Convert swatch pattern inside shape to path

[GVS010602020]

I have made a custom pattern and saved it as a swatch. I have then drawn a shape and filled it with the swatch pattern. I would like to convert the pattern inside the shape to a path so it can be sent to a plotter to cut out.

[Monika Gause]

Object > Expand

Which will give you clipping masks

You will have to expand them as well.

But also you will have to make sure that you do expand the strokes along the way. You probably do not want to outline strokes? Or do you?

[GVS010602020]

I'm not sure what you mean. The pattern extends outside the shape however is not visible. I'm assuming that is a mask.

I just want the pattern to be inside the shape so I can select the shape outline and the pattern inside it

[Monika Gause]

Yes, that's what I understood. But those black lines - they are strokes, right? And you want them to stay strokes and not be outlined?

The trouble with clipping masks is that you cannot really expand them without having to expand strokes as well. So you have to prepare your artwork in a way that you do not get outlined strokes.

Please describe what you need to do.

[GVS010602020]

I need to send the above pattern to a plotter so I need to cut out the outline of the shape as well as the logos. The plotter needs all lines to be cut to be a path. The outline of the shape has been drawn with the pen tool. The logos are a swatch patern that I created and I have applied the swatch as a fill for the shape.

I have tried the following:

1. Draw a large rectange and apply the pattern as a fill.

2. Draw the shape that I want to cut out.

3. Select All

4. Object > Clipping mask > make

5. Object > Expand (only the Fill option can be ticked)

6. Object > Expand (Fill and Stroke ticked)

7. Pathfinder > Trim

This results in the logos being converted to paths but due to using the Expand funtion twice, there are 2 paths. Also the outline of the shape has no path.

It may be that using a pattern fill is not the answer?

[Monika Gause]

As I said: pathfinders do not like strokes.

What you need to do is not use strokes, but use fills instead. When you're done with expanding and cropping and all, you can apply any stroke you want. But not earlier.

[Bobby Henderson]

Are you just cutting these graphics out of colored roll vinyl on a vinyl cutting machine? If that's the case you need to get rid of the line strokes and just give all the shapes solid fills with no line strokes. The problem with line strokes is if the sign making software you're using expands the strokes into editable paths the knife blade will cut along the inside, outside and centerline wherever a stroke is present. And that will literally chew up the vinyl in the plotter.

Any pattern effects need to be expanded into editable shapes. The same goes for art held in clipping masks. Vinyl cutters don't understand any of that stuff. Use the Pathfinder tools to trim away parts of objects that aren't needed.

The only time I use artwork with line strokes to send to a vinyl cutter/plotter is when I'm doing print and cut operations. The artwork gets registration marks printed on it and the cut path is given a custom name spot color (usually "CutContour"), but if all you're doing is cutting artwork out of rolls of colored vinyl then the objects just need a basic fill and no line strokes.