Grasshopper
goat
goat is an optimization solver add-on component. It perfectly complements galapagos, David Rutten's evolutionary solver based on a randomized core. goat pursues a mathematical rigorous approach and relies on gradient-free optimization algorithms, delivering fast and deterministic results. At every run, goat will yield the same optimal result.
goat is a drop-in replacement for galapagos. It is based on David Rutten's galapagos GUI and interfaces NLopt, a collection of mathematical optimization libraries.
Tutorials
For getting started with optimization in parametric modelling environments in general and with goat in special, check out our presentation slides on Geometry and Optimization with several comprehensive examples.
Once you are familiar with the basics of optimization, head over to our comprehensive documentation on goat's different configuration options.
Goat 2.1 doubling calculations
Hello,
I have a slight problem with Goat solver repeating the same calculations. No matter which algorithm I use, calculations are doubled or tripled for the same variable number.
And whereas it is hardly recognisable in the normal GH definition, not without the DataRecorder component at least, I use the external FE software and each loop takes some time which basically doubles the summary calculation time for the whole optimisation. This problem occurs even in the tutorials on the Goat website, at least on my system.
Is there a solution or am I missing something in my attempts?
Thanks a lot,
Wojt
Simon Flöry
Hi,
This is by construction. The optimization algorithms need to evaluate the objective many times, including multiple evaluations at the same variables. Neither the core optimization algorithms nor goat perform any kind of caching.
The proper though tricky solution would be to implement some kind of caching (or even a caching GH component ...) - I'll see if there is possible with justifiable effort.
best, simon
Jan 28, 2015