How to perforate a arched surface

[ScottHolwerda]

I need to draw a surface that is a U shape on a 3-D object. The material needs to be perforated with small oval shapes. How can holes be inserted in the surface that has an arch shape on one end?

Thanks

 

[IFRs]

This is crude, but it should work if your arch is a 3D solid.

1) draw an oval.
2) extrude it longer than the radius of the arch
3) move it to the center of the arch
4) rotate it about the center point until it pierces the arch
5) copy and rotate or array the extruded oval until you have enough
6) subtract the ovals from the arch and they will leave holes in the arch