Are vector brushes truly vectors?

[Rachel75]

I made these designs to be cut and engraved with a laser, specifically a glowforge that cannot process masks. I really want my design to include the vector brush paths, but every time I upload the design to the glowforge it says that it’s a mask. I tried to rasterize it (because glowforge can process raster images), but even then it says there is a mask. Is there a way to remove the mask or a way to make these vector brush strokes a true vector image to where I can do an expand stroke command and have the stroke actually outlining the brush paths the same way it would any other vector? I don’t really understand masks, so forgive me if my question doesn’t make sense.

[Rachel75]

I just realized that if I rasterize it, and save it as a PNG rather than a PDF, it will upload to the glowforge without a mask, but I am still curious to know if there is a way to vectorize the vector paint brush strokes because using raster images is not desirable.

[DM1]

2 hours ago, Rachel75 said:

curious to know if there is a way to vectorize the vector paint brush strokes

The brushes are not true vector brushes. They use raster images for texture. You could use the pencil tool to draw a stroke, expand that stroke with the Expand Stroke  command, then apply a brush texture to it, but I don’t know if that would really give you the outcome you want either.

[Rachel75]

@DM1thank you, that’s a real bummer, thanks for the input I appreciate it!