topic Re: Perforated Metal? in Modeling

Perforated Metal?

pcrossington — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:59:24 GMT

Is there a way to get a perforated metal sheet modeled in AC without creating a thousand operators cutting holes through a surface? There's a perforated surface within AC that looks great, but it does not have actual perforations through it, its just a fill (see image below).

Thanks,

Phil

Operating system used: Mac Intel-based tahoe 26.5.2

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:24:54 GMT

You have listed your two options.

Model the holes, which is not a good idea in large areas or complex shapes as you show in your image.

Or use a surface material that has the alpha channel hole built in.

If the surface material does not already have it, you can add a hatch pattern (fill) to show the holes in elevation (3D).

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Lingwisyer — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:29:31 GMT

If your image is of your "perforated surface within AC", it would appear that the alpha channel is turned off.

Ling.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:10:37 GMT

@pcrossington

You also need to have transparency turned on in the 3D styles and elevation settings if you want to see through the surface 'holes'.

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

pcrossington — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:16:42 GMT

I am using the "built in" perforated surface. None of these solutions seem to do the trick however.

Ido not understand how to add a hatch pattern (fill) to show the holes in elevation (3D) however. Where is that hatch pattern added?

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:04:03 GMT

You add the fill in the surface settings.

You will need to create a custom fill for the dot pattern as I don't think there is a default one that will match.

This is one I have for a chain link fence.

Looks like this in 3D with transparency on.

With textures turned off and hatching turned on (I don't have a hatch pattern for the perforated dots).

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Lingwisyer — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:06:43 GMT

Can you take a screenshot of the settings dialogue of this "built in perforated surface"? What is it called?

With a fill, you will not get actual holes in Elevation. I think the alpha channel just makes voids filled with your surface colour...

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:15:55 GMT

I duplicated the 'circles 1' fill and changed the pattern size.

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:21:14 GMT

No, you won't get the holes in elevation, even with textures turned on.

That is why I suggested adding the hatch pattern.

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Lingwisyer — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:23:29 GMT

Ah, so it just ignores the alpha. I have not tried it since it was first released since the documents produced were unusable...

Re: Perforated Metal?

Barry Kelly — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:25:35 GMT

Don't use textures in elevations.

It can make the files impossible to print in my experience.

Barry.

Re: Perforated Metal?

Lingwisyer — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:27:09 GMT

So nothing has changed...