CrossFire Version History

Fix for stack-trace error when filling "word-square-like" grids or grid sections.
Fix bug in adding to dictionary while in "Lookup" tab.
Fix bug with corrupted dictionary preferences
Avoid offering clue information when there is no clue file
Fix bug with rebuses when using more than 8 dictionaries
Support easier selection of dictionary files ending in ".txt"
More robust quick-fill.
Fixed problem with display of problem areas when quick-fill fails.
Improved support for European characters in puzzles.
Fixed file-overwrite bug when two copies of CrossFire are open at once.
Fixed missing/moved menu items in Big Sur.
Updated to Java 17 on all platforms
Ensured native Macintosh M1 compatibility.
Bundled Java with Windows installer
Renamed internal classes so all versions refer to "CrossFire" instead of "CrosswordCreator".
Added save-file improvements:
- Better error messages on write failures.
- Fixed "silent failure" on "Quick save".
- Added CMD-SHIFT-s shortcut for "Save as".

Improved grid filling:
- Superior fill quality.
- Multi-core support.
- Tunable speed/quality tradeoff.
OS Support:
- Macintosh: Distributed with a proper installer.
- Macintosh: Auxiliary files placed in standard ("/Library") location.
- Windows: Explicit compatibility with Windows 8 and 10.
- Linux: The same nitty-gritty installation experience you know and love.
Third party puzzle formats:
- support for ipuz import/export.
- improved .jpz import.
- Notepad support for .puz files.
Updated to Java 1.8.
Improved puzzle printing.
Cleaned up default dictionary.
Removed obsolete Java Applet

Ability to specify multiple dictionaries, and quickly change dictionary configurations.
Advanced "Edit word/Add word" dialog features let you choose which dictionary files will be modified and even delete words from files.
Exhaustive search for the "optimal" fill in small corners.
Better interpretation of individual word scores in context.
Optional display of complete sample fills when available.
More precise control over display of "candidate letters" during fill.
Ability to do interactive fill on just selected regions.
Ability to override default merging of accented and non-accented characters.
A new "Show matching words" item in the right click menu.
A "show eliminated candidates" checkbox item in the "Fill" menu.
Several new parameters to the CrossYYYs solving applet let you customize the appearance to a greater degree.
Improved Windows Vista/Windows 7 compatibility.
Efficiency improvements.

Added integrated support for rebuses.
Added support for circles in grid.
Added printing of New York Times submission sheets.
Created an on-line solving applet -- CrossYYYs-applet.jar.
Added ability to select/modify grid while in clue tab.
Added visual indicator to show when grid squares are "focused" for keyboard input.
Significantly improved puzzle layout for printing and export.
Added menu options to hide "Lookup" and "Rebus" tabs if not needed.
Improved grid display, including switch to native font.
Improved tracking of puzzle name/modification status, including title-bar display.
Added ability to add multiple words to the dictionary in one operation.
"Grid" and "Solution" exports now suggest more meaningful filenames.
Requires less memory for large dictionaries.
Performs faster fills (25-50% less time on many typical grids).
Accented characters in the dictionary are now treated like the equivalent non-accented characters.

Improved reliability of fill algorithm by better accounting for the effects of repeated substrings.
Preserved author/title/copyright information across grid changes.
Added notification dialog for file read/write operations.
Added explicit "revert dictionary" menu item rather than handling implicitly through the config dialog.
Sped up saving of dictionaries.
(Macintosh) Fixed bug displaying lists of more than 512 elements. This primarily affected clue display.
(Macintosh) Fixed file browser to allow proper selection of clue database file.