayerLifter, go to:
https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/manuals/layerlifter-manual/
Donating for LayerLifter
LayerLifter is free.
If you can afford to support the effort to keep this project alive, please do so!
There are ongoing costs associated with keeping LayerLifter updated and supported, and we’re grateful for any help you can give us in this regard.
Start the PluginInstaller, which you downloaded in installation step 3 above.
Then go through the following steps.
Create an Account:
If this is your first time using PluginInstaller, you’ll need to create a new account and register it within PluginInstaller.
If you already have an account listed in the Accounts window, you can skip ahead.
Add an LayerLifter Bookmark:
Add a bookmark for LayerLifter into PluginInstaller by clicking the following link:
Add LayerLifter Bookmark into PluginInstaller
Alternatively, you can use the Browse the Store for Software window in PluginInstaller and find the LayerLifter entry in the Rorohiko Catalog, then click the link provided.
Donate
Once the bookmark is listed in the Installing and Ordering window, select it fill out the Ordering section at the bottom.
Fill in a donation amount, and add a reference if desired, then click Purchase.
