A simple 2x2x4 tutorial

[Cubenovice]

I searched the forum for titles containing 2x2x4 and did not find any references to a tutorial.
So here you have one!

It is a very simple 3-step solution I came up with yesterday, I will call it SAPS.
If this method has already been mentioned somewhere else: just forget about the name…

Step 1: Solve Center pieces (This step also restores the tower shape)
- Solve the 8 center pieces as if they are a 2x2x2 cube;
- Look at the sides only, don’t worry about U / D pieces for now

Step 2: Solve U / D faces
- This works just like opposite center pieces on a 4x4x4
- Use R2 or L2 turns with U / D twists to separate U / D
- During this this step you can already solve one U / D layer intuitively
- If you don’t solve a layer at this step you have to repeat step 3 on both U and D layer

Step 3: Solve remaining U or D layer (s)
- Hold the cube with the layer to be solved on U
- Two possible cases:
1 U layer requires a diagonal corner swap
2 U layer requires an adjacent corner swap
- Both cases can be solved with simple A-perms
- First align U as such that an A-perm will result in the U layer (still) requiring an adjacent corner swap
- Execute A-perm
- Now align u and U so they are both solvable via A-perm
- Execute A-perm
- Adjust u and U: Done!

SAPS: Simple A-Perm Solution
All feedback is appreciated.

I assume you know A-perms but any other adjacent corner swap will do just fine.
I picked A because of the low move count, an advantage on shape changing puzzles.
Could have added the exact alignements for the A-perms but then it becomes too easy...

 

[Reinier Schippers]

I think you made this tutorial because of the 2x2x4 cube you got with nemo XD i got one too i have a different method but ok i like to have more methods

 

[Kirjava]

I would've thought U/D -> 2look inners would be fast.

 

[cobe]

Thank you! It's very good! I'll practice on it.

Cobe is not Kobe, Cobe is not Cube.

 

[Cubenovice]

Edit: I'm stupid...

 

[kooivda]

Thanks Cubenovice! Could you explain what an A-perm is? I've searched the forum and found a number of permutation types, but I'm not sure what the A-perm is.
Thanks for helping this newbie!

 

[michaelfivez]

It's an PLL, It switches 3 corners (3x3x3) (either clockwise or anti-clockwise) while keeping their orientation (the same color stays at the top)
Clockwise Corner Cycle: x [ (R'UR') D2 ] [ (RU'R') D2 ] R2 (unchanged corner down left)
Counter-Clockwise Corner Cycle: (x) R2 D2 R U R' D2 R U' R (x') (unchanged corner down left)

 

[JHB]

This thread is worth the BUMP because I am addicted to the 2x2x4 Tower Cube. Admittedly there's not a lot to it, but here's a tutorial I developed with a different approach to those mentioned above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsi1agX4N3s

 

[Cubenovice]

THX for sharing

Glad to see you've kept the A-perms; some tutorials mention "parity" and add new algs.

Cheers!