Copyright: 1994 by Jim Buccigrossi, All Rights Reserved


Table of Contents
        Help Table Of Contents

Introduction	Menu Commands
Getting Started	Tool Bar Buttons
How to Register	Advanced Topics
Common Questions	Further Reading


WORDWIZ Introduction
INTRODUCTION

WordWiz ™ is a word puzzle design and construction tool.  With WordWiz ™  you can design, construct, and print your own word puzzles to enjoy with your friends, students, or customers.

Use the puzzles for party activities, educational projects, company newsletters, bulletins, advertising flyers, or your own enjoyment.  Make personalized puzzles to use as greeting cards.  You will find that creating your own word puzzles is actually more fun and educational than simply solving them.

WordWiz ™  includes a built in collection of over 30,000 words that are used to 'fit' into the puzzle patterns that YOU design.  Have fun building your vocabulary as you research and write your own clues for the words that WordWiz ™  automatically selects for your puzzles.

Advanced design features allow you to lock individual letters or words into your design and build your own custom word lists.  With these features you can design a puzzle that includes your full name (or any other specific words), you can also create puzzles that contain only words related to specific topics such as sports, music, The Bible etc.

Click here for important LICENSING INFORMATION.

Click here for important WARRANTY INFORMATION.


Warranty Information

"This software is provided as-is.  There are no warranties, expressed or implied."

JAMES A BUCCIGROSSI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.  NEITHER JAMES A. BUCCIGROSSI, NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF JAMES A. BUCCIGROSSI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.  IN NO EVENT SHALL JAMES A. BUCCIGROSSI'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE CLAIM.  THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Pennsylvania and shall inure to the benefit of James A. Buccigrossi, and any successors, administrators, heirs, and assigns.  Any action or proceeding brought by either party against the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent jurisdiction located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.


License Information

This software and the distribution media on which it is contained is licensed to you, for your own use.  This is copyrighted software.  You are not obtaining title to the software or any copyright rights.  You may not sublicense, rent, lease, convey, modify, translate, convert to another programming language, adapt to other computing platforms, decompile, or disassemble the software for any purpose.

You may make as many copies of this software as you need for back-up purposes.  You may use this software on more than one computer, provided there is no chance it will be used simultaneously on more than one computer.  If you need to use this software on more than one computer simultaneously, please contact me for information about site licenses.  Special reduced rate licenses are available for educational institutions.

The author grants permission for this software to be copied and distributed, if no fee greater than $5.00 is charged and all of the original unmodified files are included.  Otherwise, you must get written permission from the author to distribute copies of this software.  See VENDOR.TXT for additional information about distributing this software.

If you use this software for more than 90 days, you are required to purchase a registered copy.


Getting Started

What you do:

First, you select the style and size of the puzzle. Then you design the puzzle layout by simply clicking on the puzzle grid.  Each time you click, the cell will 'toggle' between open and blocked states.  Open cells will hold a letter that forms part of a word.  The blocked cells are used to separate the words in the puzzle.  Part of your puzzle layout may also include "locked cells".  These are special open cells that will contain only the letter that you specify.

Next, you provide or choose a list of possible words for WordWiz ™  to use. (not required for number fill-in or word search styles).

Then, you click the CONSTRUCT button and watch WordWiz ™  go to work as it selects words from your list and fits them into your design.

When the construction process is complete, you write your own clues for each word in the puzzle.  The clues that you write are automatically saved for future use in other puzzles.  (Clue writing is required for crossword style puzzles only)

You then save and print your completed puzzle.

Lastly, you share the puzzle with your friends, and tell them all about this great program.


How to register
How to become a registered customer.

This program is distributed under the shareware concept.  You have an opportunity to try the program before you buy it.  Any amount you may have paid to obtain this program went towards distribution and duplication costs.  When you register, you support the author (me!) and provide me an incentive to create new programs.

This software must be registered if you decide to keep it beyond 90 days.  See License Information for additional information. Contact the author at the address below for information on site licenses and discounts for educational institutions.

When you register, you will receive a personalized customer ID, the latest version of WordWiz, and free software updates for 1 full year.  A bonus word pool file containing only words found in the Bible is also included.

Four different WordWiz levels are available.  The only difference between the levels is the maximum puzzle size that can be created, and the registration fee.

Registration Level	Maximum puzzle size	Registration Fee
Introductory	9 x 9	$19.00
Junior	13 x 13	$27.00
Classic	17 x 17	$49.00
Pro	23 x 23	$79.00
All fees include shipping, handling, and applicable state and local taxes.

When you decide on the registration level that suits your needs, fill out and then print the order form (use the menu button provided or print ORDERFRM.WRI using MS WRITE.EXE) and send it along with a check or money order payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank.  Make the check payable to:

Jim Buccigrossi

112 Woodward Drive

West Mifflin, PA 15122-1065

Be sure to include your real full name and mailing address. WordWiz usage Licenses cannot be granted without this information.  Orders from outside the U.S. are welcome.  Do not send credit card orders to the above address.  Note: 3.5 inch HD (or DD) disks will be shipped unless otherwise noted on the order form.

Credit Card Orders:

You can use your Master Card, VISA, American Express, or Discover Card by:

*	Calling the Public (software) Library at 800-242-4775 (800-2424-PsL) or 713-524-6394
*	FAX to PsL at 713-524-6398  (Print ORDERFRM.WRI, fill it out, and FAX it to PsL)
*	CIS Email to PsL at 71355,470
*	U.S. Mail to PsL at P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705    (Print ORDERFRM.WRI)
THESE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERING ONLY.  PRODUCT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS CANNOT BE ANSWERED.  THE AUTHOR CANNOT BE REACHED AT THESE NUMBERS.  Be sure to specify which WordWiz level you wish to order; Intro, Junior, Classic, or Pro, and provide your name, address, card number and expiration date.  Also mention the WordWiz item number which is 11301.

The shareware copy of WordWiz is a full-featured Introductory version.  The registered version will not contain the "order form", "how to register", and "register" buttons.  The registered version will not request that you enter the access code once a valid code is entered.

Problem reports, questions and comments will be accepted from all users.  Problems, questions and suggestions may be submitted on the registration form, via U.S. mail, or to CompuServe Email to Jim Buccigrossi, 74013,2740.

When you receive the disk containing the personalized registered version, keep it in a safe place.  You may need to use it to re-install WordWiz ™ at some future date. You may need to re-install WordWiz ™ in the event of a hard disk failure, or if you upgrade to a future version of Windows.  Contact the author (not PSL) if you misplace your original disk. Include a $5.00 service fee to obtain a new copy.

Note: You MUST re-install WordWiz by running the SETUP.EXE program provided from the actual registered disk that was (will be) shipped to you.  If you install from a copy this disk, it will revert to an unregistered version.

Certain rare events (such as re-installing Windows) are foreseeable that could cause a registered version to revert back to it's former un-registered self.  If this happens, re-install WordWiz from the ORIGINAL registered disk.


Puzzle Styles
With WordWiz ™, you can create four different kinds of puzzles.

Classic Crossword

Word Fill-in

Word Search

Number Fill-in

Use the PUZZLE STYLE menu item in the OPTIONS main menu to select the desired style.


Puzzle Sizes

WordWiz ™ allows you to create kid sized puzzles as small as 5 cells by 5 cells, or gigantic 23 x 23 cell puzzles for your 'Sunday Bests'.  Please note that the maximum grid size that can be used for constructing puzzles is determined by your registration level, however all sizes my be selected for purposes of designing grid layouts.

Even odd shaped puzzles can be created by using "transparent blocks" to cut the grid into any desired shape.

Use the PUZZLE SIZE menu item in the OPTIONS main menu to select the desired puzzle size.  Rectangular sizes may be selected by setting the number of rows and columns separately.


Crossword Puzzles
Classic Crossword Puzzles

Puzzle words are placed on an interlocking grid in both horizontal and vertical directions.  Darkened grid cells ("outs") separate each word.  The first cell of each word is assigned a clue number and given a written clue.  The person solving the puzzle uses the clues to determine the original words.


Number Fill-in Puzzles

Numbers are placed on an interlocking grid in both horizontal and vertical directions.  Darkened grid cells separate each number.  A list of all the numbers on the puzzle is provided.  The person solving the puzzle must find the proper location of each number on the grid.  This one really exercises deductive reasoning skills.


Word Fill-in Puzzles

Words are placed on an interlocking grid in both horizontal and vertical directions.  Darkened grid cells separate each word.  A list of the words on the puzzle is provided.  The person solving the puzzle must find the proper location of each word on the grid.


Word Search Puzzles
Word Search Puzzles.

Words are placed on an empty rectangle in across, down, and diagonal directions.  Words may also be reversed in any direction.  Unused areas are filled with random letters.  A list of the words hidden in the puzzle is provided.  The person solving the puzzle tries to find all of the words in the list.


Word Pool
Word Pool.

The Word Pool is the list of all possible words that are currently eligible to be selected for use in the construction of CROSSWORD and WORD-FILL-IN puzzles.  The term "word pool" refers only to the collection of words that are currently loaded into memory.  When a word pool is saved on disk, it is referred to as a "word pool library".  Word pool libraries use a disk file name extension of .WPL.

WordWiz ™ allows you to create and save your own word pools.  By using different word pools for different puzzles, you can create puzzles that use only words related to a certain subject.


The Clue Library
The Clue Library.

When you create a crossword style puzzle, a clue must be written for each word in the puzzle.  WordWiz ™ will automatically save each clue you write as you save a completed crossword puzzle.  If the same word appears in a future puzzle, WordWiz ™  will automatically use the last clue you wrote for the word.

This means you only need to write each clue once, and it will automatically be reused for future puzzles.  When a clue is reused, you can change it, and the change will be saved for the next use of the word.


Grayed out menu items
Grayed out menu items and tool buttons

When a menu item appears gray (or any color other than the color of the normal menu text), the menu item is unavailable at the present time.  WordWiz ™  uses this technique to guide you through menu choices, and to prevent you from selecting items that are not applicable to the current situation.

If you find yourself wanting to select an inactive menu item, think about why the item may not be currently applicable, and change other menu items or tool buttons until the situation changes.  For example, during puzzle construction, many menu items become unavailable.

When a tool-bar button is inactivated, it is covered with a [image] symbol.  The construct tool button will become inactive if there are not enough words of the lengths required by the current puzzle design in the current word pool.


Menu Commands
WordWiz ™ Menu Commands

The main menu bar contains the following items:

File	Use to load, save, and print puzzle files.

Edit	Use to access the Windows clipboard.

Options	Use to select the style, size, and colors of a puzzle.

Words	Use to load, save, and expand the current word pool.


The FILE menu
The FILE menu.

This main menu item contains commands for loading and saving puzzle files, and printing puzzles on your printer.  It also contains the 'all important' EXIT command.

The FILE sub-menu commands are:

New	This option clears out the grid pattern, and the word box, so that a new design can be started.  The current grid size and puzzle style remain in effect.

Open	Use this option to access a puzzle file that was previously saved.  After the file is opened, you can change the design, re-construct, and/or print the puzzle.

Close	This command is used if you want to protect a puzzle file that was just loaded from being accidentally re-saved with changes.  The file name is cleared out so that you will be asked for a new file name if you save the puzzle again.

Save	Use this option to save your in-progress or completed designs .  The current file name is automatically used.  If there is no current file name (NO NAME), then you will be asked for a name.  Use the SAVE AS option if you want to save a copy under a new file name.  Puzzle files use a file name extension of .WIZ.

Save as	Use this option to save a new puzzle, or to save a modified puzzle with a new file name.  You will be asked to specify a file name.

Change Title	This option will highlight the current puzzle title text. Any text that is typed will replace the highlighted text.  The puzzle title is the text that is printed above the puzzle grid.

Print preview	This option will show how the current puzzle or solution would look if you printed it.  Use this feature to check your printer settings before actually printing.  If you change the print settings (see File\Print Setup), the print preview screen will also reflect these changes. (e.g. landscape vs. portrait, and paper size)  You can preview either the puzzle, or the solution to the puzzle.  The PREVIEW button on the main menu can be used as a short cut for selecting FILE/PRINT PREVIEW/PUZZLE.

Print/Puzzle	This option will print the puzzle itself.  You should only use this option if you have a fully constructed puzzle.  If you are using the CROSSWORDpuzzle style, you should edit the words in the word box into clues, before printing the puzzle.  A safer method is to select the PREVIEW button, and then select the PRINT button from the PREVIEW BUTTON BAR.  This allows you make last minute adjustments to the layout before printing.

Print/Solution	This option will print the puzzle solution.  You should only use this option if you have a fully constructed puzzle.

Print setup	Use this option to change your printer settings.  If your printer supports landscape and portrait page orientations, or different paper sizes, then try experimenting with different settings.  These settings will significantly affect the puzzle layout.  Use File\Print Preview to view the result before you commit your creation to paper.  The SETUP button on the PREVIEW BUTTON BAR performs the same function.

Exit	This option will make WordWiz ™ go away until another day.


The EDIT menu
The EDIT menu.

This menu item contains sub-menu commands for cutting and pasting words to and from the word box.

The EDIT sub-menu commands are:

Copy	Copies the currently selected text in the word box to the Windows clipboard.  This allows the clipboard to act as a temporary holding area for whatever is in the word box. The word box is the large text box with the scroll bar.  Once in the clipboard, the data can be pasted into almost any Windows application, including back into WordWiz ™.  Use this feature to save "extra text" that you may have entered before re-constructing.  The extra text can then be pasted back into the word box after the puzzle is reconstructed.

Cut 	Deletes the currently selected text from the word box.  The deleted text is placed in the clipboard.

Delete 	Deletes the currently selected text from the word box.  The contents of the clipboard is not changed.

Paste 	Copies the entire contents of the Windows clipboard into the word box. at the current insertion point. If any text was selected in the word box, it is replaced.  Use this option to grab words that were copied into the clipboard from another application.  Note that this only copies the clipboard into the word box (as if you typed the words in)  If you want to add the words to the current word pool, then use WORDS/ADD WORDS TO WORD POOL FROM WORD BOX.

Select All	Selects all of the text that is currently in the word box..


The OPTIONS menu
The OPTIONS menu.

This menu item contains commands for changing the puzzle grid size, and the puzzle style.  You can also change the puzzle font and hide mode from here.  These options are automatically saved with each puzzle.

There are other miscellaneous options that allow you to change the screen colors and the edit symmetry mode.  These items are not saved with each puzzle, but they are saved when you quit, and will be automatically reinstated the next time you start the program.

The OPTIONS sub-menu commands are:

Grid size	Use this option to select the overall puzzle grid size.  You should do this BEFORE you start to design the grid layout, because changing the size later, while possible, will probably mess up your design.  Avoid using the larger grid sizes for WORD-FILLIN and CROSSWORD puzzle styles, until you get the feel for designing solvable layouts.

Puzzle style	Use this option to choose the type of puzzle (style) you want to make.

Puzzle font	.Use this item to select a True-Type font for displaying and printing your puzzle.  The font name is automatically saved with each puzzle you create.  When you load a puzzle from disk, the font will automatically switch the one that was in effect when the puzzle was saved. Do not worry about selecting a font size.  The best size is automatically computed.

Hide solution	This option allows you to create a puzzle that you can print and play yourself.  (Don't use the CROSSWORD puzzle style, because you can't write word clues without seeing the words.)  For all puzzle styles except WORD-SEARCH, this option causes the grid to be filled with question marks, instead of the actual letters or numbers.  For the word search style, the letters are displayed, but they are all the same color.

Change colors	When you select this item, a randomized set of colors is selected for the blocked grid cells and the window background.  Keep selecting this item until you get a pleasing combination.  The colors will be saved and used until you change them again.  When you save a puzzle, the current color combination is saved with it.  When you load a puzzle, the colors that were in effect when it was saved are re-activated.

Symmetry mode	This option pops out a sub menu that allows you to select an automatic grid symmetry mode.  Use asymmetric if you want exact control of each grid cell.  The other symmetry modes will automatically change other grid cells to keep the grid pattern symmetric.  The default mode is diagonal symmetry.  Feel free to experiment with these settings, it's easier to see than to explain.


The WORDS menu
The WORDS menu.

This menu item contains commands for customizing or selecting the "Word Pool".  The Word Pool is not used for WORD SEARCH and NUMBER FILL-IN puzzle styles; therefore, while using these non word pool styles, all WORDS menu items will be "grayed out".

The number of words in the word pool has a significant effect on the speed and success of the construction process.  The larger the word pool, the more likely it becomes that construction will be possible.

The WORDS sub-menu commands are:

Word Pool statistics	Use this option to display a summary of the number of words in the current word pool.  The number of words required by the current puzzle design are also displayed.  Individual counts are displayed for each different word length.

Add words from file	Use this option to extract words from any disk file that contains ASCII text.  The file may also contain other control codes (in addition to the ASCII text).  The file will not be modified in any way.  Custom word pool libraries (.WPL files) may also be loaded into memory with this command.  The words in the file will be added to the current word pool (in memory only).  Duplicate words will automatically be eliminated.  Note: you must use the "Save Word Pool as" menu item to save the expanded word pool on disk as a new .WPL file.

Add words from word box	Use this item to add words directly from the on-screen word box area.  Simply type the words into the word box, and then select this command.  Duplicate words will automatically be eliminated.  The words in the word box will be added to the current word pool (in memory only).  Note: you must use the "Save Word Pool as" menu item to permanently save the expanded word pool on disk as a new .WPL file.

Clear the Word Pool	This option will clean out the current word pool.  You should use this option before loading a custom .WPL file.  This option operates only on the current (memory) word pool;  all disk word pool libraries (.WPL 's) are not affected.  If you start construction using a puzzle style that requires the word pool, while the word pool is empty, then the BASE.WPL library will be automatically loaded into memory.

Save the current Word Pool as	When you select this item, the current (memory) word pool is saved as a disk file.  You may name a new file, or overwrite an existing file.  The .WPL extension will automatically be assigned if no extension is specified.  You should use caution before overwriting any WPL files that were distributed with this program.

Avoid using Letters	Use this item to select letters that should not be used in the puzzle.  This item affects Crossword and Word Search styles only.  Interesting results can be obtained by excluding all vowels but one, or uncommon letters such as JQX or Z.  For large word pools, avoiding a few letters usually speeds up the construction process.  If you avoid too many letters, construction may become impossible.  Also, be careful not to use a letter that is selected for avoidance in a locked cell.  Letters that are selected STAY IN EFFECT until you change them, even if you stop and restart the program.

Edit Add-in list	This item will pop you into the Windows NOTEPAD application so you can add or remove words from the automatic word-pool add-in list.  Use this feature to add words to BASE.WPL that may not be in there (like family names).  Make your changes and save the file before closing NOTEPAD.  The words in the add-in list are automatically added to the current word pool each time the BASE.WPL file is loaded.  This means that your changes won't become effective until you clear the word-pool and reload BASE.WPL.  The net effect is as if the words in the add-in file are in BASE.WPL.  If the add-in list contains a word that is already in BASE.WPL, then it is not added!!!!.  Caution: Do not try to edit BASE.WPL.  Use this feature instead.

Edit Omission list	This item will pop you into the Windows NOTEPAD application so you can add or remove words from the automatic word-pool omission list.  Use this feature to remove words from BASE.WPL that you find offensive.  Make your changes and save the file before closing NOTEPAD.  The words in the omission list are automatically removed from the current word pool each time the BASE.WPL file is loaded.  This means that your changes won't become effective until you clear the current word-pool and reload BASE.WPL.  The net effect is as if the words in the add-in file are NOT in BASE.WPL.  If the omission list contains a word that is not in BASE.WPL, then it is not removed!!!!.    Caution: Do not try to edit BASE.WPL.  Use this feature instead.


Tool bar buttons
The Tool Bar

The tool bar contains buttons that are used to control the operation of the program.

Puzzle Title Box

DESIGN

LOCK CELLS

CONSTRUCT

The "extra" buttons


The Puzzle Title Box
The Puzzle Title Box.

This box contains the title of your puzzle.  To change or enter the title, click on the box and start typing.  To replace text in the box, click and drag over the text to be replaced, and key in the new text, or press the delete key to delete the text.

The maximum length of the puzzle title is 40 characters.


The DESIGN button
The [image] DESIGN button.

Click this button to enter DESIGN mode.  While in design mode, you can change the layout of the puzzle by clicking on grid cells to make darkened cells (called "outs" in word puzzle parlance).  You can also change the grid size, and puzzle style (from the option menu).

If puzzle construction was in progress, it is interrupted when this button is clicked.  DESIGN mode is the standard mode that is automatically selected when the program is started.

If you click on an "open" cell, it will become "blocked".

If you click on a "blocked" cell, it will become "open".

If you SHIFT CLICK on an "open" cell, it will become "transparently blocked".  Use transparent blocks to create puzzles with oddly shaped borders, or puzzles with "holes" in the middle.

To leave DESIGN mode, click either the LOCK CELLS, or CONSTRUCT buttons.


The LOCK CELLS button
The [image] LOCK CELLS button.

Click this button to enter "LOCK CELLS" mode.  While in this mode, you can enter specific letters into cells.  The letters that you enter will be left in place by the construction process.  If you click LOCK CELLS while a puzzle is constructing, the construction will be interrupted.  Note that this feature is only applicable to crossword and word fill-in puzzle styles.

To lock a letter into an empty cell:

1. click on the desired cell.

2. type the letter you wish to place in the cell.

To unlock a cell, click on the desired cell.

You may lock a cell that already contains a letter by clicking on it.

To lock a letter in an already locked cell; click on the cell and type the new letter.

You may lock as many letters as you want; but if too many letters are locked, then construction may fail, unless there are words that can actually fit the lock pattern.  For example, if you lock a "Z" into the 3rd position of a 10 letter word, and there is no such word available in the current word pool, then construction will be fruitless.

Also, if you lock an entire word (such as your last name) into a series of cells, then WordWiz ™ will verify that the word is actually in the current word pool.  If it is not, you will be asked if you want to automatically add it.  If you elect not to add it, then construction will not be possible.

Note: Use the WORDS/EDIT ADDIN LIST menu item to enter words (such as your last name) that you want WordWiz ™ to always add to the word pool whenever it loads the BASE word pool.

To leave LOCK CELLS mode, click either the DESIGN, or CONSTRUCT buttons.


The CONSTRUCT button
The [image] CONSTRUCT button.

Click this button to start the automatic construction process.

If puzzle construction was already in progress, it is restarted from scratch when this button is clicked.  When construction is restarted, the word sequences in the word pool are shuffled, this re-shuffling will cause a different solution to be found the next time (if many solutions were possible).  This allows you to make many puzzles with the exact same layout.

To stop the construction process, click either the DESIGN, CONSTRUCT or LOCK CELLS buttons.

You can minimize the WordWiz ™ window, and use other applications while the construction process is running.  You may notice that other programs may slow down a bit; that's because WordWiz ™ is using every spare nook and cranny of your system.  The minimized WordWiz ™ icon will contain the [image] symbol to indicate that the constructor is working.  When a solution is found, the icon will return to normal.  If no solution could be found, the icon will contain the [image] symbol.  In either case, a beep is also sounded to draw your attention to the changed icon.

When construction is completed, or all possible configurations of the words in the word pool have been tried, then a message is issued, and DESIGN mode is automatically entered.


The Word Box
The Word Box.

The word box is the edit pad located to the left of the puzzle grid area.

The Word Box has several uses:

1.	Text typed into the word pool can be added to the current word pool.

2.	Text can be copied to and from the Windows clipboard and the word box.

3.	Crossword puzzle clues are written and edited in the word box.

4.	The words that are to be used for a word search style puzzle are entered in the word box.

5.	Any text that is to be printed along with the puzzle can be entered in the word box.

When you want to use the word box, first click on it, then move the cursor where you want the text to go, and start typing.  You can highlight text by dragging the cursor over it.  Any text that is highlighted, will be deleted and replaced with the next keystroke character.

The word box cannot be used while a puzzle is being constructed.  When construction is finished, the word box will be automatically filled with the words that were selected.


The 'extra' buttons
The "extra" buttons.

The buttons located above the Title Box change function based on the currently selected control button.

While in DESIGN mode the buttons become: (except for word search)

Un-Block all cells	Removes all "outs" from the current grid pattern.  Use to start a new design of a densely intersected puzzle.  Avoid dense puzzles if you are using a small Word Pool.

Block all cells	Fills the entire grid pattern with "outs" (the dark empty cells.)  This is very handy when starting a design that will contain only a few loosely packed words.  Once all the cells are blocked, you only need to click where you want the words to go.  This method is highly recommended for beginning WIZ'ers.

Secret Tip - If you hold down the SHIFT key while clicking this button, the entire grid will be filled with "transparent blocks".  This is a great way to start designing a puzzle that will have an odd shape.

While in DESIGN mode the buttons become: (word search only)

New	Clears the word box and tile boxes.  (The other extra button is not used).

While in LOCK CELLS mode the buttons become:

Lock all letters	Takes all of the letters currently on the grid, and converts them to cell locks.  Use this to protect yourself from accidentally reconstructing a puzzle that has a solution you like.  You can also use this to quickly re-construct a puzzle after switching between the WORD-FILLIN and CROSSWORDpuzzle styles.  When all cells are locked, the constructor will quickly re-find the same solution, and re-fill the word box accordingly.

Remove all cell locks	Unlocks all of the cells in the grid.  Cell Locks are used to restrict a cell to the specified single letter during construction.

While in CONSTRUCT mode the buttons become:

Pause/Continue	Suspends construction until the button is pressed again.  Construction will resume at the point where it was suspended.

Restart	Causes the constructor to re-randomize the word pool, and start construction again using the current pattern.  Use if constructor appears to be 'stuck'.

PREVIEW SCREEN BUTTONS

There are many buttons at the top of the preview screen.  These buttons allow you to adjust the layout of the puzzle before you print it.  The layout settings are saved with the puzzle.  The best way to find out what the buttons do is to click them, and watch what happens to the puzzle on the preview screen.  When the puzzle looks nice, stop clicking.


Common Questions

Why is it taking so long?

Why is construction not always possible?

What are the system requirements?

What is an "out ratio"?

Why does the preview screen not always exactly match what prints?


Why is it taking so long?

This is entirely normal.  Computers do things one tiny step at a time.  This program has been optimized to the fullest extent possible, but there are truly billions upon billions upon billions of permutations to try.  A fast CPU certainly helps, but it will be several decades before a desktop processor will be built that can keep the WordWiz ™ happy!!!  Sit back and relax,  or minimize the window, and do something else for a while.  Some solutions can take several weeks (or longer).

When the composer appears "stuck", it really isn't.  It is always progressing towards a either a solution or the absolute determination that no solution is possible given the current word pool, grid pattern, lock pattern, and avoidance letters.  The progress is not simply linear however, thats why it can sometimes jump ahead quickly after struggling for a while.

If the composer seems to be stuck in the same spot for a long period, just try clicking CONSTRUCT to cause the composer to re-start.  This often helps because the composer randomizes the word order and starting point each time it starts.  The new "point of view" may help it find a solution quicker if one exists.

Changing the puzzle grid design often helps.  Study the construction progress for a while.  You may see a bottleneck that can be alleviated by adding a blocked cell.


Why is construction not always possible?

This simply means that ALL possible combinations of word placement were tested, and NONE of the combinations resulted in a valid puzzle.  This is caused by using a small word list in combination with a complex grid pattern.  Either use a larger word list, or simplify the grid pattern (less word intersections).

The above discussion only pertains to crossword and word fill-in puzzle styles.  Number fill-in and word search puzzle styles always compose quickly.


System Requirements

The recommended minimum system configuration is:

386/25 or higher CPU

4 MB memory,

2 MB of free disk space.

A mouse is suggested but not required.

A printer is optional, but very useful.

If you notice any disk activity during the puzzle construction phase (except when loading the word pool, and just as the construction completes), this is an indication that more system memory is needed.  Normally, no disk I/O is performed during construction, except for Windows memory swapping.  Try closing un-needed applications to free up memory if disk activity is occurring.  This statement assumes that no other application is active and performing disk I/O.

Note: Due to a design limit in Windows 3.1, the number of windows that can be open concurrently is sometimes not enough, no matter how much memory is installed on your system.  If you notice that parts of the puzzle grid are missing, or similar missing controls in other applications, this is a sign that this limit is being hit.  This problem is most common when using the larger grid sizes.  If this happens, close any other applications that you don't need, and the problem should clear up.


What is an "out ratio"?

This is the ratio of open cells to blocked cells.  For example, a 10 x 10 puzzle contains 100 cells.  If  17 cells are blocked, the "out ratio" is about 6 to 1.  Professional puzzle designers consider a 6 to 1 ratio ideal.  This ratio is not important for puzzles designed to be used by children, or puzzles that use many "transparent blocks" to form an odd shape.


Preview rounding
Why does the preview screen not always exactly match what prints?

This happens because most video screens operate at a much lower resolution than even the most basic dot matrix printer.  Rounding errors are introduced as adjustments are made to lower the resolution for the preview display.  There are techniques that can minimize these errors, but at the expense of possibly losing entire horizontal or vertical lines.

Think of the preview display as an approximation of what will print.  Use scrap paper to print trial copies and then make final adjustments, ignoring what you see on the preview screen.  I may work on this more in a future version if enough people feel it is worth while.


Advanced Topics

Give away hints.

The LOCK CELLS feature has an important secondary use.  When you print a puzzle for someone to solve, normally all grid cells should be empty.  You can cause some of the cells to be filled in with hint letters or numbers by using the LOCK CELLS feature.  First, click LOCK CELLS, and then click UNLOCK ALL LETTERS.  This will remove all locks.  Now click on only the cells that you want to 'give away' to lock them.  The letters in the locked cells will be printed when you print the puzzle.  This feature is supported for the number fill-in, crosswords and word fill-in puzzle styles.

Saving a partially constructed puzzle.

Stop the construction process by clicking DESIGN.  Then save the puzzle.

Restarting construction of a partially constructed puzzle.

A  crossword or word fill-in puzzle that was partially constructed can be re-started by following the following steps:

1. Click LOCK CELLS to enter cell lock mode.

2. Click LOCK ALL LETTERS.  This will lock all words that have been placed so far.

3. Click on the fringe cells to unlock them.  This step is very important.  The idea is to unlock enough cells so that construction will proceed without immediately failing.  Cells in totally completed areas of the puzzle can remain locked.  Find cells in the boundary areas between the filled and unfilled parts of the puzzle and unlock them.  Also unlock parts of long words the reach into uncompleted areas.  Trail and error may be needed.  If construction fails soon after re-starting, just unlock more cells in the fringe areas, and try again.

Re-constructing just a portion of a fully constructed puzzle.

A completed crossword or word fill-in puzzle may have a word or two in it that you might prefer not to use.  The area of the puzzle around the word can be re-constructed without re-constructing the entire puzzle.  Use the following steps:

1. Click LOCK CELLS to enter cell lock mode.

2. Click LOCK ALL LETTERS.  This will lock the entire puzzle.

3. Click on each letter in the word you wish to replace to unlock them.  You may also have to click on surrounding cells to unlock them also.

4. Click CONSTRUCT to start construction.  If the same word is re-selected, just click construct several more times to see if an alternative solution can be found.  If the same undesired solution continues to re-appear after several re-constructions, then unlock more surrounding cells and repeat until you get a different solution.

Converting a crossword puzzle to a word fill-in, and vis a versa.

Use the following steps to change the style of an already constructed puzzle:

1. Click LOCK CELLS to enter cell lock mode.

2. Click LOCK ALL LETTERS.  This will lock the entire current solution.

3. Select OPTIONS\PUZZLE STYLE to switch to the desired puzzle style.

4. Click CONSTRUCT.  Because all cells are locked, the puzzle will be quickly re-constructed in the new style.  If the currently loaded word pool is missing some of the words, you will be need to click YES when asked if you want to add the missing words to the current word pool.

5.	Click LOCK CELLS, and then select unlock all letters.  Now you have a constructed puzzle in the new style.

Setting up multiple clue libraries.

WordWiz ™ uses a common clue library for all clues.  The location of the library is always a sub directory of the directory that contains WordWiz.EXE called \CLUES.  If you are creating puzzles in different topic areas, you may want to use separate clue libraries so that clues written for the same word can be different.  This can be done by installing WordWiz ™ again in a different directory.  Use different start-up icons to access the proper clue library.  You can also use different BASE.WPL files by placing them in the proper respective directories.

Note: You can install WordWiz ™ as many times as you want to ON THE SAME SYSTEM.  You cannot use it on multiple systems at the same time unless you register the additional copies.  See license information for additional information

Creating your own word pool (.WPL) files.

If you create your own word pool files, you should use the .WPL extension ONLY if all duplicate words have been removed.  WordWiz ™ disables it's automatic word duplication checks (for performance reasons) when it loads a .WPL file into an EMPTY word pool.  Duplication checks are performed under all other situations.  If you allow duplicate words to creep into a WPL file, then the same word could appear twice in the same puzzle.

Here is the best way to build a new WPL file from several text files (that do not have a WPL extension):

1)	Clear the current word pool using WORDS/CLEAR THE WORD POOL.

2)	Load each text file using WORDS/ADD WORDS FROM FILE

3)	Save the new WPL file using WORDS/SAVE WORD POOL AS

The new WPL file will not contain any duplicates.

Technical note:  If you have access to the Microsoft Compress.EXE utility you may use it to compress your custom WPL files.

Forcing construction to start in a specific area.

The way to do this is to lock a '.' (period) in a cell in the area of the puzzle where you want the composer to start.  To lock a '.' in a cell, click on LOCK CELLS, then click on the cell you want to lock, and then key in the '.'.  The cell you click on must not be 'blocked'.  More than one cell can be locked this way, but it's not a good idea to spread them out over to wide an area, otherwise it defeats the purpose.  It can also cause the composer to get angry and slow down. The composer doesn't like to have to spread its attention too thin, it prefers to focus on a single area of the puzzle at a time.

Maximum word pool size.

There is no limit to the size of a WPL disk file.  However, when the word pool is loaded into memory, only a limited number of words can be stored.  An independent memory area is used for each different word length.  The maximum size of each area is about 65,000 characters.  The Word Pool Statistics option will display "full" next to each word length that has reached it's limit.

The maximumn number of words of each different length follows:

Length	Max Number of words
2	(only 676 combinations possible - e.g. no limit)
3	(only 17,576 combinations possible - e.g. no limit)
4	16,382
5	13,106
6	10,921
7	9,361
8	8,190
9	7,280
10	6,552
11	5,956
12	5,460
13	5,040
14	4,680
15	4,368
16	4,095
17	3,854
18	3,639
19	3,448
20	3,275
21	3,119
22	2,977
23	2,848
Total	142,803 - Ulimate maximum Word Pool words


Further Reading
Bibliography

The following books contain great tips for designing high quality puzzles.  They assume you are using a pencil and paper to design your puzzles (that used to be the only way!!!), but the information they contain is still very pertinent.

How to Make and Sell Original Crosswords and Other Puzzles

William J. Sunners

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.  New York  1981

The Experts Book of CROSSWORD Puzzle Making

Vera Daniels

Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York  1976

Also, software dictionary products are becoming available that work well with WordWiz ™.  When selecting a product, look for the following features:

Ability to create a list of words related to a specific topic.

Ability to place the list of related words in the windows clipboard, or save them to a file.

Ability to look up a word in the clipboard, and replace it with a definition or synonym list.

If you would like further information on currently available products, contact the author.

Lastly, I highly recommend the following book if you are considering embarking on a shareware project of your own.

Writing and Marketing Shareware (2nd Edition)

Steven Hudgik

Windcrest / McGraw-Hill

Whats next?

If WordWiz becomes popular, look for a WIZPLAY utility that will allow you to E-mail your .WIZ creations to friends, and let them print or work out the puzzle interactively.

The End