Which Pathfinder Tool for Intersecting Objects?

[Geobop]

I have an SVG map of the 50 states. I used Object > Expand to separate the states from each other; in other words, I can manipulate each state individually.

I want to put pictures of state flags over the state outlines and copy only the portion of each flag that matches the state.

For example, imagine a gray map of Texas. I put a picture of Texas' state flag on top of the map, then select both. If I use a certain command, the gray map should now look like Texas' flag. It should be red, white, and blue, with a white star. But it isn't a rectangular flag - it's shaped like the map of Texas.

How do I do that?

The logical choice would seem to be Pathfinder > Intersect, but that doesn't work. I tried every Pathfinder tool, and none of them work.

Does it matter which image is on top - the map or the flag? And does it matter if the flag is a compound object? In other words, each color and the star are separate elements that are grouped together.

Thanks.

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

Crop may have the result you're after, but you're probably better off using that state outlines as clipping masks rather than using Pathfinder at all.

[Geobop]

Ah, clipping masks - I think that's the term I should have searched for. I remember doing that in Phososhop, I think.

I'll check it out.

Thanks.