Question 1

How to Use Puzzle Maker Pro - JigSaw?

Accepted Answer

Like the other Puzzle Maker Pro modules, the best way to create puzzles with Puzzle Maker Pro - Jigsaw is by quickly creating an initial preview and then customize the different options and settings.

When you switch to Puzzle Maker Pro - Jigsaw, you'll see this view. (Details may be different in future updates of the software)

![Jigsaw 001 - Initial View.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/i6SyZtuvMp/Jigsaw%20001%20-%20Initial%20View.png)

Click on the white area just below "Select Image", or drag and drop an image file on it. You can use JPG or PNG files that you have on your computer.

After setting the file, click "Next Preview" at the bottom left, and you'll see a jigsaw puzzle, which can look a bit like this:

![Jigsaw 002 - First Preview - Solution.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/M456z7oFcV/Jigsaw%20002%20-%20First%20Preview%20-%20Solution.png)

This will usually be the solution of the puzzle, because that makes the most sense for many puzzle types. To view the actual jigsaw puzzle and the jigsaw puzzle pieces, click the checkbox "Preview Solution" at the bottom right of the window. The view will change into something like this:

![Jigsaw 003 - First Preview - Puzzle and Pieces.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/lmbu7bT83K/Jigsaw%20003%20-%20First%20Preview%20-%20Puzzle%20and%20Pieces.png)

If you want to save one or more puzzles with these settings, just click "Create". To generate several different puzzles at once, you can change the Quantity (which is by default set to 1).

Further reading:

[Changing the number of puzzle pieces](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/puzzle-maker-pro-jigsaw-pieces)

[Changing the jigsaw piece Connectors](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/puzzle-maker-pro-jigsaw-connectors)

[Using different Page Layouts](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/puzzle-maker-pro-jigsaw-page-layout)

[Configure the puzzle Styling](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/puzzle-maker-pro-jigsaw-styling)

Question 2

How can I select my image folder in POD Pattern Maker?

Accepted Answer

You should select an image file in the folder you want to use, and then it will use that folder. The cause of this: This way of selecting files instead of folders is a standard module that's part of Windows. But it's not intuititve the way it works now - although, when you know how it works, you'll quickly forget that it's strange. In POD Pattern Maker you can click the button "Select Folder" at the top left. This will show you the (standard Windows) 'select file' dialog. POD Pattern Maker - Select Image Folder 1.png

POD Pattern Maker - Select Image Folder 1.png

Navigate to the folder you want to use, open that folder and select any image in the folder (1). Next, click "Open" (2), this will pass the folder information to POD Pattern Maker. Now you should see a list of all the images in your folder: POD Pattern Maker - Select Image Folder 2.png

POD Pattern Maker - Select Image Folder 2.png

Now you can click on the images at the left to add them to the layer clipboard to create your pattern.

Question 3

Can you create puzzles with numbers using Puzzle Maker Pro - Word Search

Accepted Answer

You can easily create word search puzzles with numbers, using Puzzle Maker Pro - Word Search.

## Step 1 - Select a file with numbers or paste the list of  numbers

First of all, you need a list of numbers instead of words. The process is the same as for word search puzzles:
![Word Search - Number puzzles 2.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/haVcACKzjT/Word%20Search%20-%20Number%20puzzles%202.png)

These numbers will be used to fill the grid with digits. You can click preview to see the result, and you may notice that the empty squares still contain letters. (Not visible in the screenshot). Step 2 will fix this.
## Step 2 - Enter the numbers for the empty squares
![Word Search - Number puzzles 2.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/haVcACKzjT/Word%20Search%20-%20Number%20puzzles%202.png)
Find the 'Hidden Word' section on the Solution tab, make sure 'Random Characters' is selected, and enter enter 0123456789 in the text field. Click 'New Preview' again to verify that the result is what you want it to be.
Of course you can also add only a 0 in this field, to fill every empty square with a 0. That's up to you.

Right now the puzzle is correct, but there's one more step to make sure the PDF or PPT output looks good too:
## Step 3 - Set the sort order
By default, words will be sorted in alphabetical (dictionary) order. You can do that for numbers too, but especially if you use numbers of different lengths, like 11 and 90210, you may want to use the numerical sort order. You can find this on the 'Style' tab, below the color settings.
![Word Search - Number puzzles 3.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/89vI8kQz01/Word%20Search%20-%20Number%20puzzles%203.png)

Question 4

Is there a video overview of Puzzle Maker Pro - JigSaw Squares?

Accepted Answer

For those who prefer video tutorials instead of written text, here's a video overview of Puzzle Maker Pro - JigSaw Squares

Question 5

Which Product do I need to Purchase for Geometric Mazes

Accepted Answer

This pages lists the different options for Geometric Mazes.

At BookPublisherTools we work hard to preserve the value of your investment. Even though Geometric Mazes is a brand new module with new algorithms, the current owners of the Standard Mazes 2D module will be able to use the Squares option of Geometric Mazes without needing an additional purchase.
![Overview Geometric Mazes.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/k82wf3uELN/Overview%20Geometric%20Mazes.png)
There are two new products to get started with Geometric Mazes:
* "3 Shapes", as a sidegrade/upgrade for owners of Standard Mazes 2D (or Standard & Shaped Mazes 2D). You can also buy this module if you don't need the squares mazes at all.
* "All Shapes" is for new customers, who haven't purchase our other Mazes products in the past.

## Differences between Standard Mazes 2D and Geometric Mazes
In the (near) future, there will be two 2D mazes products in the product list in Puzzle Maker Pro: Standard Mazes 2D and Geometric Mazes. These modules use different algorithms to create the puzzles. While Geometric Mazes has some unique options (and will be getting additional add-on options), the Standard Mazes 2D product is more suitable for large mazes (100+ rows and columns) and is faster for batch creating lots of mazes.

There's also a difference in the 'random wall thickness' option: Standard Mazes 2D randomizes for each wall, while Geometric Mazes will randomize for each cell, resulting in different, more natural looking patterns.

## (Future) Add-on's for Geometric Mazes
Currently three different Add-on's are planned for Q4 2020:
* Masks (for squares, triangles and hexagons)
* Rooms and Crossings (Rooms are larger cells in a grid, only available for Squares. Crossings will be available for Squares, Triangles and Hexagons)
* Breadcrumbs (text - words or phrases, or images, to add an additional challenge to the mazes)

Question 6

How do I use the different Maze Generator options for Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes?

Accepted Answer

This overview will explain the different Maze Generator options.

Mazes are always constructed completely random. However, there two ways to control the randomness:
* Controlling the algorithm
* Controlling the type of path

##Controlling the algorithm

![10 Mazes 2D - Path Complexity.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/EA389U4UK4/10%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Path%20Complexity.png)
Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes contains a combination of different algorithms (rules) to create the maze. It's always random, but some algorithms create longer, meandering paths, while other algorithms create more direct paths.

In the screen shot you can see the slider for "Solution Complexity". When you slide it to the left, it will create straightforward paths, when you slide it to the right, the paths will be more complex. However, it's always random.

## Controlling the type of path
In addition to the maze generator algorithm, you can also choose how you want the path to run through the maze, by setting the start and end points. By default it runs from top left to bottom right, or in the case of circles, from top to bottom.
### Random Path
![11 Mazes 2D - Solution Path Style Random.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/r8Le03N96R/11%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Solution%20Path%20Style%20Random.png)
The "Random" Path option will randomly set the start and end points at opposite sides of the maze, as can be seen in the screenshot.
### Longest Path
![12 Mazes 2D - Longest Path.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/1mUrVzte4o/12%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Longest%20Path.png)
The "Longest Path" option will look over the generated maze, and find two points that have the longest distance to each other (the highest number of intermediate cells to pass), and choose them as start and end points. In most cases the start and end points will be somewhere in the middle of the maze.

Question 7

How do I use the Colors options for Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes?

Accepted Answer

This overview explains the different Colors options for Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes?
![30 Mazes 2D - Overview.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/61ZncrdL5X/30%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Overview.png)
There are two different sets of options on the Colors tab:
1. Colors for the canvas, floors, walls and solution
2. Settings for the Start and End points.

## Color Settings
![31 Mazes 2D - Transparent Canvas.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/Yrs6RV7i10/31%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Transparent%20Canvas.png)
### Canvas
The canvas is the background of the image, on which the maze will be drawn. For square or rectangular mazes this won't be visible. For other shape types, and with (future) add-ons like the Masks and the Crossings, it will have a major impact on your maze.

To create a Transparent canvas, as shown in the screenshot, you will need to select Transparent PNG is the file type (Output Settings --> Puzzle Files --> Puzzle Output Format). Otherwise the transparent background will be shown as black.
### Floors
The floors, the contents of each cell in the maze, can be any color, or you can make them transparent. In which case the canvas color will be shown instead.

There is no limit to color combinations you can use. An example is the screenshot below, using black for the floors and white for the walls:
![32 Mazes 2D - Reverse Colors.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/0fOczbSr6x/32%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Reverse%20Colors.png)

### Walls and Solution Path
The colors for the Walls and the Solution Path can also be set to any color. Depending on the colors you use, you may need to adjust the Wall Thickness or Solution Line Thickness on the Style tab.

## Start / End Point Settings
In Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes you can fully customize the Start and End point indicators. By default these will be printed as Text ("S" for Start, "E" for End) in black, using the Arial Font style. You can change the font by clicking the font preview panel (which shows "Arial" in the screenshot below, or by clicking the small looking glass on top of the panel).
### Outside Passage Open
![33 Mazes 2D - Start End Points.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/TYNEdjuza9/33%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Start%20End%20Points.png)

You can set the "Outside Passage Open" to enable make it possible to actually enter and leave the maze. 
### Using Images
You can also use images instead of text, to indicate the Start and End points for the maze.
![34 Mazes 2D - Start End Images.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/vcbdxwYKcP/34%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Start%20End%20Images.png)
First click the option "Images". This will display the two white panels where you can select the images you want to use. You can either click each panel and select an image (on your computer), or drag and drop an image onto the panel. (You can also drag and drop two images at once, dropping them on the left panel).

You can use images for any shape type, here's an example of a hexagons maze with the same images:
![35 Mazes 2D - Hex Start End Images.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/nJc1FBSaeB/35%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Hex%20Start%20End%20Images.png)

Question 8

How to Get Started with Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes

Accepted Answer

This tutorial will show you how to get started with Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes.

When you select the Geometric Mazes module in Puzzle Maker Pro (1), you'll see a window similar to this screenshot:
![01 Mazes 2D - Initial View (2).png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/WHaX9pO8oC/01%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Initial%20View.png)

In this window you can:
* Set the type of maze you want, and set the size for your maze (2),
* Configure how your maze will be generated (4),
* Set additional Maze properties such as style and Colors (3)
* Use future add-ons for Geometric Mazes (3)
* And finally - Create or Preview your maze (5).

## Different shape types
Puzzle Maker Pro - Geometric Mazes offers 4 different shape types, which are enabled depending on your license. (Read more about Geometric Mazes licenses [here](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/geometric-mazes-purchase-information)).
### Squares
Mazes with squares are the most easy to understand: You can set the number of rows and the number of columns for the total maze grid, and the software will generate a nice meandering path using some of these squares. An example is the screenshot at the top of this page.
### Triangles
Triangles mazes are made up from triangles, alternatingly pointing up and down. A triangle based maze can never be fully square in size (unless you do some advanced math).
![03 Mazes 2D - Triangles.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/qW45nPAk0J/03%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Triangles.png)
You can see in this image that a triangles maze with 20x20 triangles is not exactly rectangular.
### Circle
A circle maze consist of several concentric circles. The number of maze 'cells' in each larger circle will be larger than the smaller circles, to make sure all the cells are more or less the same size.
![02 Mazes 2D - Circle.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/aJ5l2Ta3DI/02%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Circle.png)
The number of rows and columns for circle mazes have a special logic:
* Rows: The number of rings you encounter when you count from top to bottom or left to right. This setting is actually double the number of circles that are drawn.
* Columns: This is the number of parts of the center circle, which can have a value ranging from 3 to 10. (This is a UNIQUE feature that you won't find in any other maze software). 4 or 6 are great values to work with, but you can experiment with the other numbers.
(The math: The total circumference of a circle is 360 degrees. When you set the columns to 3, you get three parts of 120 degrees each. With 10 columns, you get 10 parts with 36 degrees each).
### Hexagons
Hexagons are shapes with 6 sides. An example can be seen in this screenshot:
![04 Mazes 2D - Hexagons.png](https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/iClafwvPIm/04%20Mazes%202D%20-%20Hexagons.png)
The number of columns that are drawn for hexagons will always be odd, to add corner shapes for bether esthetics.

Links to tutorials to configure all the different settings for Geometric Mazes can be found at the bottom of this page.

## Save and Preview
For new Puzzle Maker Pro users:

At the bottom of the window, you can see three buttons and an option (checkbox)
* "Create" will create new mazes. This will use the quantity setting (Basic Options, at the top of the Puzzle Settings tab), to create 1, 2, 5 up to 1000's of maze puzzles. Each puzzle consists of a puzzle image and a solution image. WARNING: for large puzzle sizes (70-100) this may take a while for each puzzle.
* "Next Preview" will generate a new maze that is shown in the preview panel (the big maze image at the right side of the Puzzle Maker Pro window). This is not saved to disk, but is an easy and interactive way to play with the settings and see what happens.
* "Save Preview" will save the current preview.
* "Preview Solution" can be used to toggle the preview panel from solution to puzzle. For mazes it's usually convenient to preview the solution (otherwise you won't see the solution path).

## More Tutorials
* [Maze Generator Options](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/geometric-mazes-generator-options)
* [Style Options](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/geometric-mazes-style)
* [Color Options](https://help.bookpublishertools.com/faqs/geometric-mazes-colors)
* Add-Ons: Masks, Rooms and Crossings, Breadcrumbs. (These tutorials will be added once the add-ons have been released).

Question 9

How to Add Page Numbers to Powerpoint Puzzle Books?

Accepted Answer

This short video tutorial will show you how to add page numbers to the master slides in Powerpoint. Besides page numbers you can use these master slides to add any kind of content you like.

Question 10

How to create shaped mazes from silhouette images

Accepted Answer

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

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