# Illustrator - split by color

**URL:** https://forum.kirupa.com/t/illustrator-split-by-color/227158
**Category:** design
**Created:** [May 27, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/illustrator-split-by-color/227158 "2007-05-27T23:04:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![NeoDreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ccd318/32.png) [@NeoDreamer](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/NeoDreamer)
#### Post date: [May 27, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/illustrator-split-by-color/227158/1 "2007-05-27T23:04:20Z")

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Anyone know how to first flatten an image in AI CS2 and then seperate each distinct color into separate layers?

## When I flatten from the drop down menu from the layers window, it doesn’t really flatten a-la-photoshop style. It puts all elements into one single set.

Example of cutting out in PS (bitmap). Need to know how to do it in AI (vector):

![](http://www.threadless.com/subs/big/78211.gif)  
 ![](http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3535/untitled2rk7.gif)