Bobcat79

Phitin, I have that same problem a lot. I think you just really have to mess around with the handles until you get everything right. I use the smooth curve cop out a lot, too...

Okay, help, PLEASE. I HATE ILLUSTRATOR. I also hate how finicky clipping masks are.

After struggling to get this stupid gradient how I wanted it (hate the gradient panel, too. Noticing a theme here?), I'm clueless as to how to get the gradient to appear only within the confines of the text. It's got to be an easy fix with a clipping mask but I'm stumped. HELP? I've also clicked like every possible thing in the pathfinder. They all do exactly what I don't want to do.

The text is stroked, grouped, no fill with black stroke, converted to outlines.