This applet lets you explore grid-tiling with different sets of polyominoes
(such as the tetris pieces, a.k.a. tetrominoes). Using whatever set of
polyominoes you specify, and whatever grid-shape you create, it uses a
moderately-optimized search algorithm to try to find a way to tile the grid
with the specified polyominoes.
It has all of the dominoes, triominoes, tetrominoes, pentominoes, hexominoes, and heptominoes.
The grid can be wrapped around either or both axes (which can be used to create
seamless repeating tile patterns).
If you create a grid or a tiling that you want to save, there are a couple options.
You can simply download an image (with the "Download Image" box), or save the
grid/tiling permanently on the server (with the "Persistence" box). In the latter
case, links are provided both to restore the grid/tiling/configuration in this explorer, and
also to permanent image files (which can be used, e.g., for sharing and embedding).