topic Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

hughesey2192 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:53:34 GMT

I have created a body from a mesh scan. Specifically a motorcycle screen profile.

Body is hollow in the middle, and the intent is to 3D print a mould, and create a vacuum to form an acrylic screen to match the mould.

So, I need the mould to be covered in holes to draw air through (via a vacuum source of some description).

Short of manually adding individual holes, is there a way that I can cover the moulding area (circled red in attached image) in holes through to the hollow chamber? Ideally holes would be perpendicular to to the surface.

F3D attached. Workflow is pretty untidy - Its one of the first models I've done from a 3d scan, so there was a lot of trail and error going on. Plan was to start fresh and do it tidily once I got to the end state.

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:45:08 GMT

Examine the Attached.

I only did two (half) rows to demonstrate the technique.

If you have trouble figuring it out - post back with questions.

Edit: I just figured out a way to create paths more easily.

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

hughesey2192 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:46:39 GMT

Ah I hadn't thought to do a revolve! I usually extrude holes, which might be a bad habbit.

Good to know I was geting close with the Isoparametric curve.

I'm having trouble making the pattern follow the path. I create the first hole in the same manner as the second row you've done with axis perpindicular to face at a point. The pattern will work when orientation is 'identical', however fails when i switch orientation to 'path direction'. I can alter the patterns on paths that you've created, but can't seem to get it to work using the Isoparametric curve.

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:22:19 GMT

@hughesey2192

Attach file here.

Set you Compute Type to Identical rather than Adjust.

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

hughesey2192 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:23:22 GMT

See attached. Are the paths maybe not intersecting correctly?

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

hughesey2192 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:43:10 GMT

I tried all three compute types. Weirdly if i select the path below the the one I'm trying to pattern along, it works. So I think it's an intersecting issue. I'll try different methods of projecting the path. Thanks for your help :).

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

hughesey2192 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:34 GMT

Figured it out. I was using 'Project' not 'Intersect' to pick up the sketch profile on each plane/row.

The Isoparametric Curve was good for getting the lines onto the surface, but the pattern did't seem to want to follow those paths, only the 'intersect' paths on individual planes.

Thanks again for your help.

Re: Create Hole Pattern on Compound Curve

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:45:32 GMT

@hughesey2192 wrote:
The Isoparametric Curve was good for getting the lines onto the surface, but the pattern did't seem to want to follow those paths, only the 'intersect' paths on individual planes.

@johnsonshiue

In my original 2 sketch paths example I used used Project/Intersect and @hughesey2192 found that it would not work with Isoparametric Curve.

The question is, "Should it work with Isoparametric Curves? That would make it a bit easier to create the rows."