Random instances of first selected object in Maya

randomInstances.py

# randomInstances.py


import maya.cmds as cmds
import random

#get the same list of "random" numbers each time
random.seed (1234)


result = cmds.ls(orderedSelection = True)
print ('result: %s' % (result))



#get just the shape in order to instance
transformName = result[0]

#create an empty group for our instances
instanceGroupName = cmds.group( empty = True, name=transformName + '_instance_grp#')

for i in range( 0, 50):
    #instance initial cube
    instanceResult = cmds.instance( transformName, name = transformName + '_instance#')
    #add the new instance to our instance list
    cmds.parent(instanceResult, instanceGroupName)
    
    #print( 'instanceResult:' + str(instanceResult))
    
    #random location
    x = random.uniform ( -10, 10)
    y = random.uniform ( 0, 20)
    z = random.uniform ( -10, 10)
    cmds.move( x, y, z, instanceResult)
    
    #random rotation
    xRot = random.uniform( 0, 360)
    yRot = random.uniform( 0, 360)
    zRot = random.uniform( 0, 360)
    cmds.rotate(xRot, yRot, zRot, instanceResult)
    
    #random scale
    scalingFactor = random.uniform(0.3, 1.5)
    cmds.scale(scalingFactor, scalingFactor, scalingFactor, instanceResult)
    

#hide initial cube
cmds.hide (transformName)
#set a center pivot for the whole group
cmds.xform (instanceGroupName, centerPivots = True)