Create masks from text in CS3 different from 6.5

[MikeWilkinson]

So I have CS3, and when i goto "Create Outlines", it creates shape layer paths, and not masks.

I've googled, checked adobe's help, and it talks about linking the mask to the shape... but there is no mask to link to....

Here's the help link that doesn't help me - http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/8.0/help.html?content=WS37445DB7-352A-42e9-BACB-EB40BD421524.html

I just want to make masks from my text like you can easily do in AE 6.5. I'm sure it's something dumb and easy but I can't find it.

[Neil Rowe]

you can use autotrace if you want, or use a duplicate as an alpha matte pending what your doing. the autotrace feature will generate a mask from alpha. so you can use it for text or whatever to make a quick mask.