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?

• Almost Vertical/Horizontal — crease line is probably misaligned;
• Broken Shape — shape is broken apart when folding;
• Path Is Not Closed — the dieline needs a solid, continuous outline path;
• Crease Line In Main Outline — the main outline must be made of cuts;
• Intersecting Curved Cuts — it might not be easy;
• Empty Layout — why there is no dieline visible?
• Hanging Element — what if a path goes nowhere?
• Impossible Crease Line — a crease that shouldn't be;
• Inconsistent Crease Lines — similar crease lines must have same angles;
• Invalid Crease — crease lines have limitations;
• Overlapping Lines — cut and crease lines must not overlap, as well;
• Separate Element — the dieline should come in one piece;
• The Points Are Too Close — avoid crowded spaces;
• Z-Fighting — what to do with overlapping polygons.

There's more from the older folding engines:

• Intersecting Holes — holes must not overlap;
• Impossible Shape — some shapes simply don’t exist;
• Outside Hole — all holes must be inside the outline path;
• Misaligned Elements — ends must meet, perfectly;
• Elements Are Too Small — keep dieline paths simple;
• Triangulation Failed — Origami fails to make a 3D mesh of a dieline.

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