How to use More Clues for Puzzle Maker Pro Sudoku
This tutorial shows how to use the More Clues add-on. The tutorial applies to:
- Puzzle Maker Pro - More Clues Add-On for Sudoku 9x9 Regular
- Puzzle Maker Pro - More Clues Add-On for Sudoku Multidokus
- Puzzle Maker Pro - More Clues Add-On for Sudoku Other Grid Sizes
Introduction
We've used the name "More Clues" for sudoku puzzles where additional clues are added to the puzzle. This module adds the following options:
- Odd/Even - Mark the even cells in the grid
- Consecutive - Mark some of the cell borders where the cells have consecutive numbers
- Difference - Show the difference between some of the cells
- Compare - Show which of two bordering cells has a larger value than the other
- Threshold - Innovative sudoku variation where numbers greater than a certain threshold number are marked.
You can find the More Clues options on the "More Clues" tab for Sudoku Variations in Puzzle Maker Pro:
Using More Clues
The Sudoku More Clues add-on works on all sudokus, depending on your license. There are three license variations that are explained in the next section.
If you don't have a license for the sudoku type, the results will be watermarked. If you use (test-drive) the More Clues add-on without a valid license, the results will also be watermarked.
Sudoku symbol types
The More Clues options will work for sudokus with number, hexadecimals and Roman numerals. It will give unpredictable results for sudokus with letters and images, i.e. there is no numerical 'Difference'or Çomparison' for two letters or two images.
Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive
Even though the More Clues add-on can work with the Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive sudoku variations, it is not recommended to do so: Both Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive sudokus already have additional visible and invisible clues incorporated. Adding "More Clues" will reduce the difficulty level of these sudokus.
More Clues Licenses
- Sudoku More Clues Add-On for 9x9 Regular: This license allows you to use all the options of the More Clues add-on on the Regular variation of Sudoku 9x9. Additionally, it will allow you to use these options on the Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive variations of 9x9 sudokus.
- Sudoku More Clues Add-On for Variations: This license allows you to use all the options of the More Clues add-on on Variations of the regular sudoku for sudoku sizes 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and 9x9. Variations are the additional grid types such as Triathlon and Sensei (and all others). Additionally, it will allow you to use these options on the Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive variations of these sudokus.
- Sudoku More Clues Add-On for Other Grid Sizes: This license allows you to use all the options of the More Clues add-on for the Regular variations of all grid sizes except 9x9. Additionally it will allow you to use these options on the Checkerboard and Nonconsecutive variations of these sudokus.
More Clues Examples
Odd/Even
"Odd/Even" will give all the even numbers a colored background. The color is taken from the 'Grey Cell Color' setting on the Styling tab. In contrast to the Checkerboard sudokus, the even numbers can be in all cells. The colorization results a random pattern.
When solving this sudoku, almost half the options can be removed from each cell, making the puzzle quite a bit easier to solve.
Consecutive
"Consecutive" will add a small circle between some of the cells with consecutive numbers, for example 1 and 2, or 7 and 8. The clue will only be placed between cells that don't already have a clue in the sudoku puzzle.
You can select "Few Clues" or "Many Clues" for a rough indication of the number of clues. In many cases the number of cells with consecutive values is quite limited, due to the random nature of sudoku grids.
Compare
"Compare" will display the algebraic 'greater then' sign and 'smaller then' sign, to indicate the relationship between two cells. The clue will only placed between cells that do not yet have a clue in the sudoku puzzle.
You can select "Few Clues" or "Many Clues" for a rough indication of the number of clues.
Difference
"Difference" will display the math difference between two cells. For example '4' means that the adjacent cells contain 1 and 5, 5 and 1, 2 and 6, etc. The clue will only placed between cells that do not yet have a clue in the sudoku puzzle.
You can select "Few Clues" or "Many Clues" for a rough indication of the number of clues.
Threshold
"Threshold" will give all the cells with a value equal or larger than a threshold a colored background. You can set the threshold. This is a new type of sudoku which may need additional explanation in your puzzle books.
When solving this sudoku, depending on your settings, almost half the options can be removed from each cell, making the puzzle quite a bit easier to solve.