Maya/Python - Generative Patterns

generative_patterns.py

import maya.cmds as mc
import math
import random

def clr():
    """
        helper function that will clear all primitives from the screen
    """
    mc.select(all=True)
    mc.delete()


def sineScale( n, maxRadius ):
    """
        use the sin function to map 'n' spheres scale in size to 'maxRadius'
        and then back down to radius=1
    """
    pos = 0.
    for i in range(n):
        x = i  / float(n)
        r = math.sin( x * math.pi) * maxRadius
        s = mc.polySphere(r=r)
        pos = pos + r
        mc.move( pos, 0. , 0., s[0] )      

        
def powScale( n, maxRadius, power ):
    '''
        use the power function to change the size of 'n' spheres
    '''
    pos = 0.
    for i in range(n):
        x = (i + 1)  / float(n)
        r = math.pow( x, power) * maxRadius
        s = mc.polySphere(r=r)
        pos = pos + r
        mc.move( pos, 0. , 0., s[0] )          
        pos = pos + r


def expScale( n, maxRadius, power ):
    '''
        use the exponent function to change the size of 'n' spheres
    '''
    pos = 0.
    for i in range(n):
        x = (i + 1)  / float(n)
        r = math.exp( -1*x*power) * maxRadius        
        s = mc.polySphere(r=r)
        pos = pos + r
        mc.move( pos, 0. , 0., s[0] )          
        pos = pos + r



def oneMinusExpScale( n, maxRadius, power ):
    '''
        use 1 - e^(-x*power) to change the size of 'n' spheres
    '''
    pos = 0.
    for i in range(n):
        x = (i + 1)  / float(n)
        r = (1. - math.exp( -1*x*power) ) * maxRadius        
        s = mc.polySphere(r=r)
        pos = pos + r
        mc.move( pos, 0. , 0., s[0] )          
        pos = pos + r


    
        
def taper(n):
    """
        make 'n' spheres taper in size.
        the max sphere radius is 1, 
        the minimum is 1/n
    """
    pos = 0.
    for i in range(n):
        size = (n-i) / float(n)  # taper
        s = mc.polySphere(r=size)
        name = s[0]
        mc.setAttr("%s.tz" % name, pos)
        pos = pos + size