How to Make a Weaving Path Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 29th type of maze construction is the Weaving Path maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every example will use the sample basic outline (the state of Ohio) to better illustrate the differences between each maze type. I have 2 different step by steps for this maze type depending on how you want the maze to look.

Weaving Paths Maze - A Maze WHERE paths are allowed to weave around each other creating an extra plane for the maze solver to work in.

How to Make a Weaving Path Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Outline (optional)

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. It can be anything from a simple shape like a square, to a complex picture. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio. For this type of maze the outline is optional because the outline can be created by the actual paths.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.

Step 2 - Start Drawing the Pathways

While most mazes are built by individual walls, in a weaving maze you design a pathway by virtue of the parallel walls you are drawing. A weaving pattern is achieved by controlling the direction of paths rather than the building of walls. Subtle, but important to understand. In the example below I start from the entrance and begin making pathways in multiple directions, leaving gaps along the way to later cross over and weave thru.

There are a few rules to follow when making weaving pathways. Never end a pathway underneath another path. Never split a pathway or make it change directions under another pathway. Dead ends should always happen in open spaces to avoid confusion. Basically if you have a pathway weaving under another pathway do not get fancy - make it intuitive where it comes out the other side !

Step 3 - Complete the Maze

Continue drawing pathways until you have filled the outline and created a pathway that reaches the maze goal.

Step 4 - (Optional) Add Arrow Help (or shadows)

If you believe the final version of the Weaving path maze you have made has paths that might confuse the solver you have the option to add arrows at any dimensional intersection to clarify the path can be taken. As you can see below the arrows are dual-sided to prevent hinting the correct solution path. You could use one way arrows, which will change the thought process of the solver, giving them hints on the correct paths to take. It is also possible to add small shadows on any path going under another path at the intersection (best seen in my Pipes Maze example)

Step 5 - Draw the Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in red, with alternative solutions in pink and aqua). In my example there are 3 possible solutions. I should have made a more difficult maze.

Additional Weaving Maze Examples

Explore the 10 different types of weaving maze styes, including pipes mazes and the 2 below and see which you prefer:

What is Your Preferred Weaving Maze Style ?

The below example of a weaving path maze is a more conventional weaving path maze with no outline and the extra paths make it more difficult to solve. This also uses square corners.

And another example of a Weaving Paths maze. This one also has no border, but has a point-to-point structure with weaving paths. A Weaving path can look many different ways, with the consistent portion being the ability to solve using another plane. This construction would have a different step by step, but have the same general rules. A quick step by step could be - draw a collection of spaced dots, connect them with pathways (including weaving pathways).

I also created a method to help create a complicated weaving maze that I found very helpful when making this maze type for adults:

Creating a complicated Weaving Maze - an updated method

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

How to Make a 3-D Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 28th type of maze construction is the 3-D maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every example will use the sample basic outline (the state of Ohio) to better illustrate the differences between each maze type.

3-D Maze (on paper, not in a modeling program) - A maze that uses layers and colors to create a 3-D look. Different than a Depth maze in that it uses multiple colors to create “shadows” for the different layered sides and it completes the corners.

HOW TO MAKE A 3D (LOOKING) MAZE

As I mentioned above this is how to make a 3D looking maze on a piece of paper or a screen, NOT how to make a 3D model of a maze using a program meant for that.

• Step 1 - Draw a Maze

Draw any type of maze that has wide pathways (they work best when making depth and 3-D mazes). For help making a maze check out any of my “How to Make _____ Maze” posts. For my example I used a very easy Standard Path maze (I might even consider it a Kids maze). While there is a start and goal to this maze I complete them later.

• Step 2 - Shift the Maze in a New Color

Copy the maze into a new contrasting color and shift it slightly in two directions. I chose red and shifting to the NE.

• Step 3 - Fix the Corners

Create a dimensional effect by filling in the corners of the back layer and connecting them to the corner of the front layer. This is done in the color of the back layer.

• Step 4 - Make the Start and Goal

Cut through the outline to create the start and goal ensuring there is enough for the solver to move through. Also complete any corner walls needed by the changes you made. In my example the exit is not quite correct. Can you find the mistake ?

• Step 5 - Change One Directional Color

Using a contrasting color choose one of the directions and color it. This will give the maze 3 different coloration’s, one for the top layer, and two for the back layer. In my example I used aqua to contrast with the red and black. I also fixed the exit issue from Step 5.

• Step 6 - Draw the Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in lime).

An Additional 3D Maze example

In this example of a 3-D maze you can see how a grid construction looks as a 3-D maze. Using a grid is more work to create, but the result is worth the effort.

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

How to Make a Pattern Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 27th type of maze construction is the Pattern maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every example will use the sample basic outline (the state of Ohio) to better illustrate the differences between each maze type.

Pattern Maze - A Maze that uses a common pattern to create the walls and paths. Examples are a Greek Key, Plaid, Hounds-tooth, Herringbone or Argyle.

How to Make a Pattern Maze

Before we dive into the step by step of making a pattern maze I want to acknowledge that this how to was done for traditional patterns. You may also use a Draw and Cut construction to make a version of these mazes. I will show a few examples that use that method in my additional examples section.

Step 1 - Draw the Outline (if needed)

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. It can be anything from a simple shape like a square, to a complex picture. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.

Step 2 - Draw the Pattern

This seems like a large step and it is. There are hundreds of possible patterns that can be used. Pick a pattern that fits your outline and can be used as a maze. For my example I went with the Argyle pattern and chose to use the white lines in the pattern as the pathways. I also adjusted the start and goal arrows to match the pattern.

Step 3 - Create Walls or Pathways

Create walls or pathways using the pattern. For my example I cut barriers into the lines to block some pathways.

Step 4 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in green).

Additional Pattern Maze Examples

Probably the best example of a pattern maze is the Greek Key pattern below. The Greek Key pattern is seen in labyrinths and maze designs naturally, so making slight changes to create a maze makes sense. The great part about this maze is it is very easy to hide the openings in pathways.

Another example of a pattern maze is this Camouflage Maze, where the solver travels on a base green color that is established at the entrance of the maze. The making of this maze would not fit well with the instructions above. Here I drew the camo patterns and then adjusted the camo to create walls.

And my third example uses the draw and cut construction method to create the pattern maze. Here the pattern is in black and white and i used white pathways to cut through the pattern and create a maze.

Back to a more traditional pattern, a Hound's-tooth Maze. If you take a step back and do not see the arrows you would have no idea this is a maze.

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.

How to Make a Free Drawn Maze

In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 26th type of maze construction is the Free Drawn maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every example will use the sample basic outline (the state of Ohio) to better illustrate the differences between each maze type.

Free Drawn Mazes - A maze where the walls are drawn by hand, or without a geometric structure.

How to Make a Free Drawn Maze

Step 1 - Draw the Outline

The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. It can be anything from a simple shape like a square, to a complex picture. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio.

Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal

For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.

Step 2 - Start Drawing the Walls

Starting from entrance, begin drawing walls. In a free drawn maze the walls are hand drawn (or if done digitally without any specific geometric shape). Remember to keep an open pathway for solving at all times.

Continue drawing walls.

Step 3 - Complete the Maze

Draw the necessary walls to make the final pathways and complete the maze.

Step 4 - Make the Maze Solution

Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final maze solution (shown here in red).

Additional Free Drawn Maze Examples

Two good examples of using free drawn lines to construct mazes are the Bacon maze and the Crushed Can maze. The structure of each object made the choice of construction easy.

Another good example of a free drawn maze is this Vegetables Maze, which features a maze thru the lettuce. The construction really works well with the shape of the leaves.

My next example is another food maze (if you make a food maze maybe consider free drawing it?). This Garlic Maze uses free drawn lines to accentuate the rounded shape.

Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.

If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.