Merging layers of symbols into one object/layer

[Michael Tronn]

Hello. I have copied the same object countless times as seen below. It is now a very heavy and slow document to work with. Is there a way to take all of the layers that made this collage and merge into just one object while keeping it a vector? I know I can rasterize them, but then I will lose clarity when it is large. Thanks!

[GarryP]

One thing to try would be to put your design into a separate document and then link that document inside the one you want to use the design in.
When you use the ‘container’ document the ‘linked’ document will look rasterised but you can still change it by editing the linked document.

Otherwise, take a copy of the design, rasterise the copy and make the original invisible. If you need to make changes to the design then delete the rasterised version, make the original visible again, make your changes, and then copy and rasterise as before.

Note: You cannot have all of those things as one vector layer because a vector layer can only have one fill and stroke, amongst other things, whereas I’m assuming that the individual pieces of your design have all different fills/strokes/effects/etc.

[Old Bruce]

14 hours ago, Michael Tronn said:

Is there a way to take all of the layers that made this collage and merge into just one object while keeping it a vector?

Other than just making a Group, no. 

[Michael Tronn]

Thanks to both of you. @GarryP I've never heard of the "container document" concept before. Would you mind telling me a bit more about it please?

[GarryP]

What I called a ‘container’ document is just a document which has a separate linked document placed in it; one document ‘contains’ another document.