Remove the solution path from the machine output before engraving a generated maze. Keep the walls, entrance and exit, and inspect the exported layers individually. A hidden-looking answer on the canvas may still be assigned to an enabled engraving operation.
The Atomm Maze Maker separates different kinds of lines, including the answer, into colors for export. That is useful organization, but colors do not decide which paths an A1 Mini should process. You must map each imported layer to its intended job.
Make a puzzle copy and an answer copy
Keep the original generated file untouched. Create one file for the puzzle and another clearly named answer file for checking the route. In the puzzle file, remove the solution path or place it on an explicitly non-output layer. Do not rely on the stroke being pale, thin or underneath another object.
Use a printed proof to walk from entrance to exit with a pencil. Check that the unengraved passage is wide enough to follow at the finished size. This is a flat visual puzzle, not a routed track for a ball; converting it into a physical toy would require a separate design and assessment.
| Imported feature | A1 Mini output decision | Proof check |
|---|---|---|
| Maze walls | Engrave with a tested wood process | Continuous walls where intended |
| Answer path | Exclude from the gift | Absent in output preview |
| Outer border | Engrave or omit on a precut blank | Not accidentally assigned a through-cut |
| Entrance and exit | Preserve their openings | Route connects both ends |
Inspect the simulated job one operation at a time
Preview the actual output, including the first and last operations. If a diagonal line runs through the puzzle, locate the source object instead of assuming it is a travel move. Check the preview legend and processing order. Save, close and reopen the puzzle file, then preview again to confirm the intended output state was retained.
If an imported layer is connected to a material library, understand Assign versus Link before experimenting with the library entry. Setting provenance and whether a layer is enabled are separate things to inspect.
The A1 Mini has a listed 120 × 130 mm work area. Fit the entire layout and any required operating clearance within the usable setup; a maze squeezed to the boundary leaves little room for a border or placement error. Use known, supplier-approved wood and verify small wall detail on a spare. Buying a precut plaque avoids making through-cutting part of this first puzzle.
Why does the answer still appear when I hide its color?
Canvas visibility and machine output are not always the same control. Inspect the layer's output setting and then the actual job preview. Remove the answer geometry from the puzzle copy if its purpose remains uncertain.
Can I print the solution for the recipient separately?
Yes. Keep it in the answer file and label the printed sheet. If paper or PDF output is unexpectedly empty, check the print-proof workflow without changing the accepted machine file.