Method Development Tools

I have discovered some useful tools and programs to help with the method development process.

3x3 Constraint Solver

This tool by Michael Gottlieb can generate every possible permutation that satisfies constraints. Clicking the 'help?' button will show a full tutorial if you scroll down.

Put the constraints in the box, set the display style to Visualcube, click generate, then copy and paste each link into a new tab to see all the cases.

Note: You can even use this for 2x2 by setting the constraints to be EO and EP.

Cube Explorer

Use this program by Herbert Koceimba to generate algorithms. Click on a center piece to select that colour, then click on any other peice to paint. Ctrl-click to set orientation, Shift-click for permutation.

Click 'Add and Solve' to generate algs that solve that case. Let it run for a few seconds, then click 'Stop Search' and scroll to the top. If one of the first few isn't fingertrick friendly, select all of them and paste them into a Google Doc. You can then use Ctrl+F to search for common triggers like R U R' or R' F R.

Tutorials: Java Cuber, Rowan Fortier (skip to 12:53)

Visualcube

This website by Conrad Rider can generate images of any NxN puzzle from any angle with any case, using parameters you input into the address bar.

Tutorial: SomeRandomCuber

Google Sheets & Docs

Google Docs is very good for documenting your method. There's not much else to say.

Google Sheets, on the other hand, has some very useful functionality. It is mainly used for PB Sheets (see mine in the footer) and showing algorithms.

You can use this function to show what case an algorithm solves.