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.
Face Layers for Cubes:
- F = Front Face
- U = Upper Face
- R = Right Face
- L = Left Face
- D = Down Face
- B = Back face
Each turn notation begins with a face letter.
If only the face layer moves, and it 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...
- blank = 1 position clockwise
- 2 = 2 positions clockwise
- 3 = 3 positions clockwise
- 4 = 4 positions clockwise
- 5 = 5 positions clockwise
- etc.
- ' = last position clockwise
- @ = doesn't move
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.
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
