# combine two ParametricPlot3D plots

I have the following parametric equations

x0[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := a* Cos[u]*Sin[v]
y0[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := b* Sin[u]*Sin[v]
z0[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := c*Cos[v]

x1[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := 0
y1[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := b* Sin[u]*Sin[v]
z1[u_, v_, a_, b_, c_] := c*Cos[v]


Now I take the plots

g1 = ParametricPlot3D[{x0[u, v, 10, 3, 2], y0[u, v, 10, 3, 2],
z0[u, v, 10, 3, 2]}, {u, 0, 2 \[Pi]}, {v, 0, \[Pi]},
Mesh -> None];

g2 = ParametricPlot3D[{x1[u, v, 10, 3, 2], y1[u, v, 10, 3, 2],
z1[u, v, 10, 3, 2]}, {u, 0, 2 \[Pi]}, {v, 0, \[Pi]}, Mesh -> None,
PlotStyle -> LightBlue]


How can I combine them in order the second plot to be visible (like an Epilog object for g1)?

I want something like the following output

Show[g2, g1]


but the whole ellipsoid should be plot. Thank you.

• add the option PlotStyle -> Opacity[.5] to g1 and use Show[g1,g2]?
– kglr
Feb 11, 2015 at 16:24
• @kguler Sorry, didn't see your comment before posting. Moved my answer to CW Feb 11, 2015 at 16:34
• @kguler, thank for the answer Feb 11, 2015 at 16:49
• @belisarius, happens to me all the time. Don't think it is necessary to make your answer CW - can you undo it?
– kglr
Feb 11, 2015 at 17:18
• @kguler I don't care either. Let's keep it CW.:) Feb 11, 2015 at 17:23

g1 = ParametricPlot3D[{x0[u, v, 10, 3, 2], y0[u, v, 10, 3, 2],
z0[u, v, 10, 3, 2]}, {u, 0, 2 π}, {v, 0, π}, Mesh -> None,
PlotStyle -> Opacity[.5]]

g2 = ParametricPlot3D[{x1[u, v, 10, 3, 2], y1[u, v, 10, 3, 2],
z1[u, v, 10, 3, 2]}, {u, 0, 2 π}, {v, 0, π}, Mesh -> None,
PlotStyle -> LightBlue]

Show[g1, g2]


• Moved to CW after seeing @kguler's comment ... Feb 11, 2015 at 16:33
• Belisarius, thank for the answer. By the way, I can reproduce this coloring for g1. Instead what I get is an orange-like coloring. How to modify it? Feb 11, 2015 at 16:53

Just for fun:

Graphics3D[{Opacity[.5], Scale[#, {3, 1, 1}], Opacity[1],
Scale[#, {.001, 1, 1}]} &@Sphere[]]


This (self-contained) short form is possible here because ellipsoids are just scaled spheres.

By the way, the Scale with 0.001 in the x direction is also a good way to render disks in 3D.

• Thank you very much. No need for parametric equations:-)! Feb 11, 2015 at 16:50