How to place image inside letters without using clipping mask

[eam850]

I'm new and having trouble! How do I place a png image into letters without using a clipping mask? I want to put the flag image in the DAD letters. I have already expanded the letters. I can't use the clipping mask because it won't upload to cricut design space. Thanks!

 

[Kurt Gold]

Which version of Illustrator are you using?

Also, is the flag a raster image or is it vector (consisting of paths)?

[eam850]

I believe it said 24.1. 

And the flag is a vector, png.

[Kurt Gold]

Well, then Pathfinder Crop may the way to go.

But you are mentioning .png. Are you sure they are vector objects (paths)?

[eam850]

I don't know to be honest! I'm so new at this still...

[Kurt Gold]

Can you share your sample .ai file including the flag?

Then I or someone else may take a look at it.

[eam850]

It won't let me attach the file on this thread. 

[Doug A Roberts]

You should use dropbox or google drive or your Adobe Cloud docs or similar to share AI files.

Otherwise: what do you see in the layers panel with the flag selected?

[michelew83603738]

If the flag is a vector based flag, then as suggested, you can use the Pathfinder Crop to get rid of the parts that fall outside of the letters. You can tell if it is a vector based image if when you select with the direct select or white arrow, there are anchor points that let you reshape the image. If the image is a .png, then you can drag the image into the swatch panel and then select the letters, making sure that they are united (which they appear to be) and then just use the flag as a swatch to fill them.

[Doug A Roberts]

Making it a pattern won't help with Cricut Design Space.