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#1: Adam Nielson (monkeyboy) on Feb 2, 2009 [HINT] [SPOILER]

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I can't help it. If I try to make these things go through the checker, it ruins them. I've already trashed about 6 images after completing them because of this. I also told you I'm somewhat blocked. IT'S FRUSTRATINGGGGGG!!!
(#2 will be easier.)

LOL, I can totally relate to the frustration you are feeling. I have changed my puzzles many times to get them to solve. But let me say this... I think it is better to sacrifice quality for solvability, since if people see that "massive guessing is required" or "multiple solutions" exist, very few people will try those puzzles. I doubt your quality will drop that dramatically to make a difference in your overall quality rating if you make them a little less "guessy." :-) Just my opinion, though.

I think you really have to develop a sense for what kind of images work as puzzles. Big blocks of solid color always help, and you've got one of those in this puzzle, but the bottom half of the puzzle is the kind of thing that would have me worried before I even began to draw - just a few lines in a large area of white, without strong vertical or horizontal elements. Getting that to work as a solvable puzzle is not impossible but is very difficult. It'd be a real act of wizardry to make this puzzle solvable. Best chance might be to deliberately set things up so edge logic works surprisingly well. That takes a lot of work and lots of test solving.

One trick that can make this kind of drawing work is to do it in two colors, like a black line drawing with bits of blue shading. See almost any of aanet's puzzles for amazing examples of this technique.

It takes some practice to get a sense of what exactly will work and what won't. As your sense of that improves, so does your ability to push the limits. Lots of practice solving helps too, as it helps you figure out what kinds things are solvable.

Thanks for the advice Jan. I'll work on it.

Steve, I enjoyed this very much. I usually don't attempt puzzles that require guessing as some have been too frustrating and it spoils the fun. But I knew you create good quality puzzles, so I gave it a try, and I'm glad I did.

Thank you Teresa.

Tough, fun puzzle. I did guess a little but not too much.

I saw Moe, then I thought, maybe Spock? Then I thought, No, Moe. Good puzzle! I dunno if it *required* guessing or not, but I did guess a few times. Thank you!

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solved. a few reverts at the end.

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