Snyder notation
This notion method may be used for any puzzle involving turns, whereby each layer is parallel to at least one face layer.
Advantages: far simpler more intuitive way to represent turns in a large number of multilayer puzzles. It works with cubes, dodecahedrons, pyamids, and many other puzzles.
Face Layers for Cubes:
- F = Front Face
- U = Upper Face
- R = Right Face
- L = Left Face
- D = Down Face
- B = Back face
Face layers for Dodecahedron:
- F = Front Face
- f = Front Spare Face
- U = Upper Face
- u = Upper Spare Face
- R = Right Face
- r = Right Spare Face
- L = Left Face
- l = Left Spare Face
- D = Down Face
- d = Down Spare Face
- B = Back face
- b = Back Spare Face
Each turn notation begins with a face letter.
If only the face layer is turned to the next position clockwise, then no more markings are necessary.
Otherwise, if only the face layer moves to some other position, then one symbol is added.
And, if any layer other than or in addition to the face layer moves to any new position, then a symbol is added for every potential layer that could move in parallel with the face layer.
- blank = 1 position clockwise (in a face only turn)
- + = 1 position clockwise (in a multilayer turn)
- 2 = 2 positions clockwise
- 3 = 3 positions clockwise (used in puzzles with 5 edges per face)
- ' = last position clockwise (or 1 position counterclockwise)
- @ = doesn't move
Therefore the 3x3x3 U (headlights) algorithm R L U2 R' U' R U' R' L' U2 L U L' U would instead be written as...
R+@' U2 R' U' R U' R'@+ U2 L U L' U
To rotate the whole puzzle, simply repeat the same symbol for each layer.
R+++ = rotate puzzle clockwise one position relative to R face B222 = rotate puzzle 2 positions clockwise relative to back face
