OMW Grids Creation

When the sub-menu "Puzzle" is selected, a file browser allows the user to select a base (it looks for a .inx file and assumes (oops) that there also is a .dat file). Once the base is selected, the following two windows are opened:

In the puzzle window, the user selects a cell (click + mouse left button). Then goes to the control window where the following operations may be performed:

A click with the mouse right button toggles the "locked" state of a cell. Locked cells (in white) below, allow to create patterns in the puzzle matrix: A locked cell will no be used by the search engine.

1. The double right arrow button starts the search of a word going right.

2. The double down arrow button starts the search of a word going down.

3. Once a list is available in the word list scroll windows (on the left), the user selects the needed word then click on the "select" button. The word is now inserted in the grid.

4. The user may select a letter on the grid and get rid of the associated word using the "Del" button. Note that if the letter is used by two words, both will be deleted.

5. The clear buttons cleans up the grid.

6. The "Letters" field allows the user the enter a few letters that should suffix all words searched.

7. The "min word length" ruler lets the user specify the min word length allowed.

8. The "Fuzzy search" check box (an improper term I think) basically tell the search engine to check for full integrity.

9. Auto. I try to setup words automatically on grid. Since 0.3.0b5, the algorithm first works randomly then "thoroughly" (top-left to bottom-right). A dialog box appears when the search engine gives up. You can seen the current search position where the blue square is. Automatic search may be stopped anytime by clicking on the grid. It may be restarted also. I suggest mixing the automatic and interactive approach.

   Clearly, this algorithm may improved/parametrized - I assume it currently is way too slow for older machines (I use a PIII 500).

10. Save: Saves the current grid (please add extention ".grd" so load grid finds it later).

11. The bottom left scroll window shows the 32 categories available. To search words linked to one or more categories, click on the category(ies), the selected categories are displayed in RED. Click on the "Use categories" check box to tell the search engine to use the categories you selected. You may also tell the engine that the words searched must match all the categories selected or just one of them by toggling the "Exact Category match" check box.

    Example:

    The word "YEAR" is in position [D-0] going right. We want to insert the word "FEE" in position [A-1] going right. The last 'E' of "FEE" in right under the 'Y' of "YEAR" which creates a new and unknow word "YE" in [D-0] going down . We know however that "YE" could eventually be changed in "YEARLY" so we want the search engine to let it go for now. (NOW I HOPE THAT'S CLEAR!.....).

12. The "Del" button (black square) has two function, "Right clicking" = del horizontal words, "Left clicking" = Del vertical words. Note: Some words are accepted/created automatically by the search engine, deleting a word close-by might corrupt these words; it's up to the user to make sure a deletion has not bad side effect.

1. The "Print" button opens the following window:

   The user types in a destination file (ex: /tmp/test.ps), selects the definition that should be printed (there are three definitions per word). Selects the "Send To Printer" button if need be, and finally changes the execution print string (lpr by default, which would then send the command "lpr /tmp/test.ps").

   
   

Three pages are output: (note: locked cells are output with a cross 'X' inside).

1. The worksheet grid page.

   This is the actual page used to write in the words on the grid.

2. The Definitions page.

   It lists the coordinates of the words to be found and their definitions.

3. The solution grid page.

   Same as the "worksheet page" but all words are output.