Question 1

Create Isometric Mazes with Mazes 2D Tiles

Accepted Answer

Create Isometric Mazes with Mazes 2D Tiles

In this tutorial we’ll show you how to create isometric mazes with Puzzle Maker Pro – Mazes 2D Tiles. We recommend you start by reading Getting Started with Mazes 2D tiles, so you understand the basics of this program.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/HvD7TPK5AE/Mazes-2D-Tiles-Isometric-Mazes-Steps.jpg (Mazes-2D-Tiles-Isometric-Mazes-Steps)

First Steps

To create an isometric maze, select “Isometric – Classic” from the Grid Type dropdown menu. You’ll see a preview of the maze, using the current settings (1)

To use your own tiles, click “Browse” (2). To select a folder, just select one of the images in that folder, and click “Open”. That will select the entire folder, not just the single image.

If the preview panel is not centered, you can do so by moving the mouse wheel when you hover over the image.

Isometric - Full Square

The diamond shaped maze is what we call the ‘Classic’ variation of isometric. This is the isometric style you often see in video games. However, we also offer the option to fill the entire canvas with isometric squares. This option is called "Isometric - Full Square". This will add more cells to create a square maze, as seen in the picture below. We also recommend this option if you want to work with masks. Below is an example of a maze generated with the Isometric Full Square option selected.

Creating and Using your own tiles

It is possible to use your own tiles for Mazes 2D Tiles. You can find this information at Mazes 2D Tile Format and Naming Conventions.

Making isometric tiles yourself sounds more difficult than it really is. There are multiple ways you can go about it:

You can use regular square tiles, and our Tile Multiplier Add-On. With this method, you will only really need 5 or 6 square tiles for the maze, and two additional images for a start and end point. This can even be done in powerpoint if you don't have Photoshop or equivalent. Here is a video on How to Create Square Tiles with MS Powerpoint. Do note that while the tile multiplier will rotate images for you, it does not add the suggested depth shown in the example images on this page.
You can draw the isometric tiles yourself. We have tutorials on how to do this in Adobe Illustrator, but this can be done in other graphic programs as well. A Video on making Isometric Tiles with Adobe Illustrator, The Text for making Isometric Tiles with Adobe Illustrator
Last but not least, you can find isometric tiles on the web. There are both free and paid options available, although most free sets seem to only be available in 32 or 64 pixels. Depending on your maze and your image settings, this could lead to a blurry final maze. An example of other tiles can be seen below:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/FaHK2YMRM4/Mazes-2D-Tiles-Kenney-Roads-example-1024x545.jpg (Mazes-2D-Tiles-Kenney-Roads-example-1024x545)

Isometric maze using public domain tiles (Tiles downloaded from https://opengameart.org/users/kenney)

As you can see in the image, there are some 'holes' in the maze. We have selected 10 Empty Cells, and because there is no '0' image, which would be an image with 0 connections to the tiles surrounding it, these are left empty. This can result in a 3D effect when you use isometric tiles.

Masks and Texts

There are two kinds of masks you can use with the Graphics Maker software. Three, actually, but they are hidden under two different tabs.

text masks
Graphic masks

Let's look over them.

Graphic Masks

We've set up a quick and easy pattern with 001, Tile Labyrinth. There is some fluidity, we've added bounding boxes, and some colours. Tips on how to do this are found in the Getting Started tutorial.

There are two ways to set up a graphics mask. One is very similar to masks in any other software from Bookpublishertools. You select a silhouette image and it becomes a mask.

Image Masks

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/vvYKl8uQWl/mask.jpg (mask)

Now, it's also possible to change some settings here, such as inverting the image, recolouring the image to turn the masked image parts to white, and stretching.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/E3MoDeekM8/mask%202.jpg (mask 2)

Built-in Masks

Now let's play with the other option, the Built In masks. These are unique to POD Graphics Maker, and while they are not quite as unique as custom PNG masks, you can still do some amazing things with these.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/RakrjLHHvG/Masking%20Built%20In%20Masks.jpg (Masking Built In Masks)

Pretty interesting, right?

Let's see what we had to do to get these results.

Repeats horizontal and vertical. As you can tell we have both set to 5, for a total of 25 circles. You can also change the size, and their horizontal/vertical positioning.
Pen colour and mask shape. We've set the pen colour to a dark green to go with our colours in the background. We've used a circle cut out, meaning that everything is greyed out except the 5x5 circles. There are multiple mask shapes that come with the software.
Height and Width of the cutouts. We've put these both at maximum so they touch. If you want it even bigger, change the size at step 1, and you get overlap, which can look really good too.

And just like that, we've created a simple background with the built-in masks.

Text Masks

While you can combine Graphic masks and Text overlay masks, we're quickly turning off the graphic masks, so you can better see the results of the text overlay masks.

First of all, let's enable the Text Overlay. The standard word input is "LOVE".

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/d2DZPXy9Kz/Text%20overlay%20standard.jpg (Text overlay standard)

Great. Now let's try playing with the settings a bit to get something that looks better and can actually be used. You can change the text, center the text, change the colour of the text, or even use the text as a mask.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/N7XDXzruTO/2023-11-17_11-13-05.jpg (2023-11-17_11-13-05 (2024).jpg)

Interesting...

Now what we've done here is change the font to something Bold, changed the text, and selected the option to use the text as a mask. You can make the text as long as you want too.

Getting Started with Link Finder (Plugin for Powerpoint)

The Link Finder plugin for Powerpoint is a tool to help you manage all the invisible link shapes that you (or your designer) may have added to a Powerpoint file.

If you haven't yet installed it, please do that first. You can find a tutorial on how to install Link Finder and our other Powerpoint Plugins here. (Link Finder is included in the download for Easy Journals).

##Finding Links

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/FlzkMszl5R/Link%20Finder%2001%20-%20Set%20Up%20colors.jpg (Link Finder 01 - Set Up colors.jpg)

The slide that's shown in this screenshot contains a couple of invisible shapes with links to other slides. It's hard to find these, especially if you haven't created the slide yourself, or if it was created a long while ago.

In the plugin panel you can see only very few options:

The color (now set to a very bright green color). Invisible shapes will be set to this color,
Transparency, ranging from 0% to 100% transparent. Although it makes sense to make the shapes opaque, that would also mean you cannot see the shape below it (which may have meaningful text). That's why you can set transparency to e.g. 20%. (The best value depends on the color you select and the colors of the shapes in your Powerpoint file).
A selector for "Current Slide" or "All Slides".

Click "Find Links" to find the invisible (transparent) shapes that contain link. It will show something like this:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/IfR4VZLk8I/Link%20Finder%2002%20-%20Results.jpg (Link Finder 02 - Results.jpg)

Once you've done your inspection or editing, you can make the links transparent again by using "Hide Links". This will make the shapes fully transparent again, but it only works for shapes previously found with "Find Links".

Question 5

Easy Journals Pro video tutorial

Accepted Answer

This video shows you how to quickly create low content books with Easy Journals Pro Plugin for Powerpoint

Question 6

How can I get started with the FreeStyle module of Ultimate Planner Maker?

Accepted Answer

This video tutorial will get you started with Ultimate Planner Maker FreeStyle

Question 7

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Accepted Answer

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

Question 8

On how many computers can I install Puzzle Maker Pro?

Accepted Answer

Aach license of Puzzle Maker Pro is sold to be used by one single person on one single computer. However, we can fully understand that you may want to use the software on both your laptop and your desktop. This is allowed.

However, if more than one person will be using the software at the same time, it's only fair that you purchase multiple licenses. Incidental use, such as a spouse, parent or child helping you out for an hour or two, is allowed. However, if you have a VA (Virtual Assistant) or an in-house assistant who's also spending considerable time with the software, that person should have a license of their own.

To summarise: every person using the software should have their own licence to the software.

Question 9

How to use the Masks Add-On for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares

Accepted Answer

The Masks Add-On for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares

With the Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares you can create shaped mazes. Mazes in the shape of anything you want.

This add-on supports three different styles of mask creation:

Quick Masks
Create masks in the Mask Editor using a silhouette
Create masks in the Mask Editor manually

Of course you can also combine the two: Use a silhouette first, and then manually edit the resulting mask.

You can find the mask options under the Mask tab.

Mazes 2D Squares - Mask Tab

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/MtMjI9wSGg/Mazes%202D%20Squares%20-%20Mask%20Tab.png (Mazes 2D Squares - Mask Tab)

To use a Mask, the first step is to click the “Use Mask” checkbox. That will let the software know that it should use a mask. (You can also uncheck it, to temporarily disable a mask that you’ve set up).

Whenever you switch the Maze Type, the mask will reset.

Note: the details may work slightly different for different shapes, but the main mechanics are the same.

This tutorial applies to the following products:

Masks Add-On for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D

Quick Masks

The easiest option to create a mask, is the Quick Mask option.

First, you need to select an image. Either beither clicking the white panel below the “Use Quick Mask” checkbox, or by dragging your image onto that panel.

Next, click the “Use Quick Mask” button, and click “Next Preview”.

Mazes 2D Squares - Quick Mask

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

When you do this, there can be different outcomes:

You get a shaped maze, like the example screenshot.
Nothing happens
You get a result, but it’s underwhelming

After the Quick Mask is generated, the “Use Quick Mask” checkbox will be unchecked automatically – Generating a mask from a bitmap image takes time, and you may not want to generate the same mask over and over, while you’re adjusting style settings (or selecting different tiles).

However, if you want to create a new mask with the Quick Mask feature, because you changed the grid size or the image, you have to manually check this checkbox again.

Quick Mask - Nothing Happens

The Quick Mask option will try to generate a mask, using the grid settings (the number of rows) and the image you selected. It will do so by analyzing the silhouette image, using AI to find settings that result in a "Connected Mask" is created.

Connected Mask – To create a maze, all the cells in the grid must be connected. When you use a mask that results in separate ‘islands’ of cells that are not connected, the mask cannot be used.

If the AI cannot find a Connected Mask the Quick Mask generator will give up, and there will be no mask.

Underwhelming Results

In many cases, especially when you’re first starting to use the Masks Add-On, the result may be a bit underwhelming. The screenshot shows an example of what can happen:

Mazes 2D Squares - Mask Underwhelming Result

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/UXRLQg5SpU/Mazes%202D%20Squares%20-%20Mask%20Underwhelming%20Result.png (Mazes 2D Squares - Mask Underwhelming Result)

Even though we started with the silhouette of a car, and a mask was created, the resulting image and the maze do not resemble a car. This is not a bug: The mask generator did what it’s supposed to do – each cell that has enough colored (in this case black) pixels, will be added to the maze.

However, when the grid is too small (in this case 12 rows) and the lines of the silhouette are too thin, the cells won’t be part of the mask. In this case the roof of the car, and the top of the headlights are not part of the mask.

You can increase the number of rows for the grid, to create a better mask, or optionally use the Mask Editor to manually create a good mask based on the silhouette.

Mask Editor - Using a Silhouette

To create a mask from an image, you’ll need an image that can work as a silhouette: You can set which background color(s) to remove from the mask, and all other colors will be part of the mask. The masks feature won’t work well with line-art images.

When you click “Edit Mask”, you’ll see the Mask Editor:

Mask Editor Overview

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/RQbQUfYO33/Masks%20Add-On%20Mask%20Editor.jpg (Mask Editor Overview)

The resulting mask. If you already had a mask selected, it will be shown here, otherwise all cells will be part of the mask,
The image selection panel. Either click here to select an image, or drag and drop an image onto the white panel
Depending on the image, you may need to adjust the background color
At the top you can see a status message. In the screenshot it’s green “Cells are connected”. If there are disconnected ‘islands’ of cells in your mask, it will show a warning in red.
After selecting an image, you can change the Mask Sensitivity to create a better result,
After changing the grid size or Mask Sensitivity, click “Scan Image” to create the new mask from the current image. This will overwrite any manual changes that you’ve made.

You can toggle each square (or tile) in the mask by clicking on it, or by using the advanced editing options:

Setting the background color

For regular silhouette images, the background will be either white or transparent. You can also select a different color, or even switch the foreground and background for a silhouette image. It’s also possible to use white and a selected other color and transparent as three different options to determine the background.

Changing the Mask Sensitivity

The Mask Sensitivity is the threshold for background pixels in each cell (square or isometric). If there are more background pixels than that threshold, it will be excluded from the mask. Otherwise it will be included. You can manually adjust the threshold to create a slightly different mask from your image.

Three examples of different Mask Sensitivity settings:

Mask Editor - Scan Sensitivity

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/I3rpsYCuEO/Masks%20Add-On%20Sensitivity.jpg (Mask Editor - Scan Sensitivity)

Create Masks Manually

Click on the “Manual Editing” tab (in the Mask Editor) to reveal the advanced editing options:

Masks Add-On Manual Mask Editing Options

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/wuGqS3zSeN/resources/zLPM5rq2AZ/Masks%20Add-On%20Manual%20Mask%20Editing%20Options.jpg (Masks Add-On Manual Mask Editing Options)

Action - Toggle will switch the color from black to white and vice versa. This will include or exclude the cell or range from the mask.
Action - Copy Color will copy the color of the clicked cell to all the cells in the range
Range Type: When you click on a single cell (tile), you can select whether just the cell, the row or the column have to change color
Range Size: Adjust 1, 3 or 5 cells, rows or columns at a time

The screenshot shows the result after two mouse-clicks:

Click on a cell with Action “Toggle”, Range type “Row” and Range Size “3”
Click on a different cell with Action “Toggle”, Range type “Column” and Range Size “3”

You can see that by using Toggle, some of the white cells in the rows have turned black again. By using “Copy Color” you can prevent this.

You can also see that the result of these two actions is a maze that is NOT connected (see the red warning at the top of the window). I’d have to do more editing to make this into a good shape for a maze.

Note: clicking the cells for editing is somewhat sensitive. If you move the mouse while clicking, the software will not know whether you want to move or click. (If you zoom in, using the mouse wheel, you can click and drag the image, to view exactly the part that you need to see best).

Create Isometric Mazes with Mazes 2D Tiles

Can I get an overview of what Puzzle Maker Pro can do for me?

Using Masks in POD Graphics Maker

Getting Started with Link Finder (Plugin for Powerpoint)

Easy Journals Pro video tutorial

How can I get started with the FreeStyle module of Ultimate Planner Maker?

Masks Add-On for Mazes 2D Squares Video Overview

On how many computers can I install Puzzle Maker Pro?

How to use the Masks Add-On for Puzzle Maker Pro - Mazes 2D Squares

Latin Squares Video Overview