9 Tips for Solving Difficult 3D Puzzles

As we’ve unveiled in one of our previous posts, 3D puzzles come in various shapes, forms, and difficulty levels. And, if you’re about to try and solve one of the hardest ones out there, you’ll need a sound and solid system and a strategy.

In fact, many devoted 3D puzzle solvers would say that developing your own approach is one of the greatest joys of playing a mentally-stimulating game.

So, to help you find inspiration and make your puzzle-solving life easier (and certainly more methodical), we’ve prepared the following 9 practical tips you can incorporate into your strategy from day 1:

1. Understand that different types of puzzles call for a different problem-solving approach

Yes, they’re all designed to tickle your brain, but the methodology and approach required to solve them can vary substantially. Unlike jigsaw puzzles, 3D puzzles require you to possess a greater deal of spatial awareness - after all, you’ll be putting together buildings and complex structures.

They may even have certain mechanical components to them that often require twisting and manipulating to find the right angle. Or, they may even have some clues sprinkled in so you’re going to need to play detective to find a sequence that leads you down the right path.

2. Start with what you know to be true

For instance, jigsaw puzzles often reward those who start with the frame and work their way inwards. 3D puzzles tend to reward those who follow a similar approach; except this time, you’d do well to start with the base first. Assemble the borders and see what naturally follows from there.

So in other words, let’s say you were building a building-like structure. Just like when building the real thing, you probably wouldn’t start with the roof. So lay the foundation and the next logical step might reveal itself to you sooner rather than later.

3. Bigger problems are more manageable in smaller chunks

In other words, don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you try to solve the whole thing in one go, you’re probably going to run into obstacles that seem insurmountable. Instead, what you should be doing is focusing your efforts on smaller chunks. And, above all, doing things one step at a time.

In psychology, this is referred to as chunking. The idea is to make complex tasks more manageable by tackling them step-by-step. It’s a clever way to trick your own brain into not feeling so intimidated by the obstacle ahead. And, as you progress, you’ll be stacking up those small wins in no time. Divide and conquer!

4. Sort the pieces on the table

Stumbling where to go next? Perhaps the issue is not having a clear perception of what pieces you have available to work with. The solution is to systematically sort the pieces on the table by shape, color, size, or however it makes more sense to you.

By doing this, you will speed up the assembly process, since a systematized approach like this makes it easier to see a way to connect A with B. Moreover, it will help you separate the pieces that might look similar, but in actuality, have different nooks and crannies.

5. Take breaks periodically

But how is taking breaks actually going to help you solve the puzzle, may you ask? The thing is, even while you’re physically not working on the problem, your brain is still processing it in the background. Have you heard how detectives and programmers often arrive at an answer seemingly out of nowhere in the shower or somewhere completely random? That’s exactly it.

Sometimes, trying to force yourself to crack a problem is not the most productive thing to do. Even something minuscule like 15 minutes away from the table can unstuck your mind. Even if the solution doesn’t magically appear before you while you’re away from the table, you’ll be able to sit back with a clean slate.

6. Visualize the end result in your mind and work backwards

Sometimes, losing the path before you is a direct result of not visualizing where you’re supposed to be headed. But once you take that important step forward by imagining the structure in its finalized form, it all comes down to working in layers that make it whole.

This builds upon one of the previous points made above - overcoming the obstacles in smaller chunks. Also, by organizing the individual pieces on the table (ideally, before even starting), deconstructing the whole and seeing where it all fits together might be even smoother.

7. Work in a suitable environment

As you might already be aware of, puzzles (and 3D puzzles in particular) involve a plethora of tiny pieces. If you can’t even see them all properly, how are you going to assemble them? Don’t put unnecessary strain on your eyesight and ensure that the area you’re working in gets plenty of sunlight. Either that, or get a good lamp.

By being able to see the pieces better, you’ll also get to have a better experience overall and possibly arrive at a solution that much quicker. This is because your eyes will be able to pick up on patterns that you might have otherwise missed. Also, make sure that the surface you’re working on is clean and without clutter that might get in the way.

8. Don’t forget to follow directions and guidelines

Did you know that certain 3D puzzles come with directions? These are much more than a colorful sheet of paper, as they’ll help guide you towards the solution or at least provide some helpful hints along the way.

If the puzzle you’re attempting to solve is particularly challenging, reading the guidelines is virtually a must. Oftentimes, they’ll mark crucial steps you need to take in a strictly predefined order, etc.

9. Make sure you’re using the right tools

While certain 3D puzzles don’t require any specialized tools to solve, others are quite specific about it. Without them, you might find the process unnecessarily difficult or even frustrating, possibly even causing you to bend the pieces out of frustration.

The takeaway is, be gentle. If you find yourself applying too much force at a certain point, chances are you’re missing a vital tool such as tweezers, a screwdriver etc. The good news is, these often come bundled with your purchase, with Mostarle 3D puzzles being just one example of a brand that does this.

Conclusion

Unless you’re an experienced puzzle-solver, assembling a 3D puzzle with higher difficulty is going to take a while, so patience is key. If you’re completely new to this, it wouldn’t hurt to start with a 3D puzzle with a more manageable difficulty.

Once you’re ready to play with the big boys, the tips we’ve shared above should come in handy. Stay patient and don’t forget to take things one step at a time!