How to generate 2D gaussian with Python?

Question

I can generate Gaussian data with random.gauss(mu, sigma) function, but how can I generate 2D gaussian? Is there any function like that?

Answer 1

import numpy as np

# define normalized 2D gaussian
def gaus2d(x=0, y=0, mx=0, my=0, sx=1, sy=1):
    return 1. / (2. * np.pi * sx * sy) * np.exp(-((x - mx)**2. / (2. * sx**2.) + (y - my)**2. / (2. * sy**2.)))

x = np.linspace(-5, 5)
y = np.linspace(-5, 5)
x, y = np.meshgrid(x, y) # get 2D variables instead of 1D
z = gaus2d(x, y)

Straightforward implementation and example of the 2D Gaussian function. Here sx and sy are the spreads in x and y direction, mx and my are the center coordinates.