Fill-a-Pix Interactive

Fill-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 Fill-a-Pix Interactive. If you are not yet familiar with the puzzle rules, please go to Fill-a-Pix rules.

Filling and blanking squares

Fill-a-Pix interactive is played by filling or blanking squares in a grid. First click fills a square, second click displays an X to indicate the square is blank and third click brings the square back to its original state. Multiple squares may be filled or blanked by dragging the mouse.

Using Smart-fill cursor

Smart-fill cursor is an easy way to fill or blank remaining empty squares surrounding a clue with a single click. When Smart-fill cursor is in the show mode, move red box using mouse or arrow keys over the desired clue and then click spacebar or double click the edge of the red box with the mouse. Remaining empty squares around the clue will either fill or blank. Clicking Delete key will clear all 9 squares.

Completing a clue

When all 9 squares around a clue are completed, the clue turns gray and a sound is activated. To finish the game, all squares must be either filled or blanked according to the rules. When the last square of the puzzle is filled or blanked 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.

Smart-fill cursor (Keyboard: Tab)

Click to show or hide Smart-fill cursor.

Restart puzzle

Restart puzzle to solve from the beginning.

Puzzle assistant (Keyboard: C)

Check errors or get a hint for the next step

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 starting clues – 9 inside the puzzle, 6 on the sides, 4 in the corners and 0 anywhere.
Show errors: Check this box to show errors while the puzzle is solved.
Sound on: Check this box to turn sound on.

Use Smart-fill cursor as:

Reference box: Smart-fill cursor is stationary.
Mouse pointer: Smart-fill cursor moves with the mouse.

About

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

Help

Open Fill-a-Pix Interactive 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.