Question 1

How to use Shortcut Keys with Connect the Dots

Accepted Answer

This video tutorial demonstrates the use of Shortcut Keys for Puzzle Maker Pro - Connect the Dots

Question 2

Getting started with Puzzle Maker Pro - Connect the Dots

Accepted Answer

This video tutorial demonstrates the first steps to learn Puzzle Maker Pro - Connect the Dots

Question 3

How to Limit the number of words in a Word Search puzzle

Accepted Answer

Welcome to the tutorial on how to limit the amount of words in Puzzle Maker Pro Word Search.

These options are available in all versions of Word Search.

Limiting the Amount of Words

By default Word Search will try to fit as many words as possible in a grid.

However, it is possible to limit the amount of words, so there is more 'noise', and fewer words in a puzzle.

Puzzle Maker Pro – Word Search will allow you to set the number of words to unlimited (so, as many as possible), or to a certain limit.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/HSoTjmrD85/Word%20Search%20Limiting%20the%20amount%20of%20words.jpg (Word Search Limiting the amount of words)

Please be aware that this is a maximum number. Depending on the grid size, number of words, and word length, it may occur that fewer words end up in the puzzle.

Step 1: How to set the Main options

Make sure you have selected “Word Search” in the Puzzle Type menu (1). It doesn’t matter which edition you’re using.

Go to the Time Saver tab page (2), this will show you the Time Saver for Word Search options (3).

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/OnxEdnOwCa/PMP%20-%20Word%20Search%20-%20Word%20Lists%201.png (Time Saver for Word Search - Main tab overview)

The red box (4) indicates the word list options. You can also set all the other options as you wish, these are not part of this tutorial.

Step 2: How to select the Word Lists

Now select the tab “Word Lists” to select all the word lists you want to use.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/9SsAyGnaU5/PMP%20-%20Word%20Search%20-%20Word%20Lists%202.png (Time Saver for Word Search - selecting word lists)

This is fairly straightforward. You can select multiple word lists at once, and select word lists from different folders on your computer.

When you have selected all the lists you want to use, go to the “Batch Creation” tab.

Step 3: How to create multiple Word Search puzzles with one mouse-click

There are two options to create multiple Word Search puzzles at once, when you are using the Time Saver:

"Fast" - Create rectangular word search puzzles with different dimensions

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/qQ5dcIGh40/PMP%20-%20Word%20Search%20-%20Word%20Lists%20-%20Fast.png (PMP - Word Search - Word Lists - Fast.png)

For each row in this table you can set the number of rows and columns, the number of puzzles to be created and some other options.

For each row in this table it will use all the word lists specified in step 2. (Read step 4 for examples)

"Presets" - Create Word Search puzzles from your presets

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/NPCzOuXLLY/PMP%20-%20Word%20Search%20-%20Word%20Lists%20-%20Presets.png (PMP - Word Search - Word Lists - Presets.png)

When you use presets, you can select as many presets as you like for your current project. You can set the quantity (number of puzzles) for each preset, however you should keep in mind that it will process all word lists for each puzzle (see also Step 4).

Once you’ve set the Batch Creation options you need, don’t forget to check the “Use Time Saver to generate Puzzles” at the top left of the window, and click Create to generate the puzzles.

Step 4: How many different puzzles can you expect?

The Time Saver for Word Search can create a lot of puzzles for you: It will use each preset (or each line in the “Fast” table), then take each word list in turn (unless you combine them), and create the “Quantity” number of puzzles for that combination.

An example: let’s say you use 10 different word lists, you use 5 presets, and you set the quantity for each preset to 5. That will create 10x5x5=250 puzzles (instead of 5×5, what some people expect). In most cases you’ll want only 1 puzzle for each preset or use a single preset to create many puzzles. However, it’s up to you to decide and be creative.

Question 5

How to create Word Search puzzles

Accepted Answer

This video tutorial will show you how to create Word Search puzzles using Puzzle Maker Pro.

Question 6

How to create shaped mazes from silhouette images

Accepted Answer

This video tutorial will show you how to create a shaped maze.

Question 7

How to create a 'Draw' style pattern with POD Graphics Maker

Accepted Answer

This Youtube tutorial shows how to create Draw style patterns with POD Graphics Maker.

Pattern 02-2 - Draw is part of POD Graphics Maker XL Edition and Expansion Pack 02.

Question 8

How to create a 'Simple Shapes' style pattern with POD Graphics Maker

Accepted Answer

This Youtube tutorial shows how to create Simple Shapes style patterns with POD Graphics Maker.

Pattern 04-2 - Simple Shapes is part of POD Graphics Maker XL Edition and Expansion Pack 04

Warning: When you open this pattern, it may seem as if it's not working - the pattern depends on color settings, and will default to white if colors are not set.

Question 9

How to create a 'Labyrinth' style pattern with POD Graphics Maker

Accepted Answer

This Youtube tutorial shows how to create Labyrinth style patterns with POD Graphics Maker.

Pattern 00-1 - Labyrinth is part of POD Graphics Maker Starter Edition and XL Edition.

Question 10

How to Save your pattern in multiple sizes in POD Graphics Maker

Accepted Answer

This Youtube tutorial demonstrates how to save your POD Graphics Maker patterns in multiple sizes.

This works for all editions of POD Graphics Maker.