  Ellipsoidal variables present light-curve modulations caused by stellar
distortion, induced by tidal interaction with their companions. An analytical
approximated model of the ellipsoidal modulation is given as a discrete Fourier
series by Morris and Naftilan 1993 (MN93). Based on numerical simulations using
the PHOEBE code we present here updated amplitudes of the first three harmonics
of the model. The expected amplitudes are given as a function of the mass ratio
and inclination of the binary system and the fillout factor of the
primary---the ratio between the stellar radius and that of its Roche lobe. The
corrections can get up to 30% relative to the MN93 model for fillout factors
close to unity. The updated model can be instrumental in searching for
short-period binaries with compact-object secondaries in large data sets of
photometric light curves. As shown in one OGLE light-curve example, the minimum
mass ratio can be obtained by using only the amplitudes of the three harmonics
and an estimation of the stellar temperature. High enough amplitudes can help
to identify binaries with mass ratios larger than unity, some of which might
have compact companions.
