Evolutionary systems & genetic algorithms

William Latham began working using a genetic approach even before using computers.

William Latham began working using a genetic approach even before using computers.

{{SingleImage|imageWidthPlusTen=460|imageURL=http://www-viz.tamu.edu/courses/viza658/wiki/genetic/12.jpg|caption=Genetic Art Examples}}

{{SingleImage|imageWidthPlusTen=460|imageURL=http://www-viz.tamu.edu/courses/viza658/wiki/genetic/12.jpg|caption=Genetic Art Examples}}

Each gene can be considered a parameter which contributes a dimension to a gene space. The more alike two individuals genes are the closer together they are in gene space.

Each gene can be considered a parameter which contributes a dimension to a gene space. The more alike two individuals genes are the closer together they are in gene space.

   

   

Using evolutionary methods, the artist applies an intuitive fitness function by manually evaluating phenotypes and assigning each a score. As a result the artist steers through the gene space towards an increasingly desirable result. As noted in the example above, attention must be paid to scaling so that the degree of variation is appropriate in each dimension. One approach is to normalize each parameter to values between 0 and 1, apply the variation method, and then re-map the parameter back into its native range.

Using evolutionary methods, the artist applies an intuitive fitness function by manually evaluating phenotypes and assigning each a score. As a result the artist steers through the gene space towards an increasingly desirable result. As noted in the example above, attention must be paid to scaling so that the degree of variation is appropriate in each dimension. One approach is to normalize each parameter to values between 0 and 1, apply the variation method, and then re-map the parameter back into its native range.

The artist typically uses a selective breeding tool to navigate through the gene space. Latham sculpts forms in the sense that a farmer sculpts increasingly healthy crops by developing hybrid seed.

The artist typically uses a selective breeding tool to navigate through the gene space. Latham sculpts forms in the sense that a farmer sculpts increasingly healthy crops by developing hybrid seed.

== Further Evolutionary Art Development by Karl Sims ==

== Further Evolutionary Art Development by Karl Sims ==