Index

Color by Numbers Version 1.0 - Table of Contents

Introduction

Menus

Game Mode

Edit Mode

Hints

About Color By Numbers


Introduction

Color By Numbers is a visual logic puzzle by Sheri Steffes and Ron Menelli of Radical Solutions, Inc.

The object of the game is to fill in the grid based on the numbers that surround the top and left sides of the puzzle. If this is done properly, the resulting pattern will be a recognizable picture. A clue is provided at the top of the grid to give you some idea of what you're going to end up with.

Twelve puzzles are included in the unregistered version. These are chosen randomly by the computer. Be sure to look at the clue at the top of the window to tell if you've solved a particular puzzle before.

Any system running Windows 3.1 is sufficient to run Color by Numbers, but we recommend a system that can display more than 16 colors on the screen at a time to avoid odd looking colors on the screen.


Information

About Color By Numbers

Color By Numbers is shareware. Please send in a donation based on what you think this game is worth. If you donate and send me your e-mail address, I will periodically send you new pictures to solve.

Radical Solutions Inc.

505 S. Fourth St. #208

Champaign, IL 61820

U.S.A.

Questions or comments or pictures can be emailed to menelli@uiuc.edu.


Menus

File Menu

New

Open

Save

Save As

Exit

Edit Menu

Edit Mode

Game Mode

Edit Clue String

Show Mistakes

Help Menu

Instructions

About


Game Mode

In game mode, you are given a blank grid and a set of numbers. It is your job to create the picture described by these numbers.

Each square can be colored blue, white or black. Black and white squares make up your guess at the picture, and blue means "I don't know". Clicking the left or right mouse button on the grid squares change their color.

The numbers on the grid tell you how many consecutive black squares are in that column or row. These numbers are in order. For example if the numbers in a row were 10 1 1 1 2 that would mean that, running from left to right, there are 5 groups of consecutive black squares that contain 10, 1, 1, 1, and 2 black squares respectively.

Each group of squares must be separated by at least one white square. Columns work in the same fashion.

By examining the numbers and the current pattern in the grid, you can determine which squares must be colored black and which must be colored white in each row or column. Click here for hints on how this is done.

Once the grid corresponds exactly with the numbers, you win! This means that a square should be colored black if and only if the numbers indicate it should be. White squares and blue squares are considered interchangeable when checking for a winning guess.

The Show Mistakes option under the Edit menu will allow you to see any mistakes you have made as it will turn any wrongly colored black or white box to red.


Edit Mode

Edit mode allows the user to create his or her own pictures. The numbers for the grid are calculated automatically as the picture is drawn.

If more than six groups of black squares are present in a single row or column, the number boxes for that row or column will turn red, indicating that there are too many numbers to fit in the number boxes. In this case, change your picture until the red boxes are replaced once again by numbers.

Be sure to choose the Edit Clue String menu option to give the user a clue as to what the picture will be.

Also, please test your pictures yourself before trying them on unsuspecting friends and relatives. Not every picture is able to be solved.

If you come up with any pictures you'd like to submit, please send them to us. If I deem them worthy, I will give you the credit for them and will periodically send them to those who have sent donations.


Hints

Here are a few hints to get started on the puzzle. If one row or column has a single large number such as 15, and the row or column is 20 across then you know that the middle ten squares must be black. The second hint is to color white any boxes that you know can't be black.


New

In Game Mode, loads a new picture randomly. Be sure to look at the clue string to make sure you haven't solved the picture before.

In Edit Mode, clears the current picture.


Open

In Game Mode, loads a saved game and lets you continue where you left off.

In Edit Mode, loads a previously created picture.


Save

In Game Mode, saves the current game in progress.

In Edit Mode, saves the picture currently being edited.


Save As

In Game Mode, saves the current game in progress after prompting the user for a filename.

In Edit Mode, saves the picture currently being edited after prompting the user for a filename.


Exit

Quits the game and asks the user if he or she wants to save.


Edit Mode

Switches Color By Numbers to Edit Mode.


Game Mode

Switches Color By Numbers to Game Mode.


Edit Clue String

Active only in Edit Mode. Prompts the user for a new clue string for this picture.


Show Mistakes

Active only in Game Mode. Highlights every black or white square in the grid that is incorrectly set.


Instructions

Brings up Windows Help for this program.


About

Brings up the About dialog for this program.