Hello,
I programmed a LaTeX preprocessor to create game and puzzle diagrams. I recently added the ability to make diagrams made of hexagons.
The documentation and examples are here: http://abrobecker.free.fr/tools/ffen2tex_doc.pdf
The program (compiled for window$), examples and c source code are here: http://abrobecker.free.fr/tools/ffen2tex.zip
It's the tool I used most for games and puzzle design, hope it can help others.
Any feedback or suggestions?
Best regards, Alain Brobecker
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ffen2tex, a tool to create game/puzzle diagrams
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- Stefan Kottwitz
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10348
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:44 pm
ffen2tex, a tool to create game/puzzle diagrams
Hi Alain,
welcome to the forum!
That's very interesting. My first thought when I read it and had a glance into the documentation: I would like to see complete sample puzzles to better understand. My second thought after reading: it's for writing but not for reading. I hardly can read the code. I guess I prefer "put KING at (2,2)" instead of a cryptic symbol within cryptic context.
Just thoughts. For the experienced coder who writes a lot of such diagrams, the tool can be a relief.
Stefan
welcome to the forum!
That's very interesting. My first thought when I read it and had a glance into the documentation: I would like to see complete sample puzzles to better understand. My second thought after reading: it's for writing but not for reading. I hardly can read the code. I guess I prefer "put KING at (2,2)" instead of a cryptic symbol within cryptic context.

Stefan
LaTeX.org admin
ffen2tex, a tool to create game/puzzle diagrams
Hi Stefan,
Thank you for the feedback.
Yes, more puzzles and examples would be better, will do that, but not fast! (Unless many people ask)
Maybe I shall add the information about FEN too?
The truth is sometimes I create programs that generate the puzzles, hence the ffen. Yes, it's a programmer tool, but I'm also quite used to it and can write fluently ffen diagrams (always with the quick reference aside). Reading them is harder, but if you compile it then you see it!
Error handling is not easy.
Alain
Thank you for the feedback.
Yes, more puzzles and examples would be better, will do that, but not fast! (Unless many people ask)
Maybe I shall add the information about FEN too?
The truth is sometimes I create programs that generate the puzzles, hence the ffen. Yes, it's a programmer tool, but I'm also quite used to it and can write fluently ffen diagrams (always with the quick reference aside). Reading them is harder, but if you compile it then you see it!
Error handling is not easy.
Alain
- Stefan Kottwitz
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10348
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:44 pm
ffen2tex, a tool to create game/puzzle diagrams
I did not mean more examples, more like (maybe I overlooked) sample puzzle pages of a puzzle book, real tasks, challenges, with text, a story, assuming that you did already, so seeing it "in real life".
Stefan
Stefan
LaTeX.org admin
ffen2tex, a tool to create game/puzzle diagrams
Here it is, sadly in French only at the moment :
http://abrobecker.free.fr/jeux/index.htm#jeuxdegrille
Also most puzzle games on the same page were made with it before being sent to editors who adds nice graphics. Some extra puzzles are made with it.
(some other examples are here: http://abrobecker.free.fr/chess.htm but they are mixed with pre-ffen2tex works)
Alain
http://abrobecker.free.fr/jeux/index.htm#jeuxdegrille
Also most puzzle games on the same page were made with it before being sent to editors who adds nice graphics. Some extra puzzles are made with it.
(some other examples are here: http://abrobecker.free.fr/chess.htm but they are mixed with pre-ffen2tex works)
Alain