I just finished a custom "master pyramorphix" or whatever we are calling this design. I first saw this super-cool puzzle at the 3D Puzzle Construction Studio (http://csx.jp/~3dpuzzle/index.html). Thanks, Jaap, for explaining how to build it. It is built from a typical Rubik's Cube. It's big - about 40% bigger than a Meffert's Pyramorphix. Thanks to my son for the choice of colors.

Well done Carter. I hate work, all I want to do is start building puzzles.

I'm still not certain I know how this one works. I see how it is like a pyramorphix (cubic "symmetry" in a tetrahedron), but I know I would have to look at Ton's site again if I wanted to make one! Any chance of some pictures of it in a mixed state.

Max.

Looks cool!

An option for the size good be to use a keychain 3x3x3 as kernel. Then the master pyramorphix would be about the same size as a pyramorphix.

doesnt retain its shape. To do this you would need to restrict movements to ONLY 180 degrees (anyone know the ASCII code for the degrees symbol? i need it) I cant think of how to do this, anyone have any ideas?

I thought the beauty of the puzzle is that it goes into CRAZY!! shapes! like the pyramorphix, only worse. Is that the case? Or have i been hoping in vain??

it is part of the toy, everyone who has ever built it has had that "problem". If you like that, hey, whatever's good for you, i just say its a problem because we compare it to the Pyramorphinx. But pyramorph retains shape as this doesnt, so it really isnt a 3 layer pyramorph. But it still is a great looking puzzle

Great work, Carter! Been waiting to see your next item.

Fantastic Carter!! Im so glad Ive seen one of these in 'real life'!!!!

As for the size, i think some of the 'master' versions of puzzles should be a bit bigger than the normal version...

Do you think you could mess it up and post some photos???

How about some details on how you went about building it?

Congratulations.
Looks really good. Nicely in line etc..
It is an interesting puzzle to make.
If you are interested there is a photo of the one I made a few years ago in Waynes Wanted Puzzle List under the title of Tetrahedron 3x3x3 along with the truncated version.

Maybe it's too early in the morning, but it looked to me like you were saying the Pyramorphix doesn't change it's shape, and the Master Pyramorphix (Mastermorphix?) does, therefore they aren't related.

The Pyramophix changes into all kinds of shapes, of course:



Seems to me that a Pyramorphix is a tetrahedral-shaped 2x2x2, and a Mastermorphix is a tetrahedral-shaped 3x3x3. I can't imagine a much closer relation.

Sandy

Hi Tyler, the deg symbol isn't in the standard ASCII set. In the extended set it is "167" decimal, "A7" hex. So for html you could try "& # 167" (without the spaces) which gives § and might not work on all browsers but "& deg;" (again no space) degrees does!

If you don't mind me asking, what are you up to? Writting some nice C++ code for twisty puzzles??

Max

I know exactly what you mean. I can't wait to get home from work so I can work on puzzles. Here are some photos that somebody (Jaap or Wayne?) posted here earlier that show how to build this thing from a 3x3x3 cube.

I couldnt think of anything to do in c or vb for twisty, give me an idea ill do it though. I take ap C++ in school... kinda easy though. Its basically just problem solving with for loops. haha
Anyway, tahnks for the ascii code. I was just intereseted for my Chemistry Lab work

Just look at the Mental Block! I would have to agree with Tyler a bit. I prefer puzzles that keep there shape. Thats probably the Geometer in me, I just love the symmetry.

Don't get me wrong Carter, I would still love to have one of these!

How about considering a variation of this "Master pyramorphix" similar to the Stela Octangular variation of the original pyramorphix. Would make a nice puzzle me thinks

Max

It does change shape (pyramorph), but not to the magnitude that a 3x3x3 pyramorphix does, or "mastermorphix". In a pyramorphix it will always go back to its shape in about 3 turns (soemone confirm this, i dont have one on hand) whereas the 3x3 mastermorphix could take tons more than that.

So, as everyone was saying, yes, i guess it is a 3x3x3 pyramorphix but it still is a little bit different.

There is some info here:

http://home.ec.rr.com/specialpuzzles/Index.htm

Look under the Rhombic Dodecahedra Project.

Exactly.

i cant remember who did that either... ill post some pics of the individual pieces when i get a chance

Have you heard of GAP. It's a computer algebra package. It can tell you things like the size of a group, its centre....

If you can work in C or VB, how about a twisty puzzle frontend for GAP!

I'm thinking of something that would let you select a shape (cube, tetrahedron...) and let you define the cutting planes. The software would then quiry GAP (not really the right term) and tell lots of nice things about the algebra of the puzzle you have defined.

The command line for GAP is quite simple, but is time consuming to use. A graphics frontend would help.

Max

all pyramorph pieces are the same, all mastermorphix arent. If you dont know what i mean by they all arent the same, you will during construction pics. I dont mean that edges are different from edges, those are all the same. i mean that some corners arent the same as other corners.

Anthony, thank you for pointing out those pictures. Your puzzles look perfect. Were you the first to make this puzzle? Did you invent it?

I remember there being a picture of it at the 3d reconstruction studio a while before anthony made it, but they never made it. But, i also remember another japanese site had one, i emailed the guy about where he got it, he never wrtoe back.

I'm glad you suggested this. Here it is after 2 turns:



Here it is after 3 turns:



I'll bet there are some really cool shapes that could be made. If you guys have some suggestions, I would consider trying a few, and posting photos. Just be sure to explain your notation.

Isnt a pyramorphix a 2x2x2 in disguise so it can change into moderately crazy shapes?

i didnt see that you did it a few years ago, Anthony. So maybe you were first... Cool

Firstly, thanks heaps for doing that!!!!!! Thats what i wanted to see!

There are a couple of (cube) patterns which may look interesting. eg the checkerboard pattern: R2L2U2D2F2B2. this uses notation R for a clockwise rotation of the right face etc. since everything is a half twist, the puzzle will keep its shape. another one is the spot patterns...

finally, a good photo would be the thing completely messed up so it is in a shape beyond recognition!

This creation is beautiful! You have done it again, Carter.

I do have a question about solving this puzzle:
When I solve the Pyramorphix puzzle, I imagine in my head that it is a 2x2x2 cube. Similarly, would this also work with this puzzle by visualizing it as a 3x3x3 cube while solving? Would it be more difficult to visualize?

Doug.

Yes, you are correct. The pyramorphix is a modification of the 2x2x2 cube. And yes, it does change shape.

Doug.

Checkboard:



All messed up, but turned a cool way:

Yes. If you can solve a Rubik's cube, you can solve this thing. It IS a Rubik's cube, after all. The inner "ring" of pieces on each face were the edges of the cube. However, I think this puzzle is probably much easier to solve because all of the inner ring pieces for each color are identical. That would reduce the number of possible combinations considerably. Jaap could tell us how much.

Why does this puzzles change shapes? I thought it was sort of like a Pyraminx with more cuts, different cuts and turns the same way. Now I'm thinking it is like a Pyramorphix and a Pyraminx. Am I right? Please reply Carter!!!

A Pyramorphix is based on a 2x2x2. This "Master Pyramorphix" is based on a 3x3x3. It is most definitely not a Pyraminx.