Layer troubles.. :(

[TerranScapes]

Something seems wrong with working with layers, and assuming it's user error, I'm hoping for a few quick tips.

1. I have three layers, each with a shape. To help with keeping it straight, I'll call them layers a-c and objects a-c. Without selecting any layers, I can select object a, but not the other two. If I select the layer b (in layers menu), I can then select object b, as well as object a, but not object c. And... When in layer b, if I select object a, all layers are deselected and I can only select object a again. What is going on??

2. I thought I could fix it by flattening all the layers, but I can't find a way to do this. Is it possible?

3. Because I can't select object b and c at the same time, I can't create a union between them. *sigh*

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TerranScapes]

Well, I figured it out. Turns out because objects b and c were open paths (I didn't mention that in the first post since I didn't think it was important) they can't be both selected. Once I closed the two paths, they performed normally and I was able to create a union between them.

Ah... The land of trouble shooting new programs.