Topographic Maps, Helvetica, and Minus Front

[mwenz]

Welcome to TG.

After converting the type to Outlines, ungroup and Make Compound Path.

Begin with your topographic paths, make sure they are ungrouped.
Make Compound Path with those topographic lines.
Expand.
Select underlying text.
Minus Front (no alt key press).

I used 4pt lines for the size of type I used.

[gwpriester]

By the way, I hate sites like the one you linked to that try to scare you into scanning your computer or that try to prevent you from leaving.

[Albacore]

Mike the reason why I mentioned the Alt key was because of output that he had after cutting and the only reason for that output was the contours were behind.