Use Image as Fill for Text

[Omar32335861brm4]

I'm a complete newbie with adobe illustrator, so forgive me. I have some plain old text, and want to add in the color and design of an image like a "fill" for the text. Right now, I have three layers. Layer 3 - This is my base, all I have here is a square with masking clip of another image I imported. My next layer, Layer 2, is the other image I'm trying to use for my text. My top layer, Layer 1, is my text. Also, my text is actually two separate text boxes grouped together. I figured all I have to do make the image from Layer 2 as a background fill for my text is to use a masking clip on Layer 1 & 2, but everytime I do this my text completely disappears, and the image is what stays. I could be doing everything completely wrong. Could someone please explain what I should do? Thank you.

[CarlosCanto]

you're doing it right, when it's one text frame above the image it works like it should.

if you create outlines, make a compound path out of both outlined text frames, it works as well, but no more live text.

also, if you make two copies of the image and place it behind the text you could keep both text frames live.

Let me see if I can find a way of keeping both text frames live and making it work as a mask.

Or maybe someone else knows how and jumps in.

[Omar32335861brm4]

Apologies, could you outline the specific steps needed for what you just mentioned? I really am completely new when it comes to Adobe, so I don't understand the context for some of the things you just suggested. Thanks again for your response.

[CarlosCanto]

for the first option

- select both text items

- go to Type->Create Outlines

- go to Object->Compound Path->Make

- select both the newly created Compound Path (the outlined text items) and the Image

- go to Object->Clipping Mask->Make

[Omar32335861brm4]

It worked! Thank you so much!!! I definitely wouldn't have figured that out on my own. I do have one more question. I noticed that when I move the filled text over my base, the color of the base sort of alters the text fill, slightly. Probably because the base is the last layer. Either way though, thank you so much. Seeing it work is so satisfying. 

[Omar32335861brm4]

Actually, it's all good. Just a trick of the eye. Thanks again!