Problem: It is difficult to create a complex pattern on a free-form surface in a way that the pattern’s elements follow the surface exactly.
Solution: Cut out the elements of the pattern from the copy of the surface and then emboss or indent them.
Theoretical Background: As a first step, the pattern needs to be created (or imported as a DXF curve) on a plane above the surface from where the pattern will be projected.
In the next step, make a copy of the free-form surface of the solid-body model (marked in bluish-purple). Cut out the non-patterned surface pieces from the copied surface.
Material can be removed from or added to the solid-body model by thickening the cut-out surfaces. The advantage of this method is, that due to the thickening, the resulting pattern fits to the original surface perfectly and follows it at a uniform distance at all points (in the normal direction).
