After a longer than expected delay, MazeCubeGenerator now has the ability to produce 3D models that should be easier to print on a typical 3D printer.

A while back, I looked into the question of how difficult is is to generate mazes in the style of Oskar’s Cube.  The resulting C program was able to output 3D models of the resulting puzzles and their solutions, but the models would be very difficult to print on a typical FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer.  At the time, I had planned a quick update to add support for an alternate 3D model that would be easier to print, but would require assembly afterwards.  After some unfortunate delays, that update is finally done.

In this latest release, it is now possible to export 3D mazes as a model with six individual maze face pieces and two slider pieces.  These face and slider pieces should, in theory, be assemblable (with the help of some glue) into a functional 3D maze.  Unfortunately, I do not have easy access to a 3D printer, so I cannot actually print these models to test.

An example unfolded 3D maze.

Above is an example of an unfolded 3D model.  Between the faces are pieces that can be assembled into the slider for the puzzle.  A similar unfolded model for Oskar’s Cube, used to verify that the faces are correct, is also available.

Eventually, I hope to actually print one of these.  Until then, future updates will most likely focus on improvements to the maze generation algorithm.