This code solves the Rubik's cube thanks to group theory. It also comes with a 3D graphical implementation of the cube using PyOpenGL.
Just run mvts.py using python:
$ python mvts.py
When a window with a Rubik's cube pops up you may control it by using your keyboard. In particular you can:
- Change the camera point of view by using the arrow keys
- Randomly move the cube by pressing the a key
- Solve the cube by pressing the s key (it might take several seconds)
- Move the front face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the F (resp. f) key
- Move the back face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the B (resp. b) key
- Move the right face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the R (resp. r) key
- Move the left face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the L (resp. l) key
- Move the upper face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the U (resp. u) key
- Move the downer face in the clockwise (respectively counterclockwise) direction when pressing the D (resp. d) key
- quit and close the window by pressing the q or esc key
This code depends on Python, NumPy, SciPy and PyOpenGL and has been tested on Linux with the following versions:
- Python 2.7, NumPy 1.6, SciPy 0.14, PyOpenGL 3.0.1
but there is no reason it shouldn't work on Windows or Mac OS X.
If you find any bugs file them on the issue tracker.
Except the dependencies, there is nothing to install.
The mathematics behind the algorithm that we use in this code are greatly inspired by Janet Chen course notes "Group Theory and the Rubik's cube" [1] even though there are some differences in the way orientations of cubies are described.
| [1] | Janet Chen, "Group Theory and the Rubik's cube", http://www.math.harvard.edu/~jjchen/docs/Group%20Theory%20and%20the%20Rubik%27s%20Cube.pdf |