Hi,

Can I use Inkscape to create a PDF file with multiple layers? If so, how? When I save a multi layer Inkscape file as a PDF, it does not seem to create PDF layers. What I'm trying to do is to transcribe some old handwritten documents. Ideally I would like the typed word to appear on top of the handwritten word in the scanned image, and for the typed words to be hideable (so the user can hide them if he wants to see the scanned image clearly). The text should be searchable, and copyable, preferably as one long text document, not just as individual words. This suggests that if each word is a separate text field which it will need to be if it is to be possible to position it over the image of the word, then there must be some kind of links between the fields so that the complete thing can be searched or copied as one piece of continuous text. Ideally the user should only require Adobe Reader (or maybe a web browser) to read the document, and to hide or show layers.

Thanks - Rowan

Hello
Simple answer: No, you can't ... As far as I know

I haven't tried but Scribus seems can do that task:
http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/Help:Manual_Layers
But layers seems to work only in Acrobat Reader.

Scribus can import SVG graphics, but some features are not supported

On the other hand... an SVG file can be seen directly from a web browser. Many years ago, an User showed here the infographic of a jet airplane, that seemed to work with layers, In the sense that parts of the drawing can be hidden or shown just doing a click. I remember Brynn participated on that topic,... but It was so many years ago,... I don't know even how to search it. Javascript was involved.
Edit:
I found it, the interactive airplane. The user left a tutorial of how to do it. But the document is lost! Or someone saved for the posterity?
The topic
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12113&p=44858#p44858

I have to add a little more...
It's interesting what you are searching.
Thinking a little more deep, your idea could be transformed to have a kind of slide show presentation... " landing is launching"...
So, give a try to JessyInk, it's old but still works.
https://launchpad.net/jessyink