BUILDING A FILLOMINO PUZZLE

A FILLOMINO puzzle consists of a square grid in which some of the squares contain a single digit number. To complete the puzzle, a Solver must place numbers in the blank squares so that the puzzle is divided into zones with the area of each zone equal to the number contained within its squares. The zones may take on any shape, but zones having the same area may not touch each other. Each puzzle has a unique solution which does no require any guesswork to achieve. Puzzles can be built in sizes from 4x4 up to 8x8.

Menu Functions
  • File Menu
    • Load a Puzzle
      Use this option to choose your puzzle from the pool of FILLOMINO puzzles currently available on your computer.

    • SaveAs
      This option allows you to make an exact copy of the current puzzle using a different file name. The copy will be saved in the fillomino folder along with all of the Fillomino puzzles you have made. Alternatively, if you don't enter a new name for the puzzle, you can change the Puzzle Description, or any of the other descriptive items without changing the puzzle name.

    • Quit Construction
      Returns you to the Magnum Opus opening screen.

  • Build Menu
    • Start a New Puzzle
      This option presents you with a dialog into which you can enter a file name for your new puzzle. You can also enter several other pieces of information such as a Puzzle Title, Author and Copyright information.

    • Build Options
      Use this option to access a Build Options dialog where you can set some rules to be followed by the puzzle building function as it builds your puzzle.

    • Start / Stop Building
      Construction of the puzzle will commence when you select the Start / Stop Building option. If puzzle building is successful you will receive a message containing the name of the puzzle file, and the location where it was saved. If it becomes necessary, you can interrupt the building process by selecting this option a second time.

  • View Menu
    • Display Options
      This leads you to a dialog box in which you can change the colors of various elements within the puzzle, and control the fonts which will be used for the puzzle's text components. You can also decide if printing of the puzzle will be done in black and white or in color.

  • Tasks Menu
    • Print this Puzzle
      This will take you to a custom print screen where you can control the details involved with printing your puzzle.

    • Solve this Puzzle
      This will take you to a Solve screen which provides a fully interactive environment for solving the puzzle.

    • Export as Applet
      This option will export a set of files which implement a fully working interactive FILLOMINO puzzle as a Java Applet. These files can be uploaded to your web server to enable you to publish interactive puzzles in your own web pages. Read the topic  Exporting an Applet  for more details.

    • Delete this Puzzle
      Use this option to eliminate unwanted FILLOMINO puzzles from your file system.

  • Help Menu
    • Fillomino Help
      Displays the Help screen which you are now reading.