SOLVING AN ACROSTIC PUZZLE

The clue which is displayed at any point applies to that word in the word list which currently contains the focus cell. This cell will be outlined in either red or blue.

Any character which is typed at the keyboard will be placed into both the red and blue focus cells, and the red focus cell will automatically move forward to the next character of the word in which it is located. The blue focus cell will be relocated to the cell which has the same identifying number as the red focus cell.

The location of the red focus cell may be shifted by pointing and clicking with the mouse, or by means of the cursor control keys (Up, Down, Left, Right, Page Up, Page Down, Home, End). Each time the red cursor cell is moved, the blue cursor will also be relocated to the cell containing the same identifying number. Other keys which provide useful functions during the solution process are Space bar, Back Space, Delete and Return.

Menu Functions
  • File Menu
    • Select a Dictionary
      When loading a new puzzle, you begin by selecting the dictionary which was used to build the ACROSTIC puzzle which you want to solve.

    • Load a Puzzle
      Then you choose your puzzle from the pool of ACROSTIC puzzles currently available in the selected dictionary.

    • Quit Solving
      Returns you to either the ACROSTIC Build screen or the Magnum Opus opening screen.

  • 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
    • Reveal One Letter
      If you need a little help to get started, this option will place the correct letter into the current focus cell.

    • Reveal Errors
      If you think you may have made errors, this option will show you where they are by highlighting them for a period of 1.5 seconds.

    • Reveal Solution
      The entire solution can be seen by selecting this option.

    • Begin Again
      You can restart the entire solution process at any time by selecting this option.

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