How to export Art brushes as vector NOT bitmap?

[Helle]

I am trying to export a vector based hair brush I made. Whatever file format I choose many of the strokes are not exported into Illustrator as vector, but bitmap, which I DON'T want!! The brush I use are the same, only changed size and color.
How on earth do I get it to export a vector brush out as pure vector.
Would be SO happy if any of you can figure this out. I really need help on this one, please

[handrawn]

without seeing the brush file I am guessing here:

is it an art brush, and does it have more than one vector shape in the brush ?

an art brush with more than one vector shape is rendered in xara with a bitmap overlay - xara will treat it as a vector [mostly] but illustrator will not

[Helle]

Yes, it is made of more than one vector shape (see image) Nothing fancy, simple lines in different tones....
Can you tell me what format I have to export as for other vector programs to treat is as vector. I think I have tried many different methods. Tried to "convert to editable shape", "convert line to shape" etc. but nothing seems to work correct! Maybe there is a trick I don't know, please :-)

[handrawn]

xara can only produce a true vector with one flat colour - so you are ok with one shape of flat colour, ok with two shapes or more if they are the same flat colour, but as soon as you use shapes with different colours, or a single shape with colour other than flat, xara can only render it as a bitmap overlay which other programs will not recognise as a vector

there is no way around this that I know of

if it's a single stroke you could try bitmap trace, but that is probably not going to be practical for lots of strokes

[MarcT]

Hi Helle,

Have you tried turning you lines into shapes before creating the stroke?
It is possible to have several colors.

One important aspect if you want to keep vectors is that your curves has to remain simple, if you have stretched segments between points it wond work.
For example if you have tweaked the shape a lot with the warp tool it might be a good idea too simplify paths.

HTH

Marc

[handrawn]

Have you tried turning you lines into shapes before creating the stroke?

that does seem to help