importing or placing files with layers

[nikana2000@adobeforums.com]

I would like to know if there is a way to import or place a file into an existing Illustrator file, and have the layers from the new (placed) file be maintained. What seems to happen is the layers of the placed file are removed, and all the objects inside them are grouped.

This occurs when inserting an .ai file onto another .ai file, or a .dwg file onto an .ai file.

If I open a DWG file in Illustrator, I get the option of 'merging layers'. If I don't have it checked, Illustrator will start a new document with the layers from the DWG drawing intact. This option is also available when placing a DWG file into an existing .ai file. But even it this option is not checked, it still groups all the objects together.

Here's what I've tried.
1) toggling the 'merge layers' option when bringing in a DWG file

2) For the .ai file that I want to place, I grouped all the items in a layer together, for each layer. Then I moved all these groups to 1 layer, and deleted the other layers. When I brought the file in, it removed the individual groups, and placed all the objects in one group.

ps. I am using Illustrator CS

[LenHewitt@adobeforums.com]

Set your preferences to Paste remembers layers and then open both documents and copy/paste from one to the other

[nikana2000@adobeforums.com]

thanks Len... I see that "Paste Remembers Layers" in the Layers palette