Triplex

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uhallgeo

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Hi!

I've written a little rubik-like puzzle, I call the puzzle Triplex. I can't solve it. One of your members suggested I post here and see if someone in this brain bank can solve Triplex.

I'm not a real cuber. (Although, I have solved the 3x3 in about 30 days.) I'm just a programmer.

I've posted Triplex on www.kidpaint.net That's my website. It's not a real website, but it's a public place that doesn't require you to do anything to see Triplex. (Assuming you can view Flash.)

I know the solution involves a sequence that will reposition a puzzle piece or pair of pieces while leaving the rest alone. But, for the life of me, I can't figure it out. If you can show me one or two sequences, I think I can add the 'SOLVE' button to the program and make it enjoyable for everyone.

The puzzle is a work in progress. If you return the puzzle to it's original state, it won't tell you. I've coded a 'you're finished' thing, but you have to hit the lowercase 'L' to see it. (Hit shift+l to turn it off.) The reason I haven't hooked it in yet, is I'm not sure what 'finished' is. As you can see, the puzzle has several identical pieces. I am not sure whether the puzzle is 'done' if these pieces are interchanged. Heck, I'm not even sure you CAN interchange them.

Anyway, I hope you can help me out and show me how to solve Triplex. I've looked on the web and so far, haven't found a solution yet. The closest I have seen is Jaap's Trio and Turnstile. Turnstile is the closest and it may be adaptable, but I'm still struggling. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

-george
 
I only had 2 minutes spare to play with this but I'm pretty sure I know how to solve it now. It's not too difficult, especially if you're a cuber (think pyraminx).
 
Neat "you're finished" effect. A timer would be nice. And you got CW and CCW mixed up.

If pieces are identical, then their order shouldn't matter and it should count as finished either way.

You can interchange whatever you want, just not two pieces without changing anything else.
 
Stefan-

I assume you mean a mouse click should be CW and not CCW? OK, I'll switch it.

Re: Identical pieces in different places. Internal to the code, each piece is it's own unique instance. So, I was waiting to see if I should run a test like spot3 == piece2. But, what you said is correct. I could just as easily run a test like spot3 == Green to test the puzzle's completion.

I'll hook in the effect.

-george
 
Escher-

I looked up Pyraminx since i wasn't familiar with it. I suspect you maybe correct. Triplex is a three sided, 2D Pyraminx.

However, having the fourth side also allows you to 'park' a tile. You can't do that with Triplex.

Solutions to Pyraminx are posted on the web. I'll look hard at it tonight.

- george
 
Pretty neat puzzle! After a couple minutes all i have left are three of the triangular pieces (i have to rotate the white, blue, and yellow ones counterclockwise). Very fun!
EDIT: Finally solved it.
 
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I know you wouldn't know this (no offence uhallgeo) but the beginning I find is very similar to inserting F2L pairs on a megaminx or something. That's really what I think it is; a megaminx with three sides. Maybe I'm completely wrong of course...
 
Oh btw, I found an algorithm for inserting an edge for the f2l. like this:




I don't know how to say it though, since there is no actual notation. Should we make one? This is super fun, so I think we should...
Oh yes, and I have a good method to get to the point where only the top circle isn't solved.

This should definitely be turned into a physical puzzle. I think you could contact Oscar who makes puzzles that he or others invent (with their permission, and gives them credit of course). Just an idea of something you could possibly turn this into.
 
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collinbxyz-

You are correct.... I don't have a clue what Megaminx is. I looked it up. There's no way I could wrap my mind around that puzzle.

However, I think Triplex is closer to Pyraminx as Escher pointed out. Either way, I am still solution-less.

I think Triplex can be solved by solving any one circle (at the expense of the other two) and then solving the other two without involving the first. I suspect this is how Stefan has solved it. However, this solution has a problem.... you must finish the first circle with the intersection stones and bones in a solvable position. I suspect this is not easy.

What I really need is two sequences. Each sequence would exchange two stones (or two bones) and leave the rest of the puzzle in tact. That would make my programming task a cake walk. Only thing wrong with that is..... I don't have those two sequences!!!

Surely, someone must be able to post those sequences! .... no???

- george
 
pjk, what did you do to solve it? I solved red, than green, than blue, than solved the magenta/cyan/yellow/white area.
 
uhallgeo said:
I think Triplex can be solved by solving any one circle (at the expense of the other two) and then solving the other two without involving the first. I suspect this is how Stefan has solved it.
Click to expand...

Pretty much, yes. Red part, blue part, green part intuitively, then simple commutators (like LR'L'R one to three times) with setups.

uhallgeo said:
However, this solution has a problem.... you must finish the first circle with the intersection stones and bones in a solvable position. I suspect this is not easy.
Click to expand...

That's always solvable.

uhallgeo said:
What I really need is two sequences. Each sequence would exchange two stones (or two bones) and leave the rest of the puzzle in tact.
Click to expand...

That's impossible.
 
I got a 1:34.25 just using some intuitive method. It's a very interesting puzzle but it would have a similar mechanism to the 15 sliding puzzle if it was made physical
 
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