Boolean experiment for stl exporting

[fae_alba]

In using A:M to create 3D models I've run into persistent challenges when trying to create a hole thru a solid body. For instance, for my seagull I need to model a servo mount with mechanical mount points for the servo. I want to model in screw holes so I'm not stuck with drilling and tapping after a print is done. Normally I would model a cylinder and stitch that into the model, but that always comes with messy splining, or a bunch of 5 point patches half of which can't be closed. So, I thought what about a boolean cutter? Could I use that to place a hole where I need it, then will the stl exporter see it and generate the proper code.

So I tried, and and while the boolean works in A:M, sadly the stl exporter doesn't understand what to do with it. So my quandry now is this. What is the best way to stitch in a tube without messy patches?

test.mdl

 

 

[fae_alba]

here's the same model with a tube stitched in. The remaining open faces simply refuse to accept a five point patch.test.mdl

[robcat2075]

My suggestion would be to export the model and the cutter as separate models, then do the boolean cut in one of those programs that  one uses to clean up/fix polygon meshes for printing, using one to cut the other.

 

[robcat2075]

It's possible that just exporting the two sections as named groups with in one model may be enough for you to identify which should be the cutter in the polygon program.