Nicolas George <nicolas$george@salle-s.org> wrote:
> "Cousin Ricky"  wrote in message
> <web.48fd69e8e0492fdd85de7b680@news.povray.org>:
> >    "t^4 - 2*z*t^3 + (x^2+z^2-d^2)*t^2 + 2*d^2*z*t - d^2*z^2 = 0
> >    Solve for t."
>
> What are the meanings of the variuous variables?

x and z are your standard coordinates in 3-space.

d is the difference between the semimajor and semiminor axes, with the semimajor
assumed, for the time being, to be in the z-direction.

t is the difference between the z-coordinates of corresponding points on the
oblong torus and a circular torus, such that the major radius of the circular
torus equals the semiminor axis of the central ellipse of the oblong torus.

Interestingly enough, the minor radius doesn't show up in the figures!  One less
variable to worry about.  :-p

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