Jigsaws Galore by Gray Design

(Reviewed by Len Kopf, NJCC Member)

Probably the most versatile of computer jigsaw puzzles is Jigsaws Galore, from Gray Design. A trial version of 10 puzzles can be downloaded from www.dgray.com for evaluation for 30 days. It comes with all features permitting the user to customize it according to his/her own skills. There are no extras to be found in the purchased versions. The full version of 20 puzzles is $25.00 and is downloaded from their website, a $39 CD-ROM version has 192 puzzles in 11 categories.

Pull down menus and toolbars allow a variety of combinations of features:

• Degree of difficulty from beginner to expert

• Puzzle piece shape choice

• Puzzle piece size choice

• Zoom in and out

• Background color selection in main and tray areas

• Trays used for sorting can be moved with pieces “stuck” to them, forward, back or sideways

• Piece rotation (or not) in 90-degree increments

• For the beginner there are “hints” with adjacent pieces auto-assembling to a selected piece via the right mouse button

• Sound toggle buttons for effects and music (supply your own music in WAV or MIDI files)

• Special dropdown menus from right mouse button

The appearance of the puzzle pieces are very life-like, in that they are 3 dimensional with rounded edges just like a thick cardboard stamping for use on the bridge table, and the pieces are dragged easily with the mouse. Precise positioning for the piece is covered by a slight degree of snap, which will audibly click when the proper piece fits. Though the whole picture may be too large for the screen, the assembled pieces may be move around as a whole allowing all sides and corners to be viewed and worked on.

A most interesting feature is that of using your own photos jigsawed as puzzles. Open the Jigsaw Preview Window and click on the button marked “Image”. This will let you browse any image files you have on your computer. These may be .bmp, .pcx, .jpg, .wmf, and other popular image files. Select one you like and press the “Open” button to make a jigsaw of it. This original jigsaw puzzle can be distributed to friends, but there are certain copyright rules you must follow. Obviously they must have Jigsaws Galore installed to be able to use your picture puzzle.

There are extensive “Help” listings with FAQs and excellent instructions for use as well as start-up suggestions for all levels of play. Much of the game operation is intuitive to jigsaw fans and is as difficult and challenging as you choose it to be as you become more expert.

I would not hesitate to recommend this program to any puzzler, even children using large pieces. This shareware version can be used for 30 days, when it will self destruct unless you buy it. Once you have worked your way through all these jigsaws there are more to be ordered online and downloaded.