Mask problem

[Yuriwexy]

Hi, I'm quite new to Illustrator, but I have experience with Photoshop.

I'm struggling here for multiple hours with such a simple task, but it just won't work, so I'm reaching up to you. 

I have a group here of Text, 2 Lines and a logo. I used Create Outlines on Text and Trace Image on the Logo. 

I created gradient, which I want it to be on the surface of everything in the group.

I tried to do it through clipping mask, I tried it through Pathfinder. Nothing worked ... When I used clipping mask the gradient disappeared, It was only visible in the layers.

When I tried to use Pathfinder, it had always a problem, that group isn't an single object

[Jacob Bugge]

Tygnar,

What happens if you do as follows?

1) Select all the parts that are to have the gradient colouring and turn them into a Compound Path (Ctrl/Cmd+8, hold Ctrl/Cmd an press 8);

2) Select the rectangle with the gradient  and bring it down below ths Compound Path from 1 (Ctrl/Cmd+X+B, hold Ctrl/Cmd and press X then B);

3) Select everything (Ctrl/Cmd+A) and apply the Clipping Mask (Ctrl/Cmd+7).

[Yuriwexy]

It at least did something, I have never used or heard about the Compound Path so far, but it is still not the right version

1. The gradient overlay should be on the parts for example the text, not around it like background

2. I have problem with the outline, it looks like it created two deformed objects, which are divided with a thin line in the middle. 

I'v created a path (red line in picture) and then duplicated it, turn it by 180 degree and positioned it. Probably not the right way to do, but I didn't know how.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

What you did with the path is perfect. Mirroring it is just very good. But afterwards you need to select both the halves and Join them: Object > Path > Join.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tygnar,

Based on the strangenesses revealed, you need a preparation before the Clipping Path can be made, so you need to start over; always keep a backup of the artwork before making changes; and you need the aid of Smart Guides.

You can look at Use Smart Guides, and Set Smart Guides preferences here,

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/rulers-grids-guides-crop-marks.html

A) Firstly, you need to have the duplicated paths accurately aligned and united, and switched from a stroked path to a filled Compound Path, so starting with the duplicate paths:

A1) ClickDrag one of the end Anchor Points of the duplicate path to snap to the corresponding end Anchor Point of the original path; Smart Guides will say anchor when you are within snapping distance; the opposite ends will also be accurately positioned;

A2) Select both paths from A1) and Ctrl/Cmd+J to join them into one stroked path;

A3) Object>Path>Outline Stroke (in the Object dropdown);

This will turn the outer shape into a filled Compound Path;

B) Secondly, you need to have the text outlined, Type>Create Outlines;

The logo parts seem to be filled paths made with by tracing, ready for use;

C) Thirdly, you need to select the outer shape, the outlined text, and the logo parts, and turn them into aone Compound Path (Ctrl/Cmd+8, hold Ctrl/Cmd an press 8);

D) Fourthly, you need to have the rectangle with the gradient beneath the Compound Path (Ctrl/Cmd+X+B);

Then you can select everything (Ctrl/Cmd+A) and apply the Clipping Mask (Ctrl/Cmd+7).

Edit: Crossposting, this post took a while.

[Yuriwexy]

A2) I'v duplicated the paths, aligned it and selected both of them and pressed Ctrl + J and it won't let me continue

I'v tried the same only with the outline lines, which I joined into one shape, but the same error

[Monika Gause]

It looks like there is duplicate stuff. Can you share the AI file?

Rename it to .PDF and then you can upload it to the forum.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tygnar,

Only select the two curved lines, one the duplicate of the other, I can see from the screenshot that you have also selected the outlines text and the logo parts.

And Join them before outlining the stroke.

This is the first thing to do in A).

[Yuriwexy]

I'v done it through Transparency Mask in the end yesterday, but today I managed to do it through the compound path. The problem was in fill vrs. stroke. Because I had fill for logo and text and then stroke for the path. I guess I will have to do it seperately for object with fill and then for stroke next time? Also I didn't know, there is key object and it is the top one. So I was quite confused, why it was doing fill yesterday and today it was doing stroke.

[Jacob Bugge]

Yuriwexy,

"but today I managed to do it through the compound path. The problem was in fill vrs. stroke. Because I had fill for logo and text and then stroke for the path."

Exactly that was the reason for my part A) preparation part:

A) Firstly, you need to have the duplicated paths accurately aligned and united, and switched from a stroked path to a filled Compound Path, so starting with the duplicate paths:

...

This will turn the outer shape into a filled Compound Path;

To elaborate.

Without switching from stroke to fill, you have a normal simple path that encompasses the logo and the text.

After switching from stroke to fill, you have a compound path round the logo and the text, and then you can select them all as three separate parts to form the final Compound Path which can be used for the Clipping Mask.