From this rather simple question you will be able to tell I just got Raydream, and that it is testing the limits of my sanity. All I want to do is create a simple pyramid. And if anyone can tell me why they could'nt include one in the primatives pallet.

Just start out with a square in the Free Form modeler. Then select symmetrical as shown in the image above. Finally, use the arrow tool and select the end point of the envelope and drag it towards the center line/extrusion path. 3D modeling is absolutely the most counterintuitive thing that I've ever done. But once you get the hang of it, it's a blast! Good luck!

Would a vertex cube work? I mean, start with a cube, then weld the top four verticies together (I'm in Carrara, not sure if RayDream has the same sort of vertex modeller). --Terri

Yes, the Carrara VM method works better, I think. The spline pyramid is tricky at the peak, but the VM peak is a single point. Use a layers list of flat shaders applied to each of the faces. SMcQ

The other option is to start with the SplineModeler as Mark suggested. Instead of the envelope create another cross section at the end in order to make the tip. Select the end cross section & scale it to .1% (don't use 0). That's the fun part, many ways to skin the cat.

Thanks all. Your right willf all of these ways worked with great results. Makes me feel pretty bad when I could'nt even stumble on one of them on my own. Oh well guess I'll just have to keep plugging away at it. Thanks again. :))

No need to feel bad, working in 3D is quite odd at first. Funny, we live & work in a 3D world but when going from 2d to 3d art it is hard to orient yourself to the working space. Just ask-away, you will almost always get some help (unless nobody else knows either!).

One other tip -- when you're building a pyramid in the free-form modeler using Mark's technique, be sure to set the grid to "snap to," that'll make sure the point of the pyramid is a single point.... And keep on asking; that's what the forum is here for!

That, and sharing our favorite cheddar cheese recipes. Actually, I like these kinds of questions. It's really neat seeing all the different approaches. Do you suppose one could make a pyramid as a formula object? I was playing with simulating pyramid bricks ausing a formula shader a couple of months ago, but the object itself was a vertex object.

Here's my pyramid with my formula shader experiment (not really right along the edges). This is the formula I used for the Blender channel under Color, which was also copied under the Bump channel, in case anyone wants to play with it. w=5; h=5; b=5; g=0.1; r=b*2+1; d=h/r; e=w/(b+0.5); f=(z/d)-floor(z/d); j=(f<=y))?1:0; r=(m/e)-floor(m/e); s=((r<=x))?1:0; value=j||s||q;

UUUGGGHHH!!! I got "into" art to get "outa" math. Those formulas make my head spin! Good start on that pyramid formula twillis.

Well, the corners are screwed up, and I never went back to fix it. I came to Carrara via POV-Ray, which is all formulas. Also, my art background is technical drawing. Anyway, if I had been able to use descriptive variable names, my formula probably would make more sense (there is apparently a limit to how many character you can enter in the box).