illustrator gradient help

So im working on a typography assignment and i want to gradient all the text. So far its not working. It makes each letter into a gradient, but I want all the text to be one giant gradient. I dont know how to do it and would really appreciate the help! thanks

Jason

Make a compound shape (ctrl+8) of your separate letters.

thanks, but what about paths? I have a circle that is clear as the path with text around it in a circle. if I do a compound path to it. The whole cirlce is black too. Im fairly new to illustrator but I know there should be a way to seperate the text (which is a pattern btw) from the path.

here is an image that im talking about. i want the bike to be a whole gradient, but now its every piece as a gradient.

not sure illustrator works the same as photoshop so I wont comment, but anyway nice design.

So before making your compound shape, first explode your text into curves (outlines) by clicking Ctrl+Shift+O. Before doing so, make a copy of your text layers in case you want to edit them in the future.

Originally Posted by Varelse So before making your compound shape, first explode your text into curves (outlines) by clicking Ctrl+Shift+O. Before doing so, make a copy of your text layers in case you want to edit them in the future.

thanks, but what about PATHS? I did what you said to the main part where there is no paths and it works perfect, but doesnt for the paths that im trying.

Originally Posted by Host Website not sure illustrator works the same as photoshop so I wont comment, but anyway nice design.

hah thanks man. Not all the way done and now that I got the frame all right it looks way better, its just the wheels are givng me a hard time.

Apply a stroke to the circles and then select "Outline Stroke" from the "Object/Path" menu. This way you will have a hollow, outlined circle.
If it's not what you were asking about - could you attach the file (or a part of it if you don't want to publish the whole work)?