Lightning Brain Free Sudoku for InDesign
This is a free download for InDesign CS, CS2 and CS3 (see further below for download link).
In addition to this free version we also sell a more powerful version which offers features like the generation of multiple puzzles, more layout options, and puzzles with various forms of visual symmetry. Check it our here...
So, you're publishing a newspaper, magazine, newsletter... Wouldn't it be handy to be able to generate Sudoku puzzles directly in InDesign for your 'Puzzle Page'? You're in control of the look and feel of the generated Sudoku - and our generator takes care of actually building the puzzles for you.
The generated Sudoku are stored in two InDesign tables - one with the pattern of digits, and another one 'in front' which obscures some of the numbers. You can easily expose the solution by removing the frontmost 'obscuring' table.
The example above is a Sudoku generated using the default style of the provided template.
It consists of two tables piled on top of each other and grouped together. Ungrouping allows you to move the top table away:
Underneath is the complete solution:
Download
This is a free download. Before you can use the LB Sudoku Plug-In you also have to install our free APID ToolAssistant Plug-In, which is available as a second, separate download.
LB Sudoku supports InDesign CS and CS2 on Mac or Windows.
Download Sudoku Generator (version 1.0.6 - Free download - does not include the APID ToolAssistant. Don't worry about the icon of the .spln file: it will not be a 'regular' icon, and that's OK.)
IMPORTANT: The ReadMe file in this download still mentions the outdated Active Page Item Runtime plug-in. Instead you should install the APID ToolAssistant plug-in shown below.
You don't need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant (but we're always grateful if you do - it helps us fund further development). The LB Sudoku Plug-In will work fine with an unlicensed APID ToolAssistant.
To encourage us by purchasing such an optional license, select the API - APID ToolAssistant... menu item, select the 'APID ToolAssistant' entry in the list, and click the Get License... button. Purchasing a license helps us fund further development of cool stuff!
Let us know if this tool is useful to you, at pluginsupport@rorohiko.com. Thanks!
Version history:
14-Aug-2006 - Version 1.0.6
- Resolved incompatibility with Active Page Item Runtime 1.0.29
- Separated generator from template into a stand-alone .spln file
- Users upgrading from an older version must adjust their custom template files by removing the Sudoku-generator page item from the pasteboard.26-May-2006- Version 1.0.5:
- Added progress bar
- Updated enclosed runtime to version 1.0.21.23-Dec-2005- Version 1.0.3:
- Updated enclosed runtime to version 1.0.15a.
- The Sudoku Generator template itself had a slight cosmetic modification.
- Adjusted the ReadMe document for the new runtime14-Nov-2005- Version 1.0.2:
- Now really updated enclosed runtime to version 1.0.12a. The Sudoku Generator template itself was not modified13-Nov-2005- Version 1.0.1:
- Updated enclosed runtime to version 1.0.12a. The Sudoku Generator template itself was not modified. Due to a manipulation mistake, the 1.0.1 disk image ended up with the old 1.0.11a runtime - this was corrected in Sudoku 1.0.25-Nov-2005 - Version 1.0:
- Initial release
Usage
To use: First, make sure you have the APID ToolAssistant Plug-In installed (quit and restart InDesign if necessary).
Then simply open the template file 'sudoku.indt'. You'll be presented with a dialog:
Set the desired difficulty level for the puzzle - the lower this number, the easier it is to solve the puzzle.
Higher numbers cause the generator to take longer to generate the puzzle - please be patient; puzzles with values around 20 or higher can take multiple minutes to generate.
If you want to create a separate solution box at the same time, select the 'Show Separate Solution Box' before clicking OK.
Once the Sudoku is generated, you can copy and paste it anwywhere you like (e.g. on your puzzle page).
If you want to adjust the look and feel of the generated Sudoku: simply open the template and immediately click 'Cancel' in the Sudoku dialog so it does not generate a Sudoku.
Then adjust the look and feel of the puzzle template (make it smaller, change font, colors,...) - it's a simple InDesign table, and you can do whatever you like with it.
After changing, re-save as a new template, and you're done.
The 'cover box' at the bottom of the page is a table with empty cells - by default I have filled them with a color of 'Paper' so the 'covered' cells will be white. If you prefer another color or so, simply adjust the fill color of these empty cells.
Let us know if this is useful to you, at pluginsupport@rorohiko.com. Also, we can help you with any automation needs you might have - if you find yourself doing the same manual task in InDesign over and over, talk to us - this free Sudoku generator is a simple example of what we can provide. Thanks!