Illustrator Invert Path Outlines?

[jdug]

I have a logo that is text made by paths that outline the text in a color block. In the preview below the black objects are paths with a black fill and the resulting white text is the void between the paths.

I now need a variation of the logo that has just the logo text in white and the black to become transparent. Since the white text is already transparent (nothing on the artboard), making the black areas transparent leaves a completely white artboard.

I have tried taking it from Illustrator to Photoshop to reverse the colors then trace it back in Illustrator but there is detail loss, so I want to keep it in Illustrator.

Any suggestions?

 

[hawkeye]

Put a new rectangle shape behind the black shape big enough to cover the letter area, then use the minus front shape mode. This should leave just the letters as a new path.

 

[jdug]

Thank you, that did it, I knew it had to be something simple.