Knock out live text (area type) from background

[sPretzel]

Hi,

I have text typed in an area, and the area has a fill. I would like to knock out the text from the background fill of the area, while preserving the text being live.

-I don't want to use transparency features (it can be done that way with Knockout Group set for the object and Opacity 0% for the characters).

-I would also prefer to keep the text as area type instead of having one text object and one background fill object.

Is this possible at all?

Thanks.

[Monika Gause]

A Compound shape might be possible, depending on the exact nature of the background object(s)

[sPretzel]

Hi Monika. The text is typed inside a rectangle (area type), the rectangle is then given a fill. Effectively, there's only one object. As a result, I haven't been able to turn it into a compound shape.

I could duplicate the object and then make a compound shape but I was hoping there is a way to keep it all nimble.

[Monika Gause]

And what's so bad about knockout groups that they need to be avoided at all costs?

[sPretzel]

I don't want to use transparency. Knockout Group is a transparency feature.

[Monika Gause]

Yes, I know. I was hoping to get a reason for that. But since you asked:

[sPretzel]

Hi Monika. I have unpredictable results in print with transparency so I try to avoid it.

I struggled through the German but figured out what you've done. My case is slightly different. You apply the background blue fill to the characters within type, which you've converted to a rectangle shape. As a result (unless you then also resize the height of the rectangle according to the font), the blue rectangle's size depends on the font. In my case, I have applied the background fill to the rectangle path (inside which I then typed the text), the size of the rectangle path does not depend on the type that is inside it. Any suggestions that would allow me to keep this existing design?

I do like your idea of using Pathfinder FX (Subtract) here with Convert to Shape so even though I am unable to apply it, I learnt something! Thanks.

[Monika Gause]

"Any suggestions that would allow me to keep this existing design?"

Sure: Knockout groups.

[sPretzel]

I meant any suggestions, with the stated requirements (no transparency). 🙂

[Ton Frederiks]

"I meant any suggestions, with the stated requirements (no transparency)"

Then just use Monika's solution, set the added rectangel shape to relative and you can resize the object and the text will reflow.

If you want to make it simple just use text and an additional colored rectangle and make a Compound Shape.