Overview
The Face-Turning Octahedron (FTO) is a fascinating and unusual puzzle that may appear difficult at first, but it gets much simpler once you figure it out. The FTO doesn't require any prior cubing knowledge, unlike a Rubik's Cube, though it can be beneficial to know some basic puzzle-solving strategies.
Getting Started
The FTO is a reasonably priced puzzle that is available at Cubelelo if you would like to give it a try.
We'll use a straightforward five-step procedure to solve the FTO:
1. Solve the white face, omitting the corners
2. Work out two "triples"
3. Complete the remaining three centers.
4. Complete the final white corner.
5. Finish the last three corners and triples.
A Triple: What Is It?
A "triple" is a corner piece and the two triangle pieces next to it.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Step 1: Solving the White Face
The initial goal is to solve the white face without the corners. There are two kinds of white pieces:
- Edge pieces: those that are adjacent to another color
- Triangle pieces: pieces in a single color
Prior to placement, edges should ideally be paired adjacent to triangles. Although it uses a methodology similar to solving 4x4 centers, the procedure is reasonably intuitive. Once all the white pieces are in their right places, you can move on to the next phase. Make sure that the red, blue, and purple edges are in the same order as in the photo!
Step 2: Figure out two "triples."
Now we will work on making and placing two triples.
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Choose a white corner to work with, and then find the triangle pieces that match the colors of the two sides next to it.
- Move and line up the triangles so they touch the corner to make a whole triple.
- As you put the triple in the right place, make sure the parts that were already solved don't move.
Step 3: Solving the Remaining Centers
You need to solve the last three centers (orange, gray, and green) now.
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For this phase, you simply need to move the top, side, and middle slices. This is like the Yau approach for 4x4.
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As you solve each center, ensure the triangle and edge pieces are in the right place and that you don't lose any of your work.
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Before you go on, make sure the colors match the color scheme. This is very crucial for the right alignment.
Step 4: Solving the Last White Corner
After the centers are done, the remaining white corner needs to be solved.
- Find the corner and put it above where it should be.
- To make a triple, use all the pieces of the right triangle to put it together.
- The hedgeslammer (F R' F' R) and sledgehammer (R' F R F') algorithms will let you change directions when you need to.
Step 5: Solving the Last Corners And Triples
Right now, there are just three triples and the rest of the corners. This part is quite similar to the stages for putting in three objects at once:
- Use the sledgehammer and hedgeslammer algorithms to flip the pieces over and put them in the right order.
- Put the triples in the right places after you've made them all right.
- For the corners on the last layer, follow the beginner's method.
Final Thoughts
The FTO puzzle is becoming more and more well-known. Perhaps one day it will even be recognized as a WCA puzzle!
FAQs
1. Before I try the FTO, do I need to know how to solve a Rubik's Cube?
A : No way. The FTO is not the same as a regular Rubik's Cube, and you don't need to know how to cube before you try it. But if you know what edges, centers, and corners are, you'll learn it faster.
2. What is a "triple" in the FTO?
A : A "triple" is a group of three pieces that are connected: one corner piece and two triangle pieces next to it. These triples can only be solved together in a certain way because of the FTO's structure.
3. Why are corners skipped while solving the white face?
A : The white face is solved excluding corners because corners are inserted later using triples. Solving them too early can undo your progress when solving the centers.
4. What are the sledgehammer and hedgeslammer algorithms?
A : These are easy 4-move sequences that are utilized in the FTO to move or rotate pieces:
- R' F R F' for Sledgehammer
- Hedgeslammer: F R' F' R
They help you change the direction of triples or corners without messing up the solved parts.
5. I messed up in the middle of solving. Do I have to begin again?
A: Not usually. You can often go back and fix the step where you made the mistake. It gets easier to get back from mistakes as you practice.
6. How long does it take to learn how to solve the FTO?
A: You can learn the basics in a few hours with a video guide and some focused practice. With practice, a lot of solvers can solve it in less than 10–15 minutes.
After you've learned how to solve the FTO using this video, feel free to use this blog as a guide: Watch tutorial.
Happy cubing!
