A method of forming a plurality of shaped holes on a workpiece. The method may include rotating the workpiece about multiple axes relative to a laser beam, and positioning the laser at a first predetermined angle relative to the workpiece. The laser beam is pulsed to form a first plurality of trepan cuts defining a row of metering holes. The laser beam, after adjusting to a next predetermined angle and adjacent a previous row of trepan cuts, is pulsed to create a plurality of rows of trepan cuts wherein each cut in the previous row of trepan cuts is connected to a cut in said subsequent row of trepan cuts. The plurality of rows of trepan cuts are formed in a side-to-side sweeping formation and define a portion of each of the shaped holes. Next, the laser is pulsed in alignment with the metering hole to remove debris from therein.