Firstly visit the http://www.crossword.org.uk website. From the main screen select 'The Crossword Directory'. About halfway down there is a link to Casson's Crossword Utility. Click on that link.
Click on the button in the centre of the page to download the latest version of the software. You might like to put a shortcut to it onto your desktop.
To convert a link to your desktop.
a) On your desktop, right click your mouse and highlight the "New" section of the grey window and choose Short Cut from the next one.
b) When the Open window appears, go to the file that you saved the utility in and choose and click on the little patterned box marked CXML.
c) Click open and it will now put the shortcut to the utility on your desktop.
To convert codes from mail and other documents
1. Open the Utility - you should have a blank 12 x 12 grid in front of you.
2. Go back to the mail and select and highlight the code you need. You must highlight the full code like this: -
3. Right click on it and copy the code.
4. Go to the software and go to the Edit menu. Select Paste. The grid should appear in front of you.
5. Next, make sure the Top Right Copy/Save box has the Grid option selected.
6. Go back to the Edit menu and select Copy.
7. Next open a blank word document. Right click your mouse and select Paste
You will see this happen……….
![[Image]](utility1b.jpg)
Now all you have to do is copy and paste the clues and you have a puzzle to solve.
Next, to compile your own grids: -
1. Open the Utility and select a new grid from the New Menu.
2. Go to the Size box and select the size you want to use. You can choose unusual grids like 11x15 or 27x27!
Now all you have to do is copy and paste the clues and you have a puzzle to solve.
Next, to compile your own grids: -
1. Open the Utility and select a new grid from the New Menu.
2. Go to the Size box and select the size you want to use. You can choose unusual grids like 11x15 or 27x27!
3. Check the Symmetry menu for how you wish your symmetrical pattern to be shown.
4. Go to the Format menu and select the Vertical / Horizontal Bars or Block pattern.
5. Clicking in a grid box will place a block in it or a bar to the right (or below), depending on the pattern.
6. When you have finished your pattern. If you have a two-way symmetry you will only be able to click in the top half of the grid to format it. With 4-way symmetry you will only be able to use the NW quadrant.
7. Once you have finished this, go back to Format and select the way you wish to number. If it is a plain grid, select auto number. If it is a grid with unclued entries select the manual option. You will see the numbers in the right side. Click in the Grid Square you wish the number to go in and then it will add the number in the top right box to the square you require. It will count in sequence, but if you make a mistake, click back to where you wish and delete the number in the top right box. If you have inadvertently numbered the box it will delete the number in there.
If you have wrongly numbered, by entering the correct number in the top right Box and then clicking the square, it will resume the count.
8. Cut and paste as per the previous instructions.
Thanks to Henry Casson for his hard work in devising and developing this. He is most happy to receive feedback and suggestions. Users with Apple Macs can download the Mac Version from the Files section of The Crossword Centre's mailing list home page at http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/crosswordcentre/ There is an on-line version created by Chris Boyd which will convert cxml code at http://cgi.chrisboyd.plus.com/cxml/index.shtml
Good luck!
Dave Tilley
13.04.01