Gradient rectangle over group of objects - join together?

[tallscot]

I have a group of swoops in different colors. Above that, I have a rectangle with a gradient from 0% Transparency to 100% white, to fade out the group of swoops.

I need to combine these two so that the gradient of white is built into the group of swoops so that when this artwork goes over some background that isn't white, you don't see the rectangle shape. Make sense?

With Photoshop, I would just right click on the swoop objects with SHIFT and then select the gradient layer, reverse the selection, and press delete and it would delete everything outside of that shape.

Not sure how to do it with Illustrator.

Thanks!

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

You can create an opacity mask (see Transparency palette).

[tallscot]

Thanks, Kurt.

I ended up taking the gradient and grouping it with a long white rectangle, then selecting both and did the transparency mask and it worked fine.

Thanks!