X-Git-Url: https://git.distorted.org.uk/~mdw/sgt/puzzles/blobdiff_plain/2b06373bea0e783c223b1caa9e5764f9b6016e83..c8266e0330789dceef7ece0cd4fdcc927d0ac5fc:/puzzles.but diff --git a/puzzles.but b/puzzles.but index fb61a82..865aad7 100644 --- a/puzzles.but +++ b/puzzles.but @@ -286,12 +286,14 @@ missing. See \k{common-id} for more details on this.) \i\cw{NETGAME.EXE} to avoid clashing with Windows's own \cw{NET.EXE}.) I originally saw this in the form of a Flash game called \i{FreeNet} -\k{FreeNet}, written by Pavils Jurjans. The computer prepares a +\k{FreeNet}, written by Pavils Jurjans; there are several other +implementations under the name \i{NetWalk}. The computer prepares a network by connecting up the centres of squares in a grid, and then shuffles the network by rotating every tile randomly. Your job is to rotate it all back into place. The successful solution will be an -entirely connected network, with no closed loops. \#{Is it also true -that a correct solution will not contain any cycles?} As a visual aid, +entirely connected network, with no closed loops. \#{The latter +clause means that there are no closed paths within the network. +Could this be clearer? "No closed paths"?} As a visual aid, all tiles which are connected to the one in the middle are highlighted. @@ -361,6 +363,15 @@ from the original Net window. } +\dt \e{Ensure unique solution} + +\dd Normally, Net will make sure that the puzzles it presents have +only one solution. Puzzles with ambiguous sections can be more +difficult and more subtle, so if you like you can turn off this +feature and risk having ambiguous puzzles. (Also, finding \e{all} +the possible solutions can be an additional challenge for an +advanced player.) + \C{cube} \i{Cube} \cfg{winhelp-topic}{games.cube} @@ -578,13 +589,13 @@ numbered square, and (b) the area of each rectangle is equal to the number written in its numbered square. Credit for this game goes to the Japanese puzzle magazine \i{Nikoli} -\k{nikoli-rect}; I've also seen a Palm implementation at \i{Puzzle Palace} -\k{puzzle-palace-rect}. Unlike Puzzle Palace's implementation, my version -automatically generates random grids of any size you like. The quality -of puzzle design is therefore not quite as good as hand-crafted -puzzles would be (in particular, a unique solution cannot be -guaranteed), but on the plus side you get an inexhaustible supply of -puzzles tailored to your own specification. +\k{nikoli-rect}; I've also seen a Palm implementation at \i{Puzzle +Palace} \k{puzzle-palace-rect}. Unlike Puzzle Palace's +implementation, my version automatically generates random grids of +any size you like. The quality of puzzle design is therefore not +quite as good as hand-crafted puzzles would be, but on the plus side +you get an inexhaustible supply of puzzles tailored to your own +specification. \B{nikoli-rect} \W{http://www.nikoli.co.jp/puzzles/7/index_text-e.htm}\cw{http://www.nikoli.co.jp/puzzles/7/index_text-e.htm} @@ -604,15 +615,23 @@ When a rectangle of the correct size is completed, it will be shaded. \H{rectangles-params} \I{parameters, for Rectangles}Rectangles parameters -The \q{Custom...} option on the \q{Type} menu offers you \e{Width} -and \e{Height} parameters, which are self-explanatory. +These parameters are available from the \q{Custom...} option on the +\q{Type} menu. -\q{Expansion factor} is a mechanism for changing the type of grids -generated by the program. Some people prefer a grid containing a few -large rectangles to one containing many small ones. So you can ask +\dt \e{Width}, \e{Height} + +\dd Size of grid, in squares. + +\dt \e{Expansion factor} + +\dd This is a mechanism for changing the type of grids generated by +the program. Some people prefer a grid containing a few large +rectangles to one containing many small ones. So you can ask Rectangles to essentially generate a \e{smaller} grid than the size you specified, and then to expand it by adding rows and columns. +\lcont{ + The default expansion factor of zero means that Rectangles will simply generate a grid of the size you ask for, and do nothing further. If you set an expansion factor of (say) 0.5, it means that @@ -627,6 +646,17 @@ and more intuitive playing style. If you set it \e{too} high, though, the game simply cannot generate more than a few rectangles to cover the entire grid, and the game becomes trivial. +} + +\dt \e{Ensure unique solution} + +\dd Normally, Rectangles will make sure that the puzzles it presents +have only one solution. Puzzles with ambiguous sections can be more +difficult and more subtle, so if you like you can turn off this +feature and risk having ambiguous puzzles. Also, finding \e{all} the +possible solutions can be an additional challenge for an advanced +player. Turning off this option can also speed up puzzle generation. + \C{netslide} \i{Netslide} @@ -730,6 +760,23 @@ type a digit or letter on the keyboard to fill that square. If you make a mistake, click the mouse in the incorrect square and press Space to clear it again (or use the Undo feature). +If you \e{right}-click in a square and then type a number, that +number will be entered in the square as a \q{pencil mark}. You can +have pencil marks for multiple numbers in the same square. + +The game pays no attention to pencil marks, so exactly what you use +them for is up to you: you can use them as reminders that a +particular square needs to be re-examined once you know more about a +particular number, or you can use them as lists of the possible +numbers in a given square, or anything else you feel like. + +To erase a single pencil mark, right-click in the square and type +the same number again. + +All pencil marks in a square are erased when you left-click and type +a number, or when you left-click and press space. Right-clicking and +pressing space will also erase pencil marks. + (All the actions described in \k{common-actions} are also available.) \H{solo-parameters} \I{parameters, for Solo}Solo parameters