# Superquadric attributes exact definition
**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Tags:** python
**Created:** [December 18, 2019, 12:22pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205 "2019-12-18T12:22:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jduriez](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/jduriez)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2019, 12:22pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205/1 "2019-12-18T12:22:58Z")
Hi,
I’m using the Python interface of Paraview and the Superquadric() function, being quite familiar with background equations for superquadrics [\*].
However, I could not find (in ParaViewGuide-5.7.0 for instance) the exact definition of these attributes, with respect to these background equations and Paraview (x,y,z) axes. For instance:
- What is the exact definition of spherical angles theta and phi used here ? (for attributes Phi/ThetaResolution/Roundness)
That is, which one is in [0;pi], and with respect to z-axis ?
- What is the exact definition, with respect to half lengths along each axis, of the Scale attribute ?
My tests tell me Scale[1] (denoting Scale[0] the first value of this list…) corresponds eg to z-axis in Paraview window. Whereas I was expecting it to be along the z-axis.
Thank you very much,
[\*] eg pdf p. 5, top right, of [https://authors.library.caltech.edu/9756/1/BARieeecga81.pdf](https://authors.library.caltech.edu/9756/1/BARieeecga81.pdf)
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### Author:  [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205/2 "2019-12-18T12:47:41Z")
[https://gitlab.kitware.com/vtk/vtk/blob/master/Filters/Sources/vtkSuperquadricSource.cxx](https://gitlab.kitware.com/vtk/vtk/blob/master/Filters/Sources/vtkSuperquadricSource.cxx)
```
Based on "Rigid physically based superquadrics", A. H. Barr,
in "Graphics Gems III", David Kirk, ed., Academic Press, 1992.
```
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### Author:  [@jduriez](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/jduriez)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205/3 "2019-12-18T13:08:28Z")
Thank you !
It seems to me `AxisOfSymmetry` is not accessible from Python (not an attribute of paraview.simple.Superquadric). Christmas being close, let me say I would appreciate it to be on some WishList. 😉
Thanks again
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### Author:  [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2019, 1:41pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205/4 "2019-12-18T13:41:41Z")
Here you go 🙂
> [@How to change AxisOfSymmetry in paraview](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-change-axisofsymmetry-in-paraview/3158/4):
>
> Here you go : Save [SuperquadricAxisOfSymmetry.xml](https://discourse.paraview.org/uploads/short-url/fjmaVsXDRrj3J3N7Mgu3MntmQsc.xml) somewhere on your computer Open ParaView Tools -\> Manage Plugin -\> Load New -\> SuperquadricAxisOfSymmetry.xml Sources -\> Alphabetical -\> mySuperquadricSource
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### Author:  [@jduriez](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/jduriez)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/superquadric-attributes-exact-definition/3205/5 "2019-12-18T15:28:11Z")
Christmas is already here ! Thanks again