Sudoku - Christmas Images Edition

[bplus]

The center piece for my Christmas Album this year is a version of Sudoku with Images, Christmas Images and you can even Right click in tiny images for notes to cells:

A game in progress, tinted cells are guesses towards solving puzzle, you can erase with blanker at top right corner.
The tiny images are notes you can right click into cell with image highlighted at right side. Usually when you have an image narrowed down to 1 of 2 places in a 3x3 you make a note so if one of those cells is filled the other must be the image noted:
 

It's Solved!
 

Maybe you never tried Sudoku because of the numbers, like it might use some sort of math. Well it doesn't, it's just getting 9 different things in every row, column and the 9 - 3x3 cell squares. So maybe images will work better?

[SierraKen]

This is a fantastic looking game B+, but I can't figure out how to play. I read the instructions and tried keys but all I can do is move the arrow keys around. I might have placed something somewhere but I can't do it again. I also tried using the mouse but sometimes it seems to work and sometimes it doesn't. I am probably playing it wrong. I never learned how to play Sudoku.

[SierraKen]

Oh I think I got it, I wasn't using the side vertical list. lol Now it works. Using the space bar to cheat I just placed them and finished. Interesting game.

Edit: I just played again without the Space Bar and finished. I probably am not playing right though, I just go through each one and each space until they are all filled up.  Is there a different logic to the game or is that how you do it?

[bplus]

Oh I think I got it, I wasn't using the side vertical list. lol Now it works. Using the space bar to cheat I just placed them and finished. Interesting game.

Edit: I just played again without the Space Bar and finished. I probably am not playing right though, I just go through each one and each space until they are all filled up.  Is there a different logic to the game or is that how you do it?

Ah yes, it sounds like you are learning game in flashcard modes Levels 1-3, just figure what's missing and fill in, perfect for beginners. The higher levels leave more and more out and you start having to use logic which are the missing images. It took me months to get the system going so it's mostly automatic. More and more logic is needed when more and more cells are left blank.

Yeah I use mouse exclusively I had forgotten I did program to use all key presses as well. So arrow keys navigate and number keys plug in the image for that number. Notes are SHIFT + number key and those toggle On and Off just like right clicking "notes". Along with the Intro screen and Level setter there is a txt file that goes over same stuff you can have open in txt editor but you will get that part in 10 minutes or less I think.

The 'notes' aspect becomes more and more handy as your level of play progresses.
Here is an goofy old guy whose system I learned to approach the game systematically. A little boring at times but really solid system!

wG6YayW0w&index=11

[SierraKen]

I tried level 5 and almost completed it but it came to an error message. I might have been playing too fast, I don't know, but I got: Line: 549 (in main module) File not found, Continue? So I said no. But it's pretty cool. :) I still don't know of any pattern you use or anything like that but it's a good time-filler game. Oh also, I recommend changing the sound to half as long because "BEEP" is a bit loud. lol

I'll be gone for probably the whole week until the week after Christmas. Have fun programming everyone!

[bplus]

I tried level 5 and almost completed it but it came to an error message. I might have been playing too fast, I don't know, but I got: Line: 549 (in main module) File not found, Continue? So I said no. But it's pretty cool. :) I still don't know of any pattern you use or anything like that but it's a good time-filler game. Oh also, I recommend changing the sound to half as long because "BEEP" is a bit loud. lol

I'll be gone for probably the whole week until the week after Christmas. Have fun programming everyone!

When you save a puzzle, it is stored under the name:

Code: QB64: [Select]

1.     OPEN "Temp Saved Puzzle.txt" FOR INPUT AS #1

If you have not stored any puzzle since receiving a fresh download there would be no puzzle to load, thus the error if press the L key or click File Load button. I suppose I should check if the file exists... :)

Ah the BEEP, it always makes me jump if I forget to lower the volume. You tried to put an image in a row, column or 3x3 block where you already had one, and you have Cell Checking - ON. LOL consider it negative reinforcement, you'll never want to do that again! Yeah I suppose I can find a kinder, gentler warning buzzer ;-))

Have fun on your Holiday Vacation Ken!

BTW if you saved a special puzzle, you should immediately rename it from "Temp Saved Puzzle.txt" because the next puzzle you save will write right over it. That saves me doing special date-time stamps and saves you from having to clear out a cluster of unused files. I keep a sub folder for specially tough puzzles I couldn't solve from news paper. Less and less these days, plus I do them in ink!

PS your feedback is valuable, I've been doing this thing so long, I dont have any kind of first impressions.

[SierraKen]

Ah yeah, most likely my fingers accidentally pressed some keys (they always do that LOL). Actually more likely I accidentally clicked Load with the mouse or something lol. I don't have anything saved yet.

[bplus]

BTW This will work with any 9 images labeled d1 - d9.png

I put together "Sudoku Around the World" images from vintage travel posters today:
 

[Dav]

This is fun, @bplus! Im one of those people who buy sodoku puzzle books now and then. I think this image version is a cool idea, and its surprising challenging solving puzzles with images instead of numbers.

- Dav

[bplus]

Thanks Dav, yeah I am finding a new level of difficulty with the Around the World images, it's harder to read the 3x3 blocks when the images run to the edge (no transparent background around central image). Best images would be simple with no background and a variety of color.

[Adrian]

thx bplus..... i like the xmas theme!