How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Patchwork Log cabin

How to use Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Patchwork Log Cabin

This tutorial applies to Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Patchwork Log Cabin.

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 'log cabin' features.

Log Cabin is a type Patchwork design, resembling the way logs are stacked to build a log cabin.

This module includes:

• 4 different log cabin designs
• 3 colorization options (no colors plus two ways to add color accents, dependent on the log cabin design)
• Several options to fill a larger grid (maze) with a smaller log cabin design, just the way it's done in patchwork designs.

In addition to the log cabin options, this module includes the 'standard' maze generation and style options in the Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D collection.

Note: Due to the specific algorithm for Mazes 2D Patchwork Log Cabin, the Masks Add-On is not available for this module. It would go against the log cabin concept, and additionally, you wouldn't be able to mask smaller parts of the 'logs'. However, the Mazes 2D DIY Maze module can do all this and more.

Mazes 2D Patchwork Log Cabin

Select Mazes 2D in the main Puzzle Type dropdown menu, then select Patchwork Log Cabin in the (maze) Type dropdown menu. Click "Next Preview" to quickly get a first impression. (Changing settings does not automatically create a new preview, because you may want to change multiple settings, and the mazes, especially at larger sizes, may take some time to generate).

On the special Log Cabin tab, you can see several groups of settings:

1. The Log Cabin settings Variation and Steps
2. Repeat settings
3. Colorization settings

Variation and Steps

Currently there are four different Log Cabin variations in this maze module:

1. Standard
2. Courthouse Steps
3. Chimneys and Cornerstones
4. Chevrons

For each variation you can customize the size ("Steps"), this will add more log levels.

Repeat Settings

As you can see, these separate grids have quite long cells, which would result in fairly easy mazes. That's why there's the option to fill a larger grid with these log cabin patterns, and generate a maze for the entire grid. The grid size is determined by the Rows/Columns settings in the Puzzle Control area.

There are several 'Repeat' options:

• Copy - this will just copy the log cabin pattern until the grid is filled.
• Rotate Clockwise (1x, 2x, 3x)
• Mirror Vertically or Horizontally or both
• Random - will randomly select one of the repeat options for each maze you generate.

Finally there's the "Full Repeats Only" option: When you want a 50x50 puzzle, but the log cabin size you selected is 8x8 squares, the log cabins at the right and bottom will be cut off. This may not be a problem, but especially when you use the colorization options, you may want to show only full log cabins. The Full Repeats Only option lets you do that. In the 8x8 log cabin example and a 50x50 maze, it would generate a 48x48 maze instead, using 6 log cabin patterns in each direction.

Colorization Settings

Colorization of your mazes is not required, but it can be a nice touch. In patchwork / quilting there's usually a kind of contrast in the different fabrics that are used, resulting in patterns like this:

You can use this for a maze as well. There are three colorization options and a random option

1. No Color
2. Color Variation 1
3. Color variation 2
4. Random (Randomly choose one of the three options for each maze you generate)

The colorization can give a true patchwork log cabin look and feel to the maze, as you can see in these examples.

Just like other Puzzle Maker Pro modules, it's best to play around with the settings, generate previews of the mazes, and find settings that fit your style. Don't forget to save these settings as presets, for later reuse!

Further Reading

• Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Overview

• Puzzle Maker Pro - Style Options

• Puzzle Maker Pro - Time Saver for Mazes 2D