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PlantStudio Kurtz-Fernhout Software
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Changing non-numeric options for breeding

Blending and mutating numeric parameters is straightforward. But non-numeric parameters (yes/no parameters, lists of choices, colors and 3D objects) complicate the picture. If there is only one parent, non-numeric parameters are not important -- you just copy the parameter from the parent. But what do you do if there are two parents, and the first parent says "yes" and the second parent says "no"?

Several possibilities exist to decide which parent will contribute its non-numeric value. You can:
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Ignore the second parent.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Ignore the first parent.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Flip a coin.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Get the value from the parent with the higher weight, as specified in the blending options. But if you choose this option, what happens if the weightings are equal, 50/50? Here again you have three choices.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Ignore the second parent.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Ignore the first parent.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Flip a coin.

To choose one of these non-numeric options,
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif
Choose Custom from the breeder Variation menu.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Click the Non-numeric tab.
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif Click one of the radio buttons that correspond to these choices.

How this works with the breeder Variation menu:
gif/plantstudio00090000.gif
This choice is set to "get from parent with higher weight; if 50/50, choose randomly" for all Variation menu choices except Custom.

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Updated: March 10, 1999. Questions/comments on site to webmaster@kurtz-fernhout.com.
Copyright © 1998, 1999 Paul D. Fernhout & Cynthia F. Kurtz.