I am using the following python script to generate an amount of random cylinders that do not overlap with each other:

     import bpy
 from random import random
 from mathutils import Vector

 cylinderRadius    = 1
 maxIterations = 500 # Max iterations to prevent while loop from running 
 forever

# min and max values for each axis for the random numbers
ranges = {
   'x' : { 'min' : 7, 'max' : 10 },
   'y' : { 'min' : 7, 'max' : 10 },
   'z' : { 'min' : 0, 'max' : 0}
  }

# Generates a random number within the axis minmax range
randLocInRange = lambda axis: ranges[axis]['min'] + random() * ( 
ranges[axis]['max'] - ranges[axis]['min'] )

size  = 50 # Number of cubes
cylinders = []  # Cube coordinates list

loopIterations = 0
while len( cylinders ) < size and loopIterations < maxIterations:
   loopIterations += 1

# Generate a random 3D coordinate
loc = Vector([ randLocInRange( axis ) for axis in ranges.keys() ])

if len( cylinders ) > 0:
    # Search for overlapping points (within the cube radius radius)
    overlappingPoints = [ p for p in cylinders if ( p - loc ).length < cylinderRadius * 2 ]

    # if any found, skip this location
    if overlappingPoints: continue

# Add coordinate to cube list
cylinders.append( loc )

# Add the first cube (others will be duplicated from it)
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cylinder_add( radius = cylinderRadius, location = 
cylinders[0] )
cylinder = bpy.context.scene.objects['Cylinder']

# Add all other cubes
for c in cylinders[1:]:
    dupliCylinder = cylinder.copy()
    dupliCylinder.location = c
    bpy.context.scene.objects.link( dupliCylinder )

However, I do not get the 50 cylinders I am asking for when compiling. Does anyone have an idea on how to actually avoid setting a number of cylinders to be generated, but to fill in a pre-defined area (e.g. a square) with randomly placed cylinders, that do not overlap with each other, on it ?

Thanks!

I am using the following python script to generate an amount of random cylinders that do not overlap with each other:

     import bpy
 from random import random
 from mathutils import Vector

 cylinderRadius    = 1
 maxIterations = 500 # Max iterations to prevent while loop from running 
 forever

# min and max values for each axis for the random numbers
ranges = {
   'x' : { 'min' : 7, 'max' : 10 },
   'y' : { 'min' : 7, 'max' : 10 },
   'z' : { 'min' : 0, 'max' : 0}
  }

# Generates a random number within the axis minmax range
randLocInRange = lambda axis: ranges[axis]['min'] + random() * ( 
ranges[axis]['max'] - ranges[axis]['min'] )

size  = 50 # Number of cylinders
cylinders = []  # Cylinders coordinates list

loopIterations = 0
while len( cylinders ) < size and loopIterations < maxIterations:
   loopIterations += 1

# Generate a random 3D coordinate
loc = Vector([ randLocInRange( axis ) for axis in ranges.keys() ])

if len( cylinders ) > 0:
    # Search for overlapping points (within the cylinder radius radius)
    overlappingPoints = [ p for p in cylinders if ( p - loc ).length < cylinderRadius * 2 ]

    # if any found, skip this location
    if overlappingPoints: continue

# Add coordinate to cylinder list
cylinders.append( loc )

# Add the first cylinder (others will be duplicated from it)
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cylinder_add( radius = cylinderRadius, location = 
cylinders[0] )
cylinder = bpy.context.scene.objects['Cylinder']

# Add all other cylinders
for c in cylinders[1:]:
    dupliCylinder = cylinder.copy()
    dupliCylinder.location = c
    bpy.context.scene.objects.link( dupliCylinder )

However, I do not get the 50 cylinders I am asking for when compiling. Does anyone have an idea on how to actually avoid setting a number of cylinders to be generated, but to fill in a pre-defined area (e.g. a square) with randomly placed cylinders, that do not overlap with each other, on it ?

Thanks!