In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 6th example with look at an Axonometric maze construction. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every how-to will use a simple square so you can compare the differences between each maze construction type. I will also show a consolidated secondary how-to using an irregular shape (the state of Ohio).
Here is an outline for this blog post with jump links if you want to skip ahead to a section.
AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE DEFINITION
HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC MAZE
HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape
MORE EXAMPLES OF AXONOMETRIC MAZES
MAKING OF AN AXONOMETRIC MAZE VIDEO
AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE DEFINITION:
Axonometric Grid Maze - This is a maze made using an axonometric grid. Typically these grids are used to draw 3 dimensional representations of objects like a cube. But, for maze making this just means drawing walls at the angle of the axonometric grid.
THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN:
These 5 rules apply to any maze you make so we start with them !
1. Always keep an open pathway for the solution
While drawing a maze you will need to juggle multiple open pathways each of which could become the solution. One of them will become the solution. Keep track of it. This is especially important if you are designing pathways in both directions (from the start and from the goal).
2. Clearly mark the start and goal, or the objective of the maze
A maze should have a start and a goal that you can assess just by glancing at it. There are many ways to start and end a maze I review in this blog post: Options for Starting and Ending a Maze
3. Ensure the difficulty matches the intended audience
Most people want to solve a puzzle/maze that is just slightly below or slightly above their skill level. Many things help determine the difficulty of a maze. Size, number of branches, the length of dead ends, the number of choices, the complexity of the rules (if the maze has them).
4. Ensure your maze has a solution
When your maze is complete, solve it to determine the difficulty level and to ensure it is a real, solvable maze. Depending on the complexity of the maze you may want to do this right away or wait so you can properly assess the difficulty.
5. Explain anything that needs explaining
Some mazes have rules or conditions. Explain them with directions. If it isn't obvious, make it so.
How to Make an Axonometric Maze
Step 1 - Determine your grid shape
When making a regular grid maze you are choosing the size of the grid boxes you will use. So a 20x20 grid is larger than a 10x10 grid. When choosing an axonometric grid you may choose the size, but more importantly is choosing the angles of the grid you will be using see the 3 examples below. The first grid uses angles of 20 degrees, the second 30 degrees, and the last 45 degrees (making essentially regular grids tilted at a 45 degree angle). My program defaults to 30 x 30 unless I change it and seems to work well for almost everything.
20 x 20 Grid
30 x 30 Grid
45 x 45 grid
Step 2 - 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.
Step 2.5 - Choose the Start and Goal
For the below example I used START and GOAL written in the maze, but I added them later. Here is the outline shown on the grid:
And because this is a cube shape I added the internal walls with gaps for the maze to go pass through:
Step 3 - Start Drawing the Walls
Using the axonometric grid pattern, begin drawing the maze walls starting at the entrance of the maze. Be careful to never close all open paths so the maze can be solved. As you make the maze decide how difficult you want to make it.
Step 4 - Complete the Maze
Draw the final walls and draw the exit. You have completed the drawing of an Axonometric maze !
I added an additional step to delete the grids to see the final maze.
Step 5 (Optional) - Draw the Solution
While the correct pathway is fresh in your mind, draw the solution to the maze. This is especially important with more complex mazes. It can also be a check to make sure your maze has a solution and helps you determine how difficult it is.
HOW TO MAKE AN AXONOMETRIC GRID MAZE - abbreviated writing & using a different shape
Step 1 - Draw the Outline - Ohio in this example
Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal
Step 2 - Determine your grid shape (not shown here - see above)
Step 3 - Start Drawing the Walls
Step 4 - Keep Drawing Walls
Step 5 - Complete the Maze
Step 6 (Optional) - Draw the Solution
This is an example of a maze that uses the axonometric grid, but it is forced…ideally you use it on mazes where drawing a 3d shape on paper is important. It is usable but not ideal for Ohio,
MORE EXAMPLES OF AXONOMETRIC MAZES:
The Stairs maze naturally works as it helps to give the maze dimension. Notice how the direction of the walls is consistent with the plane of the object to help give it the dimensional look. The Lemon Meringue Pie maze uses the construction to draw the maze at the proper angle to the picture. And of course, where the construction really shines is on the Cube Maze !
Stairs Maze
Lemon Meringue Pie Maze
Cube Maze
A very important design note not covered in the step by step above is to follow the direction of the object when making your pathways. This will give your object dimension and make for a better looking maze. Both of the below cubes were made using an Axo grid, but the one on the left follows the direction and flow of the object while the one on the right does not. Personally I think the example on the left is a much better maze. Imagine the Steps maze above if it did not use the objects flow to make the pathways.
Axonometric grids also serve as the base for geometric mazes that aren’t square or rectangular, like this example of a Hexagon maze. However, I do not consider this a pure axonometric maze, but instead an Escape Maze !
And sometimes the shape of the item lends itself to grid that is tilted at an angle. I really like this Kazoo Maze. How many kazoo mazes have you seen before ?
AXONOMETRIC MAZE TEMPLATE
This free downloadable template will help you make your own version.
Making of an Axonometric Maze Video
Watch this quick video to get a sense of how an Axonometric Cube maze is made.
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.