I'm trying to replicate an ANSYS functionality within solidworks, as I have various geometry issues depending on any tool I try.

In ansys, I can project a surface onto a 3D object. This is great for when there is overhangs in my model to maintain the 'line of sight' deposition. Attached is an image that shows this feature.

I was wondering if there was a 'clean' way to do this in solidworks for objects with arbitrary shapes. I can imagine a few convoluted ways, such as offset surfaces for everything and then extrude cut a sketch involving a bunch of converted 2d profiles of the 3D object. 

I did try a projected curve, I may not have done it properly.