: How to punch in a text I have a text and white paths above it. I need to 'crop' the text with the paths... Similar to the "punch" of adobe fireworks. How I do this? thanks

@YK2262411

There's multiple ways: actually subtracting your white path from the text shape, or creating a clipping or opacity mask.

Subtracting from the text shape

Since Illustrator doesn't see text objects as shapes, you'll have to Object > Expand your text object to a shape first. This has the side effect of your text not being editable as text anymore. Ungroup the text (expanding creates a group of objects, each letter being a single object), and then use the Pathfinder palette to punch out your shapes.

Creating a clipping mask


Group your text if it's multiple objects;
Create a shape covering all of your text;
Punch out the white shapes from this shape;
Remove fill and stroke from the shape;
Select both the 'empty' shape and your text group;
Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.


Creating an opacity mask

See this question and answer. Thanks, Jenna.

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