Faster
Performance
Evolver 4.0 is on average 20x faster than previous versions (with
new, optimized C language code). Some models run up to 100x
faster!
Available in Three Versions
The Standard version can solve problems with up to 80 variables,
the Professional version supports up to 250 variables, and the Industrial
version supports an unlimited number of variables. In addition,
the Professional and Industrial versions include the Evolver Developers
Kit and auto-mutation rate adjustment.
32-bit Processing
True 32-bit processing under Excel 7 and higher (95, 97, and 2000)
increases performance and allows Evolver 4.0 to handle larger models
more efficiently. The Evolver Developers Kit includes 32-bit
code for developers to access in their custom applications.
Improved Interface
The Evolver 4.0 toolbar is now a true Excel toolbar. Dialog boxes
have been redesigned to show more useful information and to reduce
the number of levels necessary to access information. The Evolver
WatcherTM interface has also been revised, making it
easier to use.
Constraints
Users can enter any number of hard and soft constraints directly,
either in a simple format similar to Excels built-in Solver
or as complex formulas. In earlier versions, constraints had to
be embedded in the users worksheet. These are now easily accessible
when defining a model.
Workbooks and Disjoint Ranges
Evolver 4.0 supports problems spanning multiple sheets of an Excel
workbook and allows the user to define variable and constraint cells
in disjoint ranges.
VBA Macros
A macro language allows users to control Evolver within Excel using
VBA. Evolver 4.0 can also run VBA macros every optimization iteration
it performs. (Professional and Industrial
versions only)
Auto-Mutation Rates
Professional and Industrial versions feature auto-mutation rate
adjustment. The mutation rate determines the amount of randomness
Evolver uses when generating new solutions. Evolver 4.0 monitors
its progress toward an optimal solution and adjusts the mutation
rate appropriately.
Selectable Genetic Operators
Professional and Industrial versions allow users to select from
a variety of available genetic operators, including heuristic crossover,
extinction, boundary mutations, local search, and others. Using
a powerful auto-operator feature, Evolver can test all available
operators and identify the best-performing one for a specific model.
Evolver Watcher
The Evolver Watcher searches for all Evolver activity, whether it
is being called from Excel or from custom application, and allows
the user to change the algorithm parameters, explore the population,
and display graphs, charts, and complete reports on the status of
the problem.
Evolver Developer's Kit
Developers can write custom Windows applications that access Evolver
through the Evolver Development Kit (included with Evolver Professional
and Industrial).
