37
edits
Changes
no edit summary
= Introduction =
= Introduction =
Kandid is a tool for breeding graphics. In Kandid a population consist of images looking like abstract
Kandid is a tool for breeding graphics. In Kandid a population consists of images looking like abstract
art or geometric patterns. These graphical forms are not drawn by hand.
art or geometric patterns. These graphical forms are not drawn by hand.
Instead new forms can be found using an interactive genetic algorithm.
Instead new forms can be found using an interactive genetic algorithm.
if a graphic is meaningful for the user. The fitness function in
if a graphic is meaningful for the user. The fitness function in
Kandid is replaced by human aesthetic selection. In other words:
Kandid is replaced by human aesthetic selection. In other words:
The user tolds the program which images are 'cool' or never seen
The user tells the program which images are 'cool' or never seen
before.
before.
== Background ==
== Background ==
Darwinian evolution consists of a simple cycle. The most fit entities in a population reproduce. The resulting offspring are a combination of their parents with some random mutations. Some offspring may be improvements over their parents. The most fit of offspring continue to reproduce. In Kandid the definition of fitness comes from the users aesthetic preferences. The program is a working horse presenting the user proposals for new images letting the user the decision which one is preferable. The concept behind Kandid was introduced by Karl Sims 20 years ago. It is a combination of image rendering algorithms, genetic programming and interactive aesthetic selection. Back in 2003 I publish a different version of Kandid based on fractal geometry at http://kandid.sourceforge.net. Kandid for the Sugar desktop is more than a simple port. It is based on different graphic algorithms and allows the user more introspection of how the images are composed.
Darwinian evolution consists of a simple cycle. The most fit entities in a population reproduce. The resulting offspring are a combination of their parents with some random mutations. Some offspring may be improvements over their parents. The most fit of offspring continue to reproduce. In Kandid the definition of fitness comes from the users aesthetic preferences. The program is a working horse presenting the user proposals for new images letting the user the decision which one is preferable. The concept behind Kandid was introduced by Karl Sims 20 years ago. It is a combination of image rendering algorithms, genetic programming and interactive aesthetic selection. Back in 2003 I published a different version of Kandid based on fractal geometry at http://kandid.sourceforge.net. Kandid for the Sugar desktop is more than a simple port. It is based on different graphic algorithms and allows the user more introspection of how the images are composed.
== What you can learn ==
== What you can learn ==
You can consider Kandid as a simulation of evolution. But compared with the evolution of live there are some differences. The first is how fitness is handled. In Kandid it needs a human to select the proposed images. Next issue is the limited range of output. The program can produce lots of color combinations and geometrical shapes. But after using Kandid for a while the style of the images is predictable.
You can consider Kandid as a simulation of evolution. But compared to the evolution of live there are some differences. The first is how fitness is handled. In Kandid a human selects the proposed images. Next issue is the limited range of output. The program can produce lots of color combinations and geometrical shapes. But after using Kandid for a while the style of the images is predictable.
You can use Kandid to improve you aesthetic feeling. Most of the random images are too indifferent. But sometimes you find a surprisingly interesting composition of shapes or a god looking color combination. Maybe you see things you never noticed before.
You can use Kandid to improve you aesthetic feeling. Most of the random images are too indifferent. But sometimes you find a surprisingly interesting composition of shapes or a god looking color combination. Maybe you see things you never noticed before.
You can use Kandid to get in touch with art made by machines. Ore more precisely: Art made by humans trying to control a generative random process. You can see the success and the limits of this algorithmic approach for making art.
You can use Kandid to get in touch with art made by machines. Or more precisely: Art made by humans trying to control a generative random process. You can see the success and the limits of this algorithmic approach for making art.
Kandid is also about complexity. Ever single image produced by Kandid is made of simple shapes and color schemata. But combining these parts will result in a complex looking image. The result is more than simply summing up the details.
Kandid is also about complexity. Every single image produced by Kandid is made of simple shapes and color schemata. But combining these parts will result in a complex looking image. The result is more than simply summing up the details.