python_inside_maya: Plotting spheres in an ellipse shape over a given angle

maya_ellipse.py

# https://groups.google.com/g/python_inside_maya/c/EI2d7PrpKMk/m/zeYuI216AQAJ
# Plotting spheres in an ellipse shape over a given angle.

import math
from collections import namedtuple

import maya.cmds as cmds

Point = namedtuple("Point", "x y")
Ellipse = namedtuple("Ellipse", "a b origin")


def point_on_ellipse(ellipse, angle):
    # https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17762077/how-to-find-the-point-on-ellipse-given-the-angle
    x = ellipse.origin.x + ellipse.a * math.cos(angle * math.pi / 180.0)
    y = ellipse.origin.y + ellipse.b * math.sin(angle * math.pi / 180.0)
    x, y = round(x, 3), round(y, 3)
    return Point(x, y)


origin = Point(0, 0)
my_ellipse = Ellipse(6, 3, origin)

degrees = 180
max_iterations = 21


for i in range(max_iterations):
    if degrees % 360 == 0:
        rot = float(degrees) / max_iterations * i
    else:
        rot = float(degrees) * i / (max_iterations-1)
    
    pt = point_on_ellipse(my_ellipse, rot)
    print(i, rot, pt)

    my_sphere = cmds.polySphere(r=0.15)
    cmds.move(pt.x, pt.y, my_sphere, xy=True, absolute=True)