make complex paths transparent

hi all,

 

i have deadline in few hours, , totally screwed paths in illustrator.  below example 1 of many images have screwed up.

so, have 2 images above.  1 on left white paths how images are.  1 on right, transparent paths how need final images be.  change paths on right white transparent, expanded each path, selected paths touching it, , used either minus front, minus back, or exclude (in pathfinder) clear paths.  process was/is time consuming/confusing, , doesn't work!

 

i also, researched , found method of changing stroke's opacity in appearance panel , grouping paths knockout group stated here:  http://forums.adobe.com/message/4622407, nothing happened.  paths became transparent path below, rather through existing paths. 

 

does know of quick , easy way this?

 

if so, so, much.

tobydog,

 

what cheating , changing white identical background colour (if solid, not varying)?

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