Is there a way to "flatten" a design that has many effects added to it?

Hi all! I'm not sure I'm using the right words in my question. Basically, here's what I want to do. I have an vector image downloaded from a site that someone else made. I am adding words to it to make it look like those words have been "cut out" of the object. I know how to do this with a solid shape. But this object I downloaded has all sorts of gradients and warping things that have been done to modify it. So it's not just one solid object. Is there a way to "flatten" the object so that I can "cut out" words from it? Does this make any sense? LOL Let me know what other info I can give you. Thanks so much.