Creating a parametric pyramid

In this task, you will use the Pyramid command to create a parametric pyramid.

1 After starting the command, in the Point drop-down list select the type of placement point for the pyramid you are going to create:
Base center The point you specify will be the center of the pyramid base.
Center of mass The point you specify will be the center of mass of the pyramid.
To go on with this task, select Base center.
 
2 In the Edges box, you can define the number of sides of the base polygon.
 
3 Click in the position you want to place the base center of your pyramid at (or use the Snap commands to place the pyramid with reference to an existing entity inside the model). As soon as the placement point is specified, a set of handles is displayed.



At any time during the creation of the pyramid, you can:
  • Change the position of the placement point just by clicking in a different position.



  • Change the orientation of the pyramid. The three arcs represent the three angles of rotation (about each of the three orthogonal directions). You can rotate the pyramid about an axis by dragging the corresponding arc or by typing the value of the rotation into the Angle box which shows up when you pick the arc.



    You can also use the X Axis, Y Axis, Z Axisdrop-down lists under Axis Alignment:
    Line to align the axis to a line. Select the line.
    2 points to align the axis to the direction identified by the two points. Select the two points.
    End point to align the axis so that its second endpoint coincides with a point. Select the point.

     
4 In the Base By drop-down list, choose the creation method for the base polygon:

Radius The base polygon will be the one with the number of edges defined as described above and inscribed in a circle which you will define the Radius of.
Edge length The base polygon will be the one with the number of edges defined as described above and with an edge length to be defined (Edge Length).

For this task, select Radius.
 
5 Depending on your Base By choice, you will have to define the Radius of the circle circumscribed to the base polygon (which is what you chose in previous step) or the Edge Length and the pyramid Height. You can either type the values into the said mini-dialog boxes, or define them interactively by dragging the corresponding handles.




By double-clicking on the appropriate red circle marker, you can also invert the direction of the pyramid.
 
6 The final result of the command can be either the set of surfaces composing the pyramid or a unique parametric solid pyramid. At any time during the creation of the pyramid you can decide about the result you want to obtain by controlling the status of the Associative Mode check box:
  • When the box is checked, the resulting entity will be a parametric solid. A drive dimension will be associated with the length of the pyramid edge or with the radius of the circle circumscribed to the base (depending on how you created the pyramid) and with the pyramid height. The number of edges can also be changed using the Redefine Feature command. The icon of a solid will be displayed in the Model Structure.
  • When the box is cleared, the final result will be the set of surfaces composing the shape.
For further details, see "Associative surfaces". To go on with this task, select Associative Mode so as to obtain a parametric solid.
 
7 Click or to confirm your selections and actually create the solid.



Click to discard your changes.