Use Patterns as Compound Profiles

You can use patterns of 2D objects as a compound profile.
 

 1. Draw a Polyline

2. Create an Array pattern of Polylines.

3. Start the Simple Extrude tool, Select the Use Compound Profile option. Select the pattern of polylines as the profile for the Simple Extrude operation. The result is Simple Extrude object.

4. Select the Pattern in the drawing and change Rows value, for example. Simple Extrude will be changed accordingly to pattern properties.

5. A Simple Extrude can be added to something using Boolean Add. Short Part Tree for such a complex object.