---
name: "evolver"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "evolver"
version: "2.30c.dfsg-3"
release: "Debian 8 (Jessie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/evolver"
---

# evolver(1)

The Surface Evolver, minimize energy of a surface

## NAME

**evolver**
 – The Surface Evolver, minimize energy of a surface

## SYNOPSIS

\[**-adehimqwxy**\] \[**-f** *file*\] \[**-pN**\] \[*datafile*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The Surface Evolver is a program that minimizes the energy of a triangulated
 surface according to designated energies and constraints.  This man page only
 documents command line options and environment variables.  The full package
 and documentation are available at http://www.susqu.edu/brakke/evolver.

Command line options:

- *datafile*

  Text file defining a surface. If omitted, you will be prompted.

- **-a**

  Autoconvert to named quantities when needed (default is on); use "-a-" to
   deactivate autoconversion.

- **-d**

  Begin with parser debugging on (equivalent to "debug" runtime command).
   Beware of copious output.

- **-e**

  Echo stdin to stdout; meant for testing piped input.

- **-f** *file*

  After loading datafile, read commands from
   *file*,
   then command line prompt.

- **-h**

  Print help for command line options.

- **-i** **-**

  Preserve datafile numbers for element id's, rather than renumbering.

- **-m**

  Begin with memory debugging on (equivalent to "memdebug" runtime command).
   Beware of copious output.

- **-pN**

  Run with N concurrent processes.

- **-q**

  Convert to named quantities at start (equivalent to "convert\_to\_quantities"
   runtime command).

- **-Q**

  Suppress echoing of "read" section of datafile, and other files read in.

- **-w**

  Exit immediately after any warning or error message; meant for batch runs.

- **-x**

  Exit immediately after any error message; meant for batch runs.

- **-y**

  Break to user prompt after any warning message.

## ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

- EVOLVERPATH

  Colon-separated list of paths automatically searched for datafiles, included
   files, or help documentation.

## FURTHER DOCUMENTATION

See manual224.pdf in the Evolver distribution, browse evolver.htm in the 
 doc subdirectory of the distribution, or browse the documentation on-line
 at http://www.susqu.edu/brakke/evolver/html/evolver.htm

## WEBSITE

The Surface Evolver home page is http://www.susqu.edu/brakke/evolver.

## BUGS

Send bug reports to brakke@susqu.edu.  Please include the datafile and 
 exact instructions for reproducing the problem.