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{{Template:I18n/Language Navigation Bar|KrossWordPuzzle}}
 


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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
You can use KrossWordPuzzle to play crosswords or to create new crosswords. It can open and save *.puz-files (AcrossLite) and it's own *.kwp files (which are XML files) or *.kwpz (which are compressed *.kwp files). You can download lots of crosswords from within the game.
You can use KrossWordPuzzle to play crosswords or to create new crosswords. It can open and save *.puz-files (AcrossLite) and it's own *.kwp files (which are XML files) or *.kwpz (which are compressed *.kwp files). You can download lots of crosswords from within the game.
KrossWordPuzzle is a community app {{Community-app}}.


==Screenshots==
==Screenshots==
'''TODO: More screenshots'''
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_play_print.jpg|350px|center|thumb]]
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_play_print.jpg|350px|center|thumb]]


==Features==
==Features==
::* '''Different crossword types:''' American, Swedish, Number Puzzle and Crossnumber. User defined types are also possible based on a set of rules. Barred crosswords can be played/designed (bars added automatically).
::* '''Many crossword types:'''
::* A '''library''', to store crosswords in
::** ''American''
::* Load different file formats (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz)
::** ''Swedish''
::* Export to many file formats (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz, .pdf, .ps, .png, .jpg)
::** ''Number Puzzle''
::* Download lots of PUZ-files from the Internet.
::** ''Crossnumber''
::* '''Thumb creator''' for crossword files. It's used to get thumbnails for crosswords in the library. Can also be enabled for crossword files in dolphin.
::** ''User defined'' crossword types based on a set of rules  
::** ''Barred crosswords'' can be played/designed in each type (bars added automatically)
::** See [[User:Fpuelz/Crossword_Types|Crossword Types]] for a detailed description of the different crossword types


::* '''Print''' crosswords, print preview.
::* '''Many cell types:'''
::* Export to PDF, Postscript, PNG, JPEG.
::** ''Empty Cells''
::** ''Letter Cells''
::** ''Clue Cells'' (containing the clue text, eg. for swedish crosswords)
::** ''Double Clue Cells'' (two half clue cells inside one cell in the crossword grid)
::** ''Image cells'' (can be stretched across multiple cells, can display local or remote images)
::** ''Solution Letter Cells'' (all solution letter cells of a crossword form it's solution word)


::* Themes. There are currently three themes available: Default, Scribble and an Egyptian theme.
::* A '''Library''', to store crosswords in
::** Add crosswords in ''different file formats'' to the library (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz)
::* Give hints, check and solve crosswords.
::** ''Download'' lots of .puz-crosswords from the Internet directly into the library
::* Set confidence values for filled out letter cells.
::** ''Export'' to many file formats (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz, .pdf, .ps, .png, .jpg)
::* Image cells, which can be stretched across multiple cells. Can display local or remote images.
::** ''Thumb creator'' for crossword files. It's used to get thumbnails for crosswords in the library. Can also be enabled for crossword files in dolphin.
::* Double clue cells, two (half) clue cells inside one cell in the crossword grid.
::* A solution word can be defined by converting some letter cells to "solution letter cells" in edit mode. The solution word is displayed in a toolbar, focus and current letters are synchronized between the solution letter cells in the toolbar and the ones in the crossword.
::* Erasor tool to clear letter cells / whole clue answers.
::* Clue list in a dock, which also shows the current answers.
::* '''Edit crosswords''' (edit mode). You can add/remove/change clues and images, change correct letters, convert between crossword types, resize the crossword grid or move all cells in the grid. Clue cells can be hidden or shown with the clue text in it, useful for german/swedish/? crosswords.
::* Undo/redo for all edit actions. The undo stack can also be saved with the crossword in XML files.
::* A '''dictionary''' to find matching answers for new clues. The dictionary database (MySQL) can be filled from plain text dictionaries, crossword files or cvs-files. You can search for answers using wildcard patterns. Those patterns are automatically generated based on the letters that are already in the crossword, therefore matching answers are automatically offered when adding new clues.
::* '''Templates''' for new crosswords.
::* Interactively change answer-lengths by dragging a bar after the last letter cell of a clue.
::* Check for 180 degree rotation symmetry, view statistics.
::* Restore lost crosswords after a crash of the game (hopefully there is none ;)).


==Using KrossWordPuzzle==
::* '''Print''' crosswords, print preview
===Library===
The library is shown after the game has started. If it's not shown, you can always switch back to the library by using the Library-tab on top:


[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_menu.jpg]]
::* '''Themes'''. There are currently three themes available: Default, Scribble and an Egyptian theme.


The library shows all your crosswords. In the toolbar of the library you have some options to fill your library: Download, Import, New Crossword. There are also options to organize your library: Delete, New Folder. Some buttons need a crossword to be selected.
::* Features in '''Playing Mode''' (edit mode not enabled)
 
::** Give ''hints'', ''check'' and ''solve'' whole crosswords or single answers/letters
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_library_toolbar.jpg]]
::** Set ''confidence values'' for filled out letter cells
 
::** ''Clue list'' in a dock, which also shows the current answers
 
::** ''Eraser tool'' to clear letter cells / whole clue answers
====Downloading crosswords====
::** ''Context menus'' for all cells
In the library click '''Download''' to open the download dialog. Select a provider to show a list of offered crosswords. A preview is shown for the selected crossword. To find a specific crossword you can use the search line.
::** ''Easy navigation'' using the mouse and/or the keyboard, there are also navigation commands in the Move menu and in the toolbar
You can change the target folder for downloaded crosswords at the bottom of the download dialog.
::** ''Fill out crosswords'' by selecting clues and writing the answer with the keyboard directly in the crossword view
Click '''Ok''' to download the selected crossword.
 
::* '''Edit crosswords''' (edit mode)
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_download.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The download dialog]]
::** ''Add / remove / change'' clues and images
 
::** Change ''correct letters''
 
::** ''Interactively change selected cells'' in a dock (clue texts / orientation / answer offset / dictionary / ..., image sources / cell span / ...)
====Importing crosswords====
::** ''Convert'' between crossword types
In the library click '''Import''' to import local crossword files to your library. You can also add crosswords to the library by dropping files, eg. from dolphin. The following file formats are supported:
::** ''Resize'' the crossword grid
::* '''.puz''' (AcrossLite)
::** ''Move all cells'' in the grid
::* '''.kwp''' (for '''k'''ross-'''w'''ord-'''p'''uzzle)
::** Interactively change ''answer-lengths'' by dragging a bar after the last letter cell of a clue
::* '''.kwpz''' (compressed .kwp-files)
::** Check for ''180 degree rotation symmetry''
 
::** View ''statistics''
 
::** ''Templates'' for new crosswords
====Exporting crosswords====
::** ''Undo / redo'' for all edit actions. The undo stack can also be saved with the crossword in XML files
In the library click '''Export''' to export the selected crossword. The following file formats are supported for exporting:
::** A ''dictionary'' to find matching answers for new clues
::* '''.puz''' (AcrossLite)
::** A ''solution word'' can be defined by converting some letter cells to "solution letter cells". The solution word is displayed in a toolbar
::* '''.kwp''' (for '''k'''ross-'''w'''ord-'''p'''uzzle)
::** ''Context menus'' for editing
::* '''.kwpz''' (compressed .kwp-files)
::* '''.pdf''' (Acrobat Reader, Okular, ...)
::* '''.ps''' (Post script)
::* '''.png''' (Image format)
::* '''.jpg''' (Image format)
 
 
====Creating new crosswords====
In the library click '''New Crossword''', which will open a dialog. In the '''General''' tab you can choose a crossword type and set some information like the authors name (you) or the size of the crossword. You can also create user defined crossword types. See [[#Crossword_Types|Crossword Types]] for an overview of the available crossword types. All settings can be changed later via '''Edit -> Crossword Properties...'''.
 
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_newcrossword_1.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The general tab of the create new dialog]]
 
 
In the '''Template''' tab you can choose to use a template. Templates are complete crosswords, but without clue texts or answer letters. You can use them to quickly create new crosswords by just filling in the clues. If you have a good [[#Using_the_Dictionary|dictionary]] this can be really easy.
 
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_newcrossword_2.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The template tab of the create new dialog]]
 
After clicking '''Ok''' the new crossword is created and shown in edit mode. See [[#Editing_Crosswords|Editing Crosswords]] to see how to edit that new crossword.
 
 
====Organize your library====
In the library click '''Delete''', to delete the selected crossword from the library. You can also delete a folder from the library. This will delete all contained crosswords in that folder.
To create new folders click '''New Folder''', which will ask you for a name for the new folder.
 
 
 
===Playing Crosswords===
::{|cellpadding="2"
|[[Image:Im-status-message-edit.png]]||'''TODO'''||Add more text (eraser, check solution)
|}
Choose a crossword to play from the library and then click '''Open''' in the toolbar or double click that crossword. See [[#Library|Library]] for instructions on how to add crosswords to your library.
 
This is how the main window will look after opening the crossword:
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_play_1.jpg|thumb|425px|center|The crossword tab with an opened crossword]]
 
You can click each letter cell to set the focus to that cell. When you press a letter key, that letter will be put into the focused cell and the next letter cell of the current clue will be focused. Normally you will start with focusing the first letter cell of a clue and then just write the answer.
 
 
====Navigation====
There are many ways to navigate through the crossword. First you can use the '''arrow keys''' to move the focus.
 
There are other actions for navigation (some have default shortcuts):
:* '''Select First Letter''' (default shortcut ''Home''), selects the first letter of the current clue
:* '''Select Last Letter''' (default shortcut ''End''), selects the last letter of the current clue
:* '''Select Clue With Switched Orientation''' (default shortcut ''Tab''), selects the clue with a different orientation without selecting another letter
:* '''Select First Clue''', selects the first clue
:* '''Select Previous Clue''', selects the previous clue
:* '''Select Next Clue''' (default shortcut ''Return''), selects the next clue
:* '''Select Last Clue''', selects the last clue
 
All those actions are listed in the '''Move''' menu:
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_menu_move.jpg|thumb|250px|center|The move menu]]
 
 
To change the zoom level you can use the '''zoom slider''' in the status bar, use the '''View''' menu or hold Ctrl and zoom in/out with the mouse wheel. You can show the whole crossword in the window using '''View -> Fit to page'''.
 
To pan the view you can enable the pan mode using '''View -> Pan''' or the pan button in the toolbar. In pan mode you can use the mouse to drag the view. You can also pan when not in pan mode by pressing and holding Ctrl.
 
 
====Clue List====
The clue list isn't shown for all crossword types by default (eg. not for swedish crosswords). You can show/hide it via '''Settings -> Clue List'''. It shows a list of all clues of the current crossword with it's current answers. You can click each clue in the list to pan the view to that clue. After clicking a clue you can directly start writing the answer.
 
 
====Hints, Solving====
When you're stuck while trying to solve a crossword you can get help. There are different actions for getting help:  
:* Solve the whole crossword (using '''Move -> Solve''')
:* Solve a whole clue (using the context menu on a letter cell and then choose '''Solve Across Clue''' or '''Solve Down Clue''')
:* Solve a single letter (using '''Move -> Hint''' or the context menu on a letter cell and then choose '''Hint For This Cell''')
 
 
 
===Editing Crosswords===
::{|cellpadding="2"
|[[Image:Im-status-message-edit.png]]||'''TODO'''||Write text here :)
|}
 
 
====Managing the Dictionary====
First you need to have a MySQL server installed and running. '''TODO: More text here...'''
 
You can open the dictionary dialog via '''Settings -> Dictionary...'''.
 
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_dictionary.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The dictionary dialog]]
 
On the right of the dialog you can see a list of all words in your dictionary. Each word can have an associated clue text.
On the left you can see a toolbox with three sections: '''Fill Dictionary''', '''Edit''' and '''Backup'''.
 
To add words with their clue texts from existing crosswords you can use '''Extract From Library''', which extracts all words from all crosswords in your library or '''Extract From Crosswords...''', which lets you choose crossword files to extract words from. You can also add words (without clue texts) from plain text dictionary files using '''Add Words From Dictionary...'''. Normally /usr/dict or /usr/share/dict contains such dictionaries.
 
To add single words use '''Add Entry''' from the '''Edit''' section. Change the word directly in the list. To remove all selected words from the dictionary use '''Remove Selected''', to clear the dictionary use '''Clear Dictionary'''.
 
The '''Backup''' section contains two buttons: '''Import (CSV)...''' and '''Export (CSV)...'''. These can be used to import/export the dictionary to/from comma seperated files (CSV). CSV-Files can also be imported with spread sheet applications. You can use those files as backup or to share your dictionary with others.
 
 
====Using the Dictionary====
'''TODO: Description of adding clues using the dictionary'''
 
 
==Settings==
To open the settings dialog use '''Settings -> Configure KrossWordPuzzle...'''.
 
 
===Animations===
You can disable animations if the game is running slow or if you don't like them.
 
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_settings_animations.jpg|thumb|250px|center|The animations tab of the settings dialog]]
 
You can enable/disable all animations with '''Enable Animations'''.
The other checkboxes enable/disable single animation types:
:*'''Animate Size Changes''': Animates changes to the size of image cells.
:*'''Animate Position Changes''': Animates changes to the position of cells, ie. moves the cells to their new position.
:*'''Animate Items Appearance''': Fades in new cells.
:*'''Animate Items Disappearance''': Fades out cells when they disappear.
:*'''Animate Focus In''': Animates cells when they get focus.
:*'''Animate Changing Letter''': Turns letter cells around when their letter changes, with the new letter on the other side.
:*'''Animate Changes to an Items Appearance''': Fades from the previous appearance of a cell to it's new appearance. This also animates selection changes.
 
 
===Themes===
TODO
 
 
==Crossword Types==
::{|cellpadding="2"
|[[Image:Im-status-message-edit.png]]||'''TODO'''||Write text here :)
|}
 
 
===American Crosswords===
Crossword grids such as those appearing in most North American newspapers and magazines feature solid areas of white squares. Every letter is checked, and usually each answer is required to contain at least three letters. In such puzzles shaded squares are traditionally limited to about one-sixth of the design. Crossword grids elsewhere, such as in Britain and Australia, have a lattice-like structure, with a higher percentage of shaded squares, leaving up to half the letters in an answer unchecked. For example, if the top row has an answer running all the way across, there will be no across answers in the second row.
 
Another tradition in puzzle design (in North America and Britain particularly) is that the grid should have 180-degree rotational symmetry, so that its pattern appears the same if the paper is turned upside down. Most puzzle designs also require that all white cells be orthogonally contiguous (that is, connected in one mass through shared sides, to form a single polyomino).
 
 
===Swedish Crosswords===
The Swedish-Style grid uses no clue numbers - the clues are contained in the cells which would normally be black in other countries. Arrows indicate in which direction the clues have to be answered, vertical or horizontal. This style of grid is used in several countries other than Sweden, usually in magazines with pages of A4 or similar size. The grid often has a photo of a pop or movie star replacing a block of squares, as a clue to one answer. These puzzles usually have no symmetry in the grid.
 
Crosswords with clue cells inside the crossword grid are also called '''Arrowwords''', '''Pointers''' or '''Tipwords''' in English, '''Autodefinidos''' in Spanish, '''Mots Fléchés''' in French, etc.
 
 
===Crossnumbers===
A crossnumber (also known as a cross-figure) is the numerical analogy of a crossword, in which the solutions to the clues are numbers instead of words. Clues are usually arithmetical expressions, but can also be general knowledge clues to which the answer is a number or year. There are also numerical fill-in crosswords.


The Daily Mail Weekend magazine used to feature crossnumbers under the misnomer Number Word. This kind of puzzle should not be confused with a different puzzle that the Daily Mail refers to as Cross Number.
::* '''Restore lost crosswords''' after a crash of the game (hopefully there is none ;)).


==More Help is on these Pages==
* [[User:Fpuelz/Using_KrossWordPuzzle|Using KrossWordPuzzle]] - Solve crosswords or create new ones


===Number Puzzles===
==[[User:Fpuelz/Using_KrossWordPuzzle|Using KrossWordPuzzle]]==
Number puzzles are a variant of crosswords in which each cell has a number between 1 and 26. The solver has to find out for which letter of the alphabet a number stands.
{{info|This chapter explains the '''use''' of KrossWordPuzzle as game and as crossword creator/editor.  


[[User:Fpuelz/Using_KrossWordPuzzle|Go to this chapter]]}}
'''TODO: Higher resolution'''
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_use_screenie.png|550px|center|thumb]]


===Free Crosswords===
==[[User:Fpuelz/Settings|Settings]]==
This is a special type that tries to be least restrictive. You can use all available cell types (eg. clue cells, double clue cells, image cells, solution letter cells). You can mix answers that have a clue cell with answers that don't. Answers may contain characters as well as numbers.
{{info|This chapter explains the '''settings''' of KrossWordPuzzle.


[[User:Fpuelz/Settings|Go to this chapter]]}}
'''TODO: Higher resolution'''
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_settings_screenie.png|400px|center|thumb]]


===User Defined Crosswords===
==[[User:Fpuelz/Crossword_Types|Crossword Types]]==
Lets you specify your own rules. '''TODO: Description of the rules'''
{{info|This chapter gives an '''overview of supported crossword types''' and information on how to '''create a custom crossword type''' based on a set of rules.


[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_types_1.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The basic settings tab of the crossword type dialog]]
[[User:Fpuelz/Crossword_Types|Go to this chapter]]}}
'''TODO: Higher resolution'''
[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_types_screenie.png|550px|center|thumb]]




[[Image:krosswordpuzzle_dialog_types_2.jpg|thumb|350px|center|The rules tab of the crossword type dialog]]






'''KrossWordPuzzle has a page on ''[http://kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=111726 kde-apps.org]''''', where you can download the latest sources and binary packages for various distributions.
{{Community-app-footnote}}
{{Community-app-footnote}}


[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 16 June 2011


 KrossWordPuzzle is a crossword playing game and editor.

Introduction

You can use KrossWordPuzzle to play crosswords or to create new crosswords. It can open and save *.puz-files (AcrossLite) and it's own *.kwp files (which are XML files) or *.kwpz (which are compressed *.kwp files). You can download lots of crosswords from within the game.

KrossWordPuzzle is a community app  See footnote .

Screenshots

TODO: More screenshots

Features

  • Many crossword types:
    • American
    • Swedish
    • Number Puzzle
    • Crossnumber
    • User defined crossword types based on a set of rules
    • Barred crosswords can be played/designed in each type (bars added automatically)
    • See Crossword Types for a detailed description of the different crossword types
  • Many cell types:
    • Empty Cells
    • Letter Cells
    • Clue Cells (containing the clue text, eg. for swedish crosswords)
    • Double Clue Cells (two half clue cells inside one cell in the crossword grid)
    • Image cells (can be stretched across multiple cells, can display local or remote images)
    • Solution Letter Cells (all solution letter cells of a crossword form it's solution word)
  • A Library, to store crosswords in
    • Add crosswords in different file formats to the library (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz)
    • Download lots of .puz-crosswords from the Internet directly into the library
    • Export to many file formats (.puz, .kwp, .kwpz, .pdf, .ps, .png, .jpg)
    • Thumb creator for crossword files. It's used to get thumbnails for crosswords in the library. Can also be enabled for crossword files in dolphin.
  • Print crosswords, print preview
  • Themes. There are currently three themes available: Default, Scribble and an Egyptian theme.
  • Features in Playing Mode (edit mode not enabled)
    • Give hints, check and solve whole crosswords or single answers/letters
    • Set confidence values for filled out letter cells
    • Clue list in a dock, which also shows the current answers
    • Eraser tool to clear letter cells / whole clue answers
    • Context menus for all cells
    • Easy navigation using the mouse and/or the keyboard, there are also navigation commands in the Move menu and in the toolbar
    • Fill out crosswords by selecting clues and writing the answer with the keyboard directly in the crossword view
  • Edit crosswords (edit mode)
    • Add / remove / change clues and images
    • Change correct letters
    • Interactively change selected cells in a dock (clue texts / orientation / answer offset / dictionary / ..., image sources / cell span / ...)
    • Convert between crossword types
    • Resize the crossword grid
    • Move all cells in the grid
    • Interactively change answer-lengths by dragging a bar after the last letter cell of a clue
    • Check for 180 degree rotation symmetry
    • View statistics
    • Templates for new crosswords
    • Undo / redo for all edit actions. The undo stack can also be saved with the crossword in XML files
    • A dictionary to find matching answers for new clues
    • A solution word can be defined by converting some letter cells to "solution letter cells". The solution word is displayed in a toolbar
    • Context menus for editing
  • Restore lost crosswords after a crash of the game (hopefully there is none ;)).

More Help is on these Pages

Using KrossWordPuzzle

Information
This chapter explains the use of KrossWordPuzzle as game and as crossword creator/editor. Go to this chapter

TODO: Higher resolution

Settings

Information
This chapter explains the settings of KrossWordPuzzle. Go to this chapter

TODO: Higher resolution

Crossword Types

Information
This chapter gives an overview of supported crossword types and information on how to create a custom crossword type based on a set of rules. Go to this chapter

TODO: Higher resolution



KrossWordPuzzle has a page on kde-apps.org, where you can download the latest sources and binary packages for various distributions.

Support for this application can be found from the project's home page

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