I created a forming tool based on a model. I added a delete body to remove the referenced feature.  I even broke external references, but I still got the error message "A form tool part cannot have external references".  So I thought I would outsmart the SW and save the model as an STEP, then bring it back in as a part and make that a tool. Then it told me that: "An error was encountered while trying to open your file. Contact Technical Support for a posible solution."  Anyone know of a solution? 

Ultimately here is the goal.  I want to put a perf pattern on a sculpted (with curves and jogs) sheet metal part.  If we create the part then perf the model, the holes come out relative to a flat plane rather than perpendicular to the sheet metal surface.  I thought creating a forming tool would work well, but I'm having troubles no matter which way I try.

Any other ideasfor either solution?

Derek