Block-a-Pix Interactive

Block-a-Pix puzzles can be played interactively on the computer, offering many features and advantages compared to pencil and paper. This section explains everything about how to play Block-a-Pix on the computer. If you are not yet familiar with the puzzle rules, please go to Block-a-Pix rules.

Filling blocks

Block-a-Pix Interactive is played by filling rectangular blocks in a grid. To fill a block, click mouse on a clue and drag to the required size. The block will expand, showing a surrounding outline until the block is complete. Blocks with size 1 are filled with a single click. To edit, click the edge of the block and drag mouse to redraw the block. To delete, double click mouse anywhere on the block.

Completing a block

When the size of a block equals the value of the clue it contains, the block is completed and its surrounding outline will disappear. To finish the game, all blocks must be filled according to the rules. When the last block of the puzzle is filled correctly, a congratulations message together with a thumbnail of the puzzle will pop up.

Toolbar

All game functions are accessed through the toolbar. For some toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcut keys are also available as listed below. Toolbar may be positioned horizontally or vertically using the rotate button on the left edge, and relocated anywhere in the game by dragging its frame.

Zoom in

Enlarge small puzzles for best viewing on your screen.

Zoom out

Reduce large puzzles for best fit on your screen.

Undo (Keyboard: U)

Go back as many steps in the game as you want.

Redo (Keyboard: R)

Go forward after using Undo as many steps as you want.

Restart puzzle

Restart puzzle to solve from the beginning.

Check puzzle (Keyboard: C)

Check all blocks for errors.

Progress

Show preview and elapsed solving time.

Show solution

Show solution of the puzzle. Using this button will also end the game.

Preferences

Open Preferences dialog box. New preferences will be automatically saved on the computer.

Auto fill starting clues: Check this box to automatically fill all blocks of 1.
Show errors: Check this box to show errors while the puzzle is solved.
Show block size counter: Check this box to show block size counter.
Sound on: Check this box to turn sound on.

About

Open About dialog box to see puzzle size, difficulty, ID, title and other information.

Help

Open How to play Block-a-Pix page you are reading now.

Print options

Open Print dialog box. New print options will be automatically saved on the computer.

Print

Puzzle: Select to print puzzle.
Solution: Select to print solution.
Current state: Select to print current solution state.

Scaling

Preferred image scale: Reduce or enlarge printout.
Attempt to reduce to page: Check this box to automatically fit large puzzles on a single page. When this box is unchecked, large puzzles will print in multiple pages according to selected scaling.
Attempt to enlarge to page: Check this box to automatically enlarge small puzzles to fit on a whole page. When this box is unchecked, small puzzles will print according to selected scaling.
Select optimal orientation: Check this box to automatically select puzzle orientation.