I just came across this Nest smoke alarm, and got curious about the pattern on the front: https://nest.com/blog/2013/10/08/meet-the-nest-protect-smoke-and-co-alarm/
Is it possible to somehow through one or more pattern features to create something like on the attached picture? I can't crack it myself. Help is appreciated ![]()

Solved! Go to Solution.
And Ryan... just to be sure - some of us need to get a real life ![]()
This is a pattern from scratch. Having tried all the clever things, I opted to go back to the curve template as posted before. It really does twist in your mind from one solution to the next. I have to hand it to the ID guys. They are a different breed!
I don't know what this is, but its cool!
Some kind of round hole in a square peg!
...and this pattern is "60x" so it lends itself to divisions other than 4.
Looks cool Antonius!
Attaching my model so people can see how I setup the extrude that got patterned because I did it a little different.
Intersting solution to determine the offset between pairs, Matt.
Nice!
Thank you for your input!
I'm always amazed by your skills and enthusiasm.
Whenever I have a question, you guys manage to give me a quick and detailed answer that I can learn from.
In this case I ended up using the method Matt came up with, but it's always interesting to see how the same result can be achieved in different ways.
The PTC Community rocks! ![]()

Nice picture, Esben. Is that a focus effect or is that a SLA part?
Thanks.
It is quick render, that I did with KeyShot.
Looks cool. I looked up KeyShot because I never heard of it. I was hoping for a free version, but there does not appear to be one. I used to render in POV-RAY back in the day. Back when it took hours and hours, today probably takes seconds on modern computers.
Thanks.
Not exactly seconds, but it's a matter of minutes. I think this one was in the oven for 20 minuttes. The depth of field takes a lot of time to render until it's not too grainy.
Very cool render, Esben. Love the Community kudos.
Thanks.
Cool focus effect Esben.
If I focus on one hole whole pattern seems like expanding...or maybe I had too much coffie.
Yeah, I see it too! ... or maybe I had too much coffee as well ![]()
Fun (unrelated) update to this discussion: Google just reportedly acquired Nest Labs for $3.2 billion in cash.
