Question 1

How to create Brick Mazes with Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Bricks

Accepted Answer

How to create Brick Mazes with Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Bricks

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

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

The module Mazes 2D Bricks for Puzzle Maker Pro contains two maze puzzle types:

Patchwork Bricks, and
Patchwork Basket Weave

This tutorial focuses on Patchwork Bricks

Mazes 2D Patchwork Bricks lets you design your own maze in a several brick bond patterns. In addition to the different patterns and customizations, you can use an accent color for some of the bricks, resulting in a more playful (or artistically fulfilling) maze.

The module includes

7 different brick bond types
3 options to customize the size and position within each bond type
6 colorization options (including randomization of the colorization pattern and randomization of the color)

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

Note: The Masks Add-On is not available for this module.

Using Mazes 2D Patchwork Bricks

Select Mazes 2D in the main Puzzle Type dropdown menu, then select Patchwork Bricks 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).

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/u2HAbt0HhQ/Patchwork%20Bricks%20Overview.png (Patchwork Bricks Overview)

On the special Bricks tab, you can see three groups of settings

Select the brick bond type (variation)
Brick and position customization
Bricks Colorization

Bond Types

Currently there are 7 bond types included in Patchwork Bonds:

Flemish Bond
Stretcher Bond
Raking Stretcher Bond
Dutch Bond
English Cross Bond
Dearne's Bond
Rat Trap Bond

Customization Options

In general, as with most features in Puzzle Maker Pro, it's best to experiment and find out your own preferred settings.

Using slider "Height/Width Ratio" you can change the dimensions of the short brick

Using slider "Large/Small Brick Ratio" you can change the size of the large brick (relative to the short brick)

Using slider "2nd Row Shift" you can change the position of each 2nd row of bricks. In reality you shouldn't do ths for load-bearing walls... But for a simple maze, you can be creative.

The screenshot below is just one example of customized brick settings.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/yZPGzJsDSg/Patchwork%20Bricks%20Customization.png (Patchwork Bricks Customization)

Note: with these settings it's possible to create bricks that have barely any width, making it hard to draw the maze. The software should not crash when you try this, but the walls and passages may overlap. Always check a couple of previews to verify that the results are perfect.

Colorization Options

There are several ways to colorize the bricks in the bricks mazes, creating a more playful and/or elegant experience:

None, no colors will be used, besides the colors on the Style tab
Small Bricks, the small bricks will be colored using the Accent Color
Uneven Bricks, this will color every other brick using the Accent Color
Uneven Rows, this will color the bricks in row 1, 3, 5, etc, using the Accent Color
All Bricks, this will use the Accent Color for all bricks. This works best with the "Randomize Colors" option (see below)
Randomize Pattern, this will use a random Colorization pattern for each puzzle that's generated

The option "Randomize Colors" will create random colors close to the chosen Accent Color, creating a lively, more or less organic, colored wall. (Randomization is done by using a random number to the R, G and B codes of the color).

How to create Basket Weave Mazes with Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Bricks

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

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

The module Mazes 2D Bricks for Puzzle Maker Pro contains two maze puzzle types:

Patchwork Bricks, and
Patchwork Basket Weave

This tutorial focuses on Patchwork Basket Weave

Mazes 2D Patchwork Basket Weave lets you design your own maze using the Basket Weave pattern. You can customize the size of the basket, and there are quite a few colorization options, resulting in a more playful (or artistically fulfilling) maze.

The module includes

1 Basket Weave pattern in 8 sizes (2 to 9 bricks/cells per tile)
5 colorization options, and color randomization control

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

Note: The Masks Add-On is not available for this module.

Creating Patchwork Basket Weave mazes

Select Mazes 2D in the main Puzzle Type dropdown menu, then select Patchwork Basket Weave 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).

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/InjoZEAcpz/Patchwork%20Basket%20Weave%20Overview.png (Patchwork Basket Weave Overview)

On the special Basket Weave tab, you can see four groups of settings

Select the size (number of bricks) for each tile,
Select the Color Style and Accent Color
Select the Accent Color for Color Style 1
Select the Randomization Style for Color Styles 2 and 4

Basket Weave Steps

The number of Steps determines the number of bricks in each 'tile'. You can select a number between 2 and 9, resulting in 2 to 9 bricks horizontally in the first tile, and 2 to 9 bricks vertically in the second tile, etc.

Please be aware that larger tiles (e.g. Steps 7,8,9) will result in mazes that take less steps to solve (because the cells are larger).

In the screenshot above you can see a 20 x 20 grid, using tiles with 3 bricks each. At the right side and at the bottom, you can see that some of the tiles are cut off. That's because 20 is not a multiple of 18. You'll see 6 full tiles and 2 thirds of the tiles at the right and at the bottom.

To prevent this, you can use the option "Full Tiles Only", that will use the largest number of tiles possible without cropping any of them.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/bUaHpvv7WJ/Patchwork%20Basket%20Weave%20Full%20Tiles%20Only.png (Patchwork Basket Weave Full Tiles Only)

Basket Weave Colorization

There are 5 colorization options for Basket Weave mazes:

None - no additional colors will be applied
Bricks - Color Range: A custom color range will be calculated (see below). Brick 1 in each tile gets Accent Color 1, the last brick gets Accent Color 2, and each brick in between gets a color 'between' the other two
Bricks - Random Colors: Each brick gets a random color, but bricks in the same position will get the same color
Tiles - Checkerboard: Every other tile will be colored with the Accent Color, creating a checkerboard pattern
Tiles - Random Colors: Each tile will get a randomized color. Some tiles may get the same color

Color Range

The Color Range option used the two colors Accent Color and Accent Color 2, and will calculate steps between the RGB values of these colors. Let's say Accent Color = RGB (255,20,0) and Accent Color 2 = RGB (255,162,154). When there are three bricks in each tile (Steps = 3), the middle tile will get the 'averaged' color RgB (255, 91, 77). 91 is exactly in the middle between 20 and 91, 77 if exactly in the middle between 0 and 154.

This brief explanation is just to get a feel for it. It's best to play with the colors and find results that appeal to you. This mechanisme will work with grayscale colors as well.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/sof2BqySIP/Patchwork%20Basket%20Weave%20Color%20Range.png (Patchwork Basket Weave Color Range)

Random Colors

For random colors, a new color is selected 'near' Accent Color. The "Randomization Range" slider determines the maximum percentage that the new color can be changed from the Accent Color. When you use bricks with random colors, Brick 1 in each tile will always get the same color, etc.

When you select Tiles with Random Colors, each tile (the bricks in each tile) will get a different random color.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/MBYGaDjcFI/Patchwork%20Basket%20Weave%20Random%20Colors.png (Patchwork Basket Weave Random Colors)

That's all... it's a Basket Weave is a simple pattern, that gets a unique look and feel with the colorization options.

Security Step 1 - Windows

To let Windows know that you trust the downloaded file, right-click the Powerpoint file and select Properties.

Unblock File in Windows

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/5Tk3PaDOK8/Windows%20Unblock.png (Unblock File in Windows)

Make sure "Unblock" is checked, then click OK.

Security Step 2 - Powerpoint

After you double-click the Powerpoint file, Powerpoint may show a warning that Macros are disabled. In that case, you have to enabled macros to use the LCB Book Creator on your computer:

In Powerpoint, click the File menu-option, then click "Options", at the bottom. In the Options window, find the Trust Center options (at the bottom), and click "Trust Center Settings".

How to find the Powerpoint Trust Center

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/0NMByXbpKG/Powerpoint%20Trust%20Center%201.png (Powerpoint Trust Center)

Powerpoint Trust Center

In the Trust Center, find the Macro Settings, then click either "Disable all macros except digitally signed macros", or "Enable all macros".

Powerpoint Trust Center - Enable Macros

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/8uWjC3gkuF/Powerpoint%20Trust%20Center%202.png (Powerpoint Trust Center - Enable Macros)

Powerpoint Trust Center - Enable Macros

Step 3 - Install Add-In

Please be aware, if the security settings (Step 2) are set to "Disable all macros", you won't be able to install the add-ind.

Open the Powerpoint Add-Ins Manager

Open the Powerpoint Options window by clicking the File menu, then click Options (at the bottom left).

LCB Book Creator Manage Add-In's

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/sqyv4o12bN/LCB%20Book%20Creator%20Manage%20Add-In%27s.png (LCB Book Creator Manage Add-In's)

LCB Book Creator Manage Add-In's

In the Options window, click the Add-Ins option, and select "PowerPoint Add-ins" in the dropdown menu at the bottom.

Add the new Add-In

The Add-Ins window may look different if you already have other add-in's installed.

LCB Book Creator Add New Add-In

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/YOsxR0LJHq/LCB%20Book%20Creator%20Add%20New%20Add-In.png (LCB Book Creator Add New Add-In)

LCB Book Creator Add New Add-In

Click "Add New" and navigate to the folder where you saved the LCB Book Creator addin. Please be aware that the plugin should stay in this location, otherwise Powerpoint will not be able to use it in the future.

Depending on your security settings, you may get a security notice (see below).

Handle the Security Notice

Powerpoint will let you know that you're installing something new, and let you decide whether to accept this.

LCB Book Creator Security Notice

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/XPHiX2fbr2/LCB%20Book%20Creator%20Security%20Notice.png (LCB Book Creator Security Notice)

LCB Book Creator Security Notice

The add-in file is signed with a digital certificate owned by "Core Insights" (click Show Signature Details to verify this). You can either "Trust all from publisher" or "Enable Macros". If you decide to "Trust all from publisher", Powerpoint will never show you the security notice again for future add-ins or updates.

Once this is done, you're ready to use the add-in in Powerpoint.

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