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How to Batch Create Shikaku Puzzles with Time Saver

Summary:
Time Saver allows you to generate multiple Shikaku puzzle variations in a single batch. This tutorial shows how to use Time Saver to create larger puzzle collections more efficiently by combining different puzzle settings and quantities into one workflow.

Overview

Creating a few Shikaku puzzles manually is straightforward, but producing larger puzzle collections can become repetitive.

Time Saver helps automate this process by allowing you to build a list of puzzle-generation jobs and create them all in a single run.

This is particularly useful for:

  • Puzzle book creators
  • KDP publishers
  • Worksheet creators
  • Anyone producing multiple Shikaku variations

Instead of repeatedly changing settings and clicking Create, you can define multiple puzzle configurations and let Time Saver generate them together.

If you do not already have the module, you can learn more about Puzzle Maker Pro – Shikaku here: https://www.bookpublishertools.com/product/puzzle-maker-pro-shikaku/

Required Modules

Preparation

Before starting:

  • Create and preview at least one Shikaku puzzle.
  • Save any Shikaku presets you plan to reuse.
  • Decide which puzzle variations you want to generate.

For example:

  • 7×7 beginner puzzles
  • 10×10 challenge puzzles
  • Numbers mode puzzles
  • Patches mode puzzles

Step-by-Step

1. Create Your First Puzzle Configuration

Start by configuring a Shikaku puzzle normally.

For example:

  • 7×7 grid
  • Larger Areas = 0
  • Numbers mode

Preview the puzzle until you are satisfied with the setup.

2. Enable Time Saver

Enable:

Use Time Saver

The Create button changes to the Time Saver workflow.

Time Saver allows multiple puzzle-generation rows to be processed together.

3. Open the Time Saver Window

Open the Time Saver interface.

You will see a row-based workspace where each row represents a puzzle-generation task.

Each row can have:

  • Its own settings
  • Its own quantity
  • Its own preset
  • Its own puzzle configuration

4. Add a Shikaku Row

Click:

Add Row

A new Shikaku row is added using the default settings.

Each row includes:

  • Preset
  • Quantity
  • Settings Summary
  • Modified indicator

The Settings Summary provides a quick overview of the row configuration.

5. Edit Row Settings

Click the row’s:

Settings Summary

This opens the Shikaku settings editor for that row.

You can create different puzzle profiles, such as:

Row 1

  • 7×7
  • Numbers
  • Quantity 25

Row 2

  • 10×10
  • Numbers
  • Quantity 25

Row 3

  • 10×10
  • Patches
  • Quantity 25

This approach allows you to build varied puzzle collections without repeatedly changing the main module settings.

6. Adjust Quantities

Set the quantity for each row.

Examples:

  • 10 puzzles
  • 25 puzzles
  • 50 puzzles

Each row can generate a different number of puzzles.

This gives you precise control over the final collection.

7. Use Presets to Speed Up Setup

If you have saved Shikaku presets, select them directly from the Preset column.

This is often faster than configuring each row manually.

Presets are particularly useful when you regularly create:

  • Beginner collections
  • Challenge collections
  • Patches collections
  • Large-grid collections

8. Review Your Batch

Before generating, review:

  • Puzzle quantities
  • Settings summaries
  • Presets
  • Modified rows

This helps ensure the final collection contains the intended mix of puzzle styles and difficulty levels.

9. Generate the Batch

Click:

Create (TS)

Time Saver processes all rows and generates the puzzles automatically.

Instead of creating one configuration at a time, multiple Shikaku puzzle sets are created in a single workflow.

Outcome

You can now use Time Saver to create larger Shikaku puzzle collections efficiently.

This workflow allows you to:

  • Generate multiple puzzle variations in one run
  • Reuse presets
  • Create mixed-difficulty collections
  • Produce puzzle books more efficiently
  • Scale your puzzle production workflow

For many publishers, Time Saver becomes the preferred way to generate larger puzzle collections because it reduces repetitive setup work and makes batch creation significantly faster.

Related Resources

Further Reading

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