Question 1

POD Graphics Maker - Roman Mosaics animated demo

Accepted Answer

Watch the effect of the sliders to get a feel for POD Graphics Maker

Question 2

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Cubism

Accepted Answer

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Cubism

This tutorial applies to Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Cubism and Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Cubism Variations Add-On.

The tutorial "How to use Mazes 2D Squares" describes how to use the generic options for Mazes 2D.

In this tutorial we'll explain the specific 'cubism' features.

This module works by splitting the entire canvas into smaller areas (squares, rectangles or triangles).

Note: Due to the algorithm used by Mazes 2D Cubism, the Masks Add-On is not available for this module.

Mazes 2D Cubism

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/7pdkcni44w/Mazes%20Cubism%20Overview%20Fifty%20Fifty.png (Mazes Cubism Overview Fifty Fifty)

To use Mazes 2D Cubism, select "Mazes 2D" in the puzzle type dropdown menu, and then select "Cubism" in the Puzzle Control area. Next, click preview to generate a first maze.

The number of rows and columns defines the smallest possible square in the maze. However, due to randomization, it's not always guaranteed that this size will occur
The "Split Ratio" slider controls how often squares (or rectangles) will be split into smaller squares or rectangles. To keep many relatively large squares and rectangles, move the slider to the left. To get many small squares and just a few larger ones, move the slider to the right.

Mazes 2D Cubism Variations

The Mazes 2D Cubism Variations Add-On adds two new variations to the Cubism mazes:

Golden Ratio
Triangles

Golden Ratio

The Golden ratio (also sectio aurea / sectio divina) is a way to split a line in two sections, where the ratio between section 1 and section 2 is identical to the ratio between section 2 and section 1 plus section 2. This can be applied repeatedly.

Triangles

The addition of triangles will result in a completely different type of maze. In this case the maze will consist of squares, rectangles and triangles.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/MF8KmHwRjV/Mazes%20Cubism%20Overview%20Triangles.png (Mazes Cubism Overview Triangles)

To use Triangles, select the "Squares / Rectangles / Triangles option (1)

Choosing Background Images

You can find the Background Images setup on the "Output Settings" tab, then look for the "Background Images" tab.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/hoFkzwiNiV/Background%20Images%20Overview.png (Background Images Overview)

Click "Select Files" to select one or more files on your computer. Click "Clear List" to start over. A list of selected images be shown at the right
If the image is too large or too small for your puzzle size, you can choose to Zoom the image to a fitting size
If the image does not have the same proportions (relative width and height) as the puzzle size, you can change the alignment settings as well
Set the transparency for the image

The result can look like this:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/97i6pargNi/Background%20Image%20Zoom%20Gray.png (Background Image Zoom Gray)

Puzzle Settings

Depending on the puzzle type, you may need to change the color settings. For example, with Mazes, if you have set a fill color (or floor color) for the cells or squares, these will print over the background image. Set these fill colors to Transparent to show the background images.

Zoom and Alignment

If the image is larger or has different proportions than your puzzle type, you may need to check the Zoom option.

For example, if the result looks like this:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/OJl9T5mNTo/Background%20Image%20No%20Zoom%20Black.png (Background Image No Zoom Black)

For abstract images it may be fine to show only a part of the image though (that's why the Zoom is an option)

If the image has different proportions than the puzzle, for example the puzzle is 1000x1000 pixels and the image is 1500x500, you can use the alignment options to choose where the image will be printed.

Transparency

With the transparency option, you can use colorful or black images and make them look a bit softer. For example, an image like this would ruin the puzzle, because you cannot write numbers in the squares that are completely black.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/OfFWGCfPnz/Background%20Image%20Zoom%20Black.png (Background Image Zoom Black)

By making the image more transparent (e.g. 70-80% transparent), it creates the illusion of a shadow, creating a better looking puzzle:

Question 4

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Accepted Answer

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Question 5

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Accepted Answer

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Question 6

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Other Shapes Video Overview

Accepted Answer

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Other Shapes Video Overview

Question 7

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Oblique Video Overview

Accepted Answer

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Oblique Video Overview

Question 8

How to use the Time Saver for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

Accepted Answer

How to use the Time Saver for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

The Time Saver for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D works for:

The Time saver consists of two distinct parts:

Batch creation of mazes
Advanced layouts options with grids up to 10x10 puzzles or solutions

Batch Creation of Mazes

There are several ways you can control the mazes that are generated by the Time Saver

Using Presets
Enter rows in the control grid
Add images for masks using the Quick Mask options

We'll discuss these different options in the paragraphs below.

Batch Creation using Presets

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/Bgl3MfS42X/Mazes%202D%20Time%20Saver%20Presets.png (Mazes 2D Time Saver Presets)

To use this option, don't forget to click (check) the options "Use Time Saver" and "Use Time Saver - Preset Puzzles".

Click the tab "Preset Puzzles" on the Time Saver tab. At the left you can see all the presets for Mazes 2D. If they're not visible yet, click "Refresh List".

The presets shown here are presets that you have saved yourself. There are no built-in presets, since it's so very easy to create your own.

You can select one or more presets (using Shift / Ctrl to select multiple presets) and click "Add Selected". The default quantity for each preset is 1, you can change this by clicking on the number you want to change.

Preset puzzles can be combined with the "Fast" mode for the Time Saver.

Batch Creation using the Control Grid

When you use the Control Grid (the "Fast" option), The Time Saver will use most of the settings from the regular "Puzzle Settings". These will be overruled by the specific settings that can be entered in the grid.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/mOYcLeAuzp/Mazes%202D%20Time%20Saver%20Fast.png (Mazes 2D Time Saver Fast)

Select the maze type that you need, the quantity and the grid size (Rows / Columns)
Click "Add Row" to add a row to the Control Grid
Change options as needed in the Control Grid by clicking the number or item you want to change
Click "Create (TS)" to create the puzzles and optionally the Instant Puzzle Book

Batch Creation using Quick Masks in the Control Grid

If you have the Masks Add-On, you can use the Quick Masks option:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/v4rKADjwcp/Mazes%202D%20Time%20Saver%20Quick%20Mask.png (Mazes 2D Time Saver Quick Mask)

Set the maze type and grid size that you need. You should set the Quantity to 1, unless you want several puzzles with identical masks
Click "Add Quick Mask". This will open the file explorer on your computer, allowing you to select one or several images. For each image, a row in the Control Grid will be added
Change options as needed
Click "Create (TS)" to create the puzzles using the Time Saver.

How to use the Styling options for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

This tutorial applies to:

There are five different sections for styling, which are combined on 3 tabs, that can be found on the Style tab

Passage / Door Styling (Line Style tab)
Wall / Border Styling (Line Style tab)
Colors (Colors tab)
Solution Path Styling (Colors tab)
Start/End Settings (Start/End tab)

Line Style tab

Passages / Doors

The Passage / Doors settings control how large the openings between the different squares, circles or other shapes are. The maximum is 100% (completely open).

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/8A1ihjmN47/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Passage.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Passage)

As you can see in the screenshot, changing the passages setting will create a different 'atmosphere' for the maze.

In addition to the Passage Width setting, you can also randomize the Passage Width and/or the Passage Position, resulting in a more chaotic looking maze:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/Sh92ULE9XL/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Passage%20Random.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Passage Random)

Note: This setting is not used for the Small Circles mazes.

Borders / Walls

The Borders / Walls settings control the width (weight) of the lines between te squares, octagons or other shapes. The current maximum is 20% (of the square width).

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/K7PzfLysWo/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Walls.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Walls)

As you can see in the screenshot, this setting makes the walls much more pronounced.

Additionally you can randomize the wall thickness (or width / weight). This will determine a different line width for each cell (square, octagon, circle, etc) and draw all lines around the shape with that line width, resulting in a more hand-drawn, stylish look.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/XgCnQZEk0C/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Walls%20Random.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Walls Random)

Colors tab

There are five different places to set the colors for Mazes 2D:

The (Wall) Line color (Line Style tab)
The Font color for Start and End symbols (Start/End tab)
The Canvas and Cell 'Floor' color (see below)
The Solution line color (see below)

Canvas / Background Colors

The canvas and 'Floors' colors are two ways to fill the background of an image with color. The canvas is shown everywhere where there is no cell (square or other shape), the Floor color is shown for every cell.

The example below shows an extreme coloring scheme:

In this example we chose the Easy Octagons shape to illustrate the use of colors. All the purple areas are not covered by octagons, the yellow areas are octagons.

For square or oblique mazes, the canvas color will be shown when you use a mask to define the maze contours, otherwise it will not be visible.

Solution Line Style

You can customize the look and feel of the solution path (which will only be shown in the maze solutions!):

You can set the color (for puzzle books printed in grayscale you can select a contrasting gray color)
You can set the width (weight / thickness) of the path, this is a percentage of the cell width
You can choose a dashed path
You can choose a curved path (which often looks better for non-square shapes)

Below you can see two examples with the dashed and the curved path.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/5ohsZv5pa6/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Solution%20Dashed.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Solution Dashed)

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/AwBt1nYFRm/Mazes%202D%20-%20Styling%20-%20Solution%20Curved.png (Mazes 2D - Styling - Solution Curved)

Start/End tab

There are several options to customize the Start and End points in Mazes 2D:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/8JR1teg1iE/Mazes%202D%20Squares%20-%20StartEnd%20Options.png (Mazes 2D Squares - StartEnd Options)

You can choose to let the outside passage / wall open. This is shown in the green circle, where the left and top edges of the square are left blank
You can set the font and font color for the Start and End letters - just click the font preview panel that says Arial to change the font and other settings
You can change the letters to be used
You can use images instead of letters.

Using images for Start and End

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/JvF1MxnEjt/Mazes%202D%20Squares%20-%20Start%20End%20Images.png (Mazes 2D Squares - Start End Images)

To use images for Start and End, you can drag and drop images on the two white panels (the Start/End Image Settings), or click the panels and select an image).

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Other Shapes

This tutorial applies to Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Other Shapes.

The tutorial "How to use Mazes 2D Squares" describes how to use the generic options for Mazes 2D.

The Puzzle Maker Pro module Mazes 2D Other Shapes offers two additional shape styles for your mazes:

Easy Octagons, and
Small Circles

Easy Octagons

Mazes 2D Easy Octagons

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/QyQAq3WZ7v/Mazes%202D%20Easy%20Octagons.png (Mazes 2D Easy Octagons)

The maze type 'Easy Octagons' will create a maze with octagon shapes. It's called "Easy" because the little squares between the octagons are not part of the maze, making it easier to solve. This maze type is great to provide some variety in your maze or activity books.

All the maze and styling options are identical to the Mazes 2D Squares options.

By playing with the color and line styling, you can create some outstanding designs, such as:

Mazes 2D Easy Octagons

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/3ROK56FSuw/Mazes%202D%20Easy%20Octagons%20Styling.png (Mazes 2D Easy Octagons Styling)

Small Circles

Mazes 2D Small Circles

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/o3tEjFaiRA/Mazes%202D%20Small%20Circles.png (Mazes 2D Small Circles)

The maze type 'Small Circles' will create a maze with small circles instead of squares. This maze type is also great to provide variety in you rmaze or activity books.

By playing with the color and line styling, you can create some unique designs, such as:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/PNmYsHfsZe/Mazes%202D%20Small%20Circles%20Styling.png (Mazes 2D Small Circles Styling)

Small Circles - Limitations

Due to the nature of the circles, it's not currently possibly to use the Style options to configure or randomize the passages between the circles.

POD Graphics Maker - Roman Mosaics animated demo

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Cubism

How to add background images to my puzzles in Puzzle Maker Pro?

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Other Shapes Video Overview

Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Oblique Video Overview

How to use the Time Saver for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

How to use the Styling options for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Other Shapes