Adobe Illustrator question Knockouts

[designfx]

I'm doing a CD label...that needs a text layer knocked out through two layers so the actual CD shows through...how can I knock out the layers all the way down?

By applying both "Transparency and Blending Modes". When using the transparency palette you can create knockouts, graduated transparencies, or blends.

I hope this helps.

[Mac 5]

You could create outlines of your text. Then use pathfinder filters, create a clipping mask or compound path depending on your art.

[jawn_tech]

I did the same thing for my own CD label before. I paid for only black and white, but with knockouts you can do a lot. I did the knockouts by putting text over the bottom layer (or whatever you want to punch through), select both and made a clipping mask.

[designfx]

How can I do a clipping mask through an image created in PS. I keep getting an error when trying to delete via clipping path or Pathfinder that it can not create a clipping path on an image

[Mac 5]

If you just want to make a clipping mask out of a simple shape like a square just draw the square select both, then make a clipping mask.

If you want to make a mask out of text,
1. Convert your text to outlines.
2. Make a Compound Path of the text.
3. Select text and photo and make a clipping mask.

[designfx]

This will mask the image around the text...I need to knock out the text through the image. Any idea?

If you just want to make a clipping mask out of a simple shape like a square just draw the square select both, then make a clipping mask.

If you want to make a mask out of text,
1. Convert your text to outlines.
2. Make a Compound Path of the text.
3. Select text and photo and make a clipping mask.

[Mac 5]

I'm sure there is more than one way. Try this.
1. draw a box to the outside size of the photo.
2. turn text to outlines
3. select box and text.
4. pathfinder/exclude
5 select box and text shape & photo
6. make clipping mask