Sol Robots (http://www.solrobots.com) has released Crossword Forge 7.0, an upgrade to the classroom crossword and word search puzzle generator. It’s compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 (“Lion”) and sports speed enhancements.

It also touts refined features including: new user controlled softwaresettings that allow for better and more complete solutions to cryptic crosswords; Quick Look support for the Mac; and a newly refined “Word Ideas” window. Word Ideas helps you find new words to add to your puzzle. With version 7, Crossword Forge allows you to do this in five major languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) and four varieties of English (American, Australian, British, Canadian).

Crossword Forge 7 is now available at the Sol Robots web site and will soon be available at the Mac App Store. It costs US$49.95 for new users. Upgrdes from version 6.x are $14.95 and upgrades from version 5.x are $34.95. Licenses bought between September 2008 and May 2011 will continue to work with Crossword Forge 7 without the need of purchasing a new license.