====================================================================== ====================================================================== CurveExpert 1.1: A comprehensive curve fitting system for Windows Copyright (c) 1995 Daniel Hyams All Rights Reserved. ====================================================================== ====================================================================== INTRODUCTION ====================================================================== Thank you for your interest in CurveExpert 1.1! CurveExpert 1.1 is a comprehensive curve fitting system for Windows. XY data can be modelled using a toolbox of linear regression models, nonlinear regression models, interpolation, or splines. Over 30 models are built-in, but custom regression models may also be defined by the user. Full-featured graphing capability allows thorough examination of the curve fit. The process of finding the best fit can be automated by letting CurveExpert compare your data to each model to choose the best curve. This program was designed to be simple but powerful, so that all users can obtain a model for their data quickly and easily. Documentation is provided in the form of a Windows help file. This on-line manual is complete and does not need the supplement of a printed copy. This way, we conserve our Earth's valuable resources while at the same time reducing the cost of this software. For the information on the latest features of CurveExpert, visit the CurveExpert home page at ===> http://www.eng.clemson.edu/~dhyams/CurveExpert.html <=== CurveExpert is Windows 95 compatible! This software package is ShareWare. INSTALLATION ====================================================================== If you obtained this program from an Internet source, you must first unzip CVXPTxxx.ZIP (using PkUnzip or WinZip -- if you don't have this, go back to your ftp site and pick it up) to unpack all of the distribution files. Note that the xxx denotes the version number of CurveExpert that you have obtained (eg. version 1.11 will be cvxpt111.zip). From the Program Manager, File Manager, or your particular shell, select File|Run and run the INSTALL.EXE program that was included in your CurveExpert distribution. The installation program will ask you where to install this software and give the space requirements required. Also, you may give your name and company. The rest of the process is automated -- CurveExpert will install itself onto your computer in the location you specified and will make its own Program Manager group. Should you ever want to uninstall CurveExpert, simply double-click on the UnInstall icon in the CurveExpert program manager group. LEGAL MATTERS ====================================================================== Read the Disclaimer Warranty section in the included help file. Using CurveExpert 1.1 means that you agree to all terms stated in the disclaimer. CurveExpert is Shareware. You are hereby granted license to use CurveExpert 1.1 for an evaluation period of 30 days, after which you must pay the registration fee to continue using CurveExpert 1.1. However, use of CurveExpert during the 30-day evaluation period is free of charge. You may make exact copies and distribute these copies of the Evaluation version of CurveExpert 1.1 and its documentation as long the only charge applied, if there is a charge applied, is for the distribution of these unmodified copies of CurveExpert. You are specifically prohibited from charging or requesting donations for ANY and ALL copies of CurveExpert or its documentation. You are prohibited from distributing CurveExpert or any portion of CurveExpert or its documentation as part of another product (commercial or otherwise) without PRIOR expressed written consent from me personally. FEATURES ====================================================================== + Over 30 distinct data models to choose from, along with over 15 additional models provided as user-defined models + User-defined models allow you to input, design, and manage your own regression functions with up to 19 parameters + Toolbox of fitting techniques includes linear/nonlinear regression and many types of interpolation/spline fitting. + Uses the Marquardt-Levenberg algorithm for quick and robust nonlinear regression performance. + Unlimited number of data points + As curvefits are applied, a ranking chart keeps track of the best to worst models + CurveFinder examines every possible regression model for your data set and returns the best one + Full-featured graphing capability with customizable, dynamic graphs gives immediate feedback on curvefit quality + User has the ability to terminate a computation at any time + Customizable plots can be copied directly to the clipboard for use in another Windows application + Easy-to-use point-and-click interface + Reads simple ASCII data files and can ignore comments or text in the file + Data set can be scaled, translated, sorted, the outliers removed, edited by hand similarly to a spreadsheet + Analysis tools allow the location of exact points on the curve fit as well as differentiation and integration of any model. + Full featured toolbar and status bar increase your productivity WHAT'S NEW ====================================================================== See the HISTORY.TXT file for all of the latest additions and bug fixes. ---- Daniel Hyams, author of CurveExpert 1.1 email: dhyams@eng.clemson.edu phone w/ voice mail: (803) 639-4722 FAX: (803) 639-4722 US mail: 911 Madden Bridge Road Central, SC 29630