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import maya.cmds as mc

def duplicateAlongCurve(object_name, curve_name, num_copies=10, align=True):
    """
    Duplicates an object along a NURBS curve.

    :param object_name: <str> The name of the object to duplicate.
    :param curve_name: <str> The name of the NURBS curve.
    :param num_copies: <int> Number of duplicates to create along the curve.
    :param align: <bool> Whether to align duplicates to the curve's tangent.
    :return: <None>
    """
    # Validate object existence
    if not mc.objExists(object_name):
        mc.warning("Object '{}' does not exist.".format(object_name))
        return

    # Validate curve existence
    if not mc.objExists(curve_name):
        mc.warning("Curve '{}' does not exist.".format(curve_name))
        return

    # Ensure the curve is a NURBS curve and retrieve its shape node
    if mc.nodeType(curve_name) != 'nurbsCurve':
        curve_shapes = mc.listRelatives(curve_name, shapes=True, type='nurbsCurve')
        if not curve_shapes:
            mc.warning("'{}' is not a NURBS curve.".format(curve_name))
            return
        curve_shape = curve_shapes[0]
    else:
        curve_shape = curve_name

    # Get the parameter range of the curve
    try:
        min_param = mc.getAttr(curve_shape + ".minValue")
        max_param = mc.getAttr(curve_shape + ".maxValue")
    except Exception as e:
        mc.warning("Failed to get 'minValue' or 'maxValue' for '{}': {}".format(curve_shape, e))
        return

    # Handle edge cases for num_copies
    if num_copies < 1:
        mc.warning("Number of copies must be at least 1.")
        return
    elif num_copies == 1:
        params = [(min_param + max_param) / 2.0]
    else:
        step = (max_param - min_param) / float(num_copies - 1)
        params = [min_param + (step * i) for i in range(num_copies)]

    duplicates = []

    for i, param in enumerate(params):
        try:
            # Get position on curve at parameter
            point = mc.pointOnCurve(curve_name, pr=param, p=True)

            # Duplicate the object
            # Use the 'n' flag instead of 'name' for better compatibility
            dup = mc.duplicate(object_name, n="{}_dup{}".format(object_name, i+1))[0]

            # Move duplicate to the point on the curve
            mc.move(point[0], point[1], point[2], dup, absolute=True)

            if align:
                # Get the tangent at the parameter
                tangent = mc.pointOnCurve(curve_name, pr=param, nt=True)

                # Aim the duplicate's Y-axis to align with the tangent
                aim_constraint = mc.aimConstraint(
                    curve_name,
                    dup,
                    aimVector=(tangent[0], tangent[1], tangent[2]),
                    upVector=(0, 1, 0),
                    worldUpType="vector",
                    worldUpVector=(0, 1, 0)
                )

                # Delete the constraint and bake the rotation
                mc.delete(aim_constraint)
                mc.makeIdentity(dup, apply=True, rotate=True)

            duplicates.append(dup)

        except Exception as e:
            mc.warning("Failed to duplicate along curve at parameter {}: {}".format(param, e))

    print("Duplicated '{}' along '{}' with {} copies.".format(object_name, curve_name, num_copies))


def test_duplicateAlongCurve():
    """
    Tests the duplicateAlongCurve function by:
    1. Creating a test object (sphere).
    2. Creating a test curve.
    3. Running duplicateAlongCurve with various parameters.
    4. Verifying the duplicates.
    5. Optionally cleaning up the test scene.
    """
    # Step 1: Create a test object (sphere)
    test_object = 'testSphere'
    if mc.objExists(test_object):
        mc.delete(test_object)
    test_object = mc.polySphere(name=test_object)[0]
    mc.move(0, 0, 0, test_object)  # Ensure it's at the origin

    # Step 2: Create a test curve (simple NURBS curve)
    test_curve = 'testCurve'
    if mc.objExists(test_curve):
        mc.delete(test_curve)
    # Correctly create a degree 3 NURBS curve with appropriate number of CVs
    # For degree=3, n CVs, number of knots=k = n + degree + 1
    # Here, n=4 CVs to have k=8 knots (auto-generated by Maya)
    test_curve = mc.curve(
        name=test_curve,
        d=3,
        p=[(0, 0, 0), (5, 5, 0), (10, 0, 0), (15, -5, 0)]
        # Let Maya auto-generate the knot vector by not specifying 'k'
    )

    # Step 3: Run duplicateAlongCurve with default parameters
    print("\nTest 1: Duplicate with default parameters (num_copies=10, align=True)")
    duplicateAlongCurve(test_object, test_curve)

    # Step 4: Verify duplicates are created
    duplicates = mc.ls('{}_dup*'.format(test_object), type='transform')
    expected_copies = 10
    actual_copies = len(duplicates)
    assert actual_copies == expected_copies, "Test 1 Failed: Expected {} duplicates, found {}".format(expected_copies, actual_copies)
    print("Test 1 Passed: Correct number of duplicates created.")

    print("\nAll tests completed successfully.")


# Run the test function
test_duplicateAlongCurve()

[Today’s Challenge is to take this simple code to next level.. I am sharing images of these advanced codes...]