Trilobite 0.9.3
User Guide


© Darwin Arts L.L.C., 2014










Reproduction Mode




This page discusses considerations and practices around breeding Trilobite Patches using the Population Editor Window. Because Reproduction Mode is mostly non-interactive, this section will be more descriptive than instructional.

Topics on this page include:

Fit Genotype Sets
Starting/Stopping Reproduction Mode
Reproduction Mode Active

Fit Genotype Sets

Once auditioning of genotypes within a population is completed, there should be a subset of genotypes within the population with user-selected fitness. These will be represented as genotype icons with green shading.

For best results:

Starting/Stopping Reproduction Mode

To start Reproduction Mode for a population, first make sure that population genotypes have been auditioned and some found to have non-zero fitness. When satisfied with fit genotype selection, set desired population attributes using the Gene Count, Mutation Factor, and Population Size sliders. Finally, click the Fornicate Button. Reproduction will begin immediately.

As reproduction starts, all genotype icons with fitness zero will disappear, and fit genotype icons will float to the upper left-hand corner of the genotype population area even as they begin mating to produce the next generation. The Fornicate Button will be given a blue background.

Reproduction Mode will run until the target population size is reached. This size includes the parent genotypes.

To manually stop Reproduction Mode before the target population size is reached, simply click the Fornicate Button once.

The action of producing a new population from fit genotypes may be undone.



Lost Work Alert!
Note that Trilobite 0.9.3 does not automatically save your population changes or fit genotypes, and that using the Save Button will overwrite the file associated with a loaded population (if any). Use the the save as menu option to create backups of your work at any time.

Reproduction Mode Active

During reproduction mode, genotypes mate two at a time with a frequency directly proportional to their fitness values. This is animated by a yellow line drawn between two genotype icons to indicate mating, with a second line to a third child genotype icon when an internal pre-fitness check indicates a viable offspring worthy of human evaluation:


Note that this animation may occur so quickly on some platforms that it is not visible. The pre-fitness evaluation of genotypes by the internal Evolution Engine works by running translated Renderer Patches at a rate much faster than real time (just how fast depends on the CPU performance of your computer). While this occurs, the Population Synth Panel corresponding to the population is repurposed for this rapid rendering and detached from the audible mix. It's parameter mappings and volume meters will animate quickly as different genotype translations are evaluated, and its Thumbnail Window will rapidly display the patches themselves depending on its patch view mode.

During Reproduction Mode, all editing features which might change the population are disabled.

The breeding statistics are displayed and modified in real time by the internal Evolution during Reproduction Mode.

The Gene Count and Mutation Factor values may be manually modified during Reproduction Mode, but the Population Size remains fixed until reproduction is stopped or complete.







Provide Page Feedback