Masking Problems in Illustrator (Is it a bug?)

Question

All right. So I just want to add a certain pattern (made from objects) to my text for an interesting and satisfying effect. However, when it normally tends to just work with any object.

I just need the green pattern to fill the text like the text is the mask, but for some reason it doesn't seem to work.

After creating a mask. And yes the text is outlined and they're all objects.

When I do it on a simple shape. Is the text too complex for my computer to handle or something?

Maybe the shape the pattern needs to fit in is too complex?

Answer 1

When you outline text it creates a group, with each letter being its own shape. You can't use a group as a mask, what you need to do is create a compound path from your group. With your outlined text selected:

Object → Compound Path → Make (or hit cmd + 8)

But—You don't need to outline text to use it as a mask. Just use your live text as a mask and theres no need for making compound paths or anything and you can still edit your text!