question about masking in illustrator

[gonnabuyamac]

i a couple text objects that i would like to use to mask over a picture in illustrator cs3. i can make one text object work, but i can't figure out how to combine the text objects so they can both mask at the same time.

anybody know how to do that?

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

You need to use the Pathfinder>Shape Modes: Add to shape area to "combine" the two separate texts. Select both texts, then do the pathfinder on them. I outlined the text first before I did it. I don't know if that mattered or not. After that, you'll be able to use Clipping Mask>Create Mask to do what you're looking for.

 

[Halcyon]

If you don't outline the text, you can go straight to make clipping path. Once the text is outlined, indeed you have to apply the above described proceedure.