Layout Is Empty

Is the document open?

When you ask Origami to reload the shape, it tries to get the currently opened document. The first reason you may get the “Layout is empty” message is if there is nothing opened in Illustrator at the moment.

Does the document have an Origami layer?

Origami reads the open document in Illustrator and tries to locate its layer. The layer is named “Origami” and the second reason you may see the error is that there is no “Origami” layer in the current document.

Is the layer empty?

Finally, if the document is opened and has its “Origami” layer, but the layer is empty, you will see the same error. Origami needs at least one closed path in the “Origami” layer to display anything.

What to do?

• Make sure the document is open in Illustrator.
• Make sure the document has its “Origami” layer.
• Make sure the layer is not empty.

See Making a Dieline for a more detailed instruction.

Want More Hints?

• Empty Layout — why there is no dieline visible?
• Path Is Not Closed — the dieline needs a solid, continuous outline path;
• Intersecting Holes — holes must not overlap;
• Overlapping Lines — cut and crease lines must not overlap, as well;
• Outside Hole — all holes must be inside the outline path;
• Invalid Crease — crease lines have limitations;
• Almost Vertical/Horizontal — crease line is probably misaligned;
• Impossible Shape — some shapes simply don’t exist;
• Misaligned Elements — ends must meet, perfectly;
• Elements Are Too Small — keep dieline paths simple;
• Interesting Curved Cuts — it might not be easy;
• Triangulation Failed — Origami fails to make a 3D mesh of a dieline;
• Z–Fighting — what to do with overlapping polygons.

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