BUILDING SIKAKU PUZZLES

A SIKAKU puzzle consists of a square or rectangular grid in which some of the cells contain a one or two digit number. To complete the puzzle, a Solver must divide the puzzle into a number of rectangles so that each rectangle contains exactly one of the numbers, and that number must be equal to the area of the rectangle which contains it. Each puzzle has a unique solution which does no require any guesswork to achieve. The Magnum Opus SIKAKU construction function allows you to build puzzles either manually or automatically in sizes from 5x5 up to 20x20.
Menu Functions
  • File Menu
    • Load a Puzzle
      Use this option to choose your puzzle from the pool of SIKAKU puzzles currently available on your computer.

    • Save
      If you have done some manual editing of the puzzle, this option will save those changes under the existing file name.

    • 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 sikaku folder along with all of the Sikaku 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.

    • Test Puzzle Validity
      Manual construction of a SIKAKU puzzle is not recommended. You should only attempt this if you have a valid puzzle (possibly one published i a magazine) which you would like to enter into the program. Simply move the cursor cell around the puzzle, and type the required values into the appropriate cells. Selecting the Test Puzzle Validity option will check the validity of the puzzle. If it has a unique solution, it will be saved, and you will be advised of this. If not, you will receive a message that the puzzle is not valid.

  • 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 SIKAKU 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 SIKAKU puzzles from your file system.

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