cookie cutter?

[snunicycler]

i have an complicated image i made in illustrator, i want to put another image (actually it is a word) that i want to use as a sort of cookie cutter and cut out the image with. i have tried all of the pathfinder tools but nothing works. i dont know if this makes sense but i want to see the image only inside the letters of the word. it is for a tshirt design. i would appreciate it a bunch!
ps, the minus back tool sounds like it would work but it says to select 2 or more filled paths... i did, i think but no luck...

[siongc]

Is the underlying image grouped? I believe Shape Modes do not work with grouped objects. You will need to ungroup it and cut every piece of the graphic individually. The easier way would be to use Opacity Mask.

[jayluebs]

Actually, this is pretty easy to do.

Group all of the "complicated image" together so it is one object when you select it with the black arrow. Next, outline the text you want to use as a cookie cutter. (type>create outlines)
Now place the text over your image, select both the text and the image, and select object>clipping mask>make. Voila.

[Fizzz]

Wow, looking forward to trying this - its an issue thats also been bugging me too... thanks

[Fizzz]

Nope, did exactly as described - doesnt work - i just get an unfilled jumble of outlines..
Can anyone expand on this a bit more please? Would be such a help..