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Kochi, IndiaShanghai, China
Company profile
Ed. 2026
Styling surface development division

Surfaces thathold a highlight.

APE2RACE is the styling surface development division of Paperboost Design Studio. Concept, CAS and Class-A surface modelling in Autodesk Alias, for cars, two-wheelers and products.

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G2, smooth bend. Reflections flow across the join without a break.

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Our service

CAS surface development.

From design idea to production-ready 3D surfaces, with precision at every step.

APE2RACE offers Computer-Aided Styling (CAS): turning designs into high-quality digital 3D surfaces. We combine licensed Autodesk Alias, an experienced team and strict confidentiality to connect creative design with engineering accuracy, for cars, two-wheelers, products and industrial design.

  • 3D surface modelling from your sketches and drawings
  • Design surface development and refinement
  • Class-A surface creation and quality checks
  • Clay or scale model scan data to 3D data
  • Reflection and curvature analysis
  • Design feasibility checks
Zebra reflection analysis on a full vehicle body surface
Class-ASurface quality
NURBSPrecision method
OEMIndustry standard
Class-A explained

What is Class-A surfacing?

Class-A surfaces are the outer surfaces of a product that customers see and touch, like a car’s body panels. They must be perfectly smooth, so light reflects off them in clean, unbroken lines. Car makers use Class-A data to make the production moulds and tooling.

G0

Surfaces touch

The edges meet, but there is a sharp fold. The stripes break.

Not Class-A
G1

Surfaces line up

No fold, but the stripes bend sharply. You can still see the join.

Not Class-A
G2

Smooth join

The stripes flow across and the join disappears.

Class-A minimum
G3

Extra-smooth join

The stripes flow perfectly. Used on the most visible areas.

Best Class-A
01 Who we are

A specialist surface team inside a vehicle design company.

We create the 3D surfaces for cars, bikes and products, using licensed Autodesk Alias and an experienced team. We work to the quality level international companies expect, and we check every model against our own written quality rules.

Strict confidentiality

Client designs and data are handled under NDA and kept secure throughout the project.

Flawless joins

Surfaces join so smoothly that light reflects across them without a break.

Engineers on the team

Our engineers check that the design fits the parts inside and can be manufactured.

From idea to final model

One team takes your design from the first rough 3D shape to the final production model.

02 How we work

Five steps, from your design to production-ready files.

  1. 01

    Review

    Design inputs, sketches and layout.

    • Sketches, drawings or existing 3D data
    • Size limits and fixed points from engineering
    • Quality targets agreed with you
  2. 02

    Build

    Main surfaces, transitions and details.

    • Main surfaces and design lines first
    • Smooth joins between surfaces
    • Edges, gaps and small details
  3. 03

    Refine

    Class-A surface quality and reflections.

    • All visible joins made fully smooth
    • Light reflections fine-tuned
    • Model structure cleaned up
  4. 04

    Check

    Fit, panel gaps and surface quality.

    • Design fits within the size limits
    • Gaps between panels are correct
    • Reflection and smoothness tests
  5. 05

    Deliver

    Alias files, export formats and QC report.

    • Original Alias files, neatly organised
    • Files for your own CAD software
    • Quality report with test results

Before we start, we spend a few days understanding your design and agreeing the targets with you. This avoids surprises later.

03 Modelling levels

Three levels of surface, matched to where the design is.

Concept modelling

Volume, proportion and stance

Fast, controllable surfaces that turn sketches into 3D form. Built for quick iteration while the design is still moving.

Surface
Clean G1, simple patch layout
Used for
Theme selection, design reviews, early renders
Output
Volume model, review renders, sections

CAS modelling

Computer-aided styling on package

Design-accurate surfaces built on the real package and hardpoints. Character lines, sections and proportions locked for design freeze.

Surface
G1 / G2 on main surfaces, defined feature lines
Used for
Design freeze, feasibility, milling, VR review
Output
CAS model, milling data, feasibility sections

Class-A modelling

Production-intent release surfaces

The final visible surfaces: highlight-perfect, fully detailed and engineering-ready, so tooling can be cut from them.

Surface
G2 / G3, controlled CV structure, full detail
Used for
Engineering release, tooling, production
Output
Native .wire, exports, QC report
04 Surface evaluation

How every surface is evaluated during development.

Each model is reviewed at every stage: first the patch layout, then under different lighting shaders, and finally with curvature combs to check reflections and form.

Patch layout
01

Patch layout

How the surface is divided into patches. A clean, logical layout keeps every surface simple, controllable and easy to join smoothly.

Surface evaluation, sky shader
02

Surface evaluation, sky shader

A sky-style reflection shader shows how the horizon and light flow across the body, revealing any dips, waves or uneven transitions.

Surface evaluation, showroom shader
03

Surface evaluation, showroom shader

A showroom lighting shader shows the surface as a customer would see the finished, painted part, confirming clean highlights and form.

Curvature comb evaluation
04

Curvature comb evaluation

Curvature combs on cross-sections show how each curve bends. A smooth, flowing comb outline confirms the surface will reflect light cleanly.

05 Alias model quality standards
StandardRequirementDefault targetVerified by

Surface quality

Smooth, clean, fair surfaces
Requirement
  • No waviness, dents or unintended inflections
  • No twisted, collapsed or degenerate patches
  • Even, natural light reflection across the panel
Default target

No visible defect under diagnostic shading at review distance

Verified by

Zebra, isophote and environment shading

Continuity

Proper G0 / G1 / G2 transitions
Requirement
  • G0 positional, no gaps or overlaps
  • G1 tangent on all blended edges
  • G2 on visible primary transitions, G3 where specified
Default target

G0 ≤ 0.01 mm
G1 ≤ 0.1°
G2 curvature matched at boundary

Verified by

Alias continuity check, curvature comb

Curvature

Consistent curvature and highlight flow
Requirement
  • Monotonic curvature on primary surfaces
  • Highlights flow parallel and evenly spaced
  • Feature lines hold a consistent radius character
Default target

No unintended sign change in curvature; smooth comb envelope

Verified by

Curvature comb, curvature map, highlight lines

CV structure

Clean and efficient surface topology
Requirement
  • Lowest degree and span count that holds the shape
  • Evenly spaced CVs, no stacked or crossing hulls
  • Aligned boundary rows, consistent UV direction
Default target

Single-span Bézier on primaries where possible; degree 3–7

Verified by

CV and hull inspection, model hygiene check

Accuracy

Correct design, package and panel gaps
Requirement
  • Design intent held to approved CAS, scan or sketch
  • All hardpoints and package zones respected
  • Panel gaps and flush built to the agreed spec
Default target

Gap and flush ±0.1 mm in data; deviation to reference as agreed in review

Verified by

Deviation map, section and gap analysis, NX package check

Final QC

Zebra, curvature and deviation checks
Requirement
  • Full diagnostic pass on every released surface
  • Open edges, normals, trims and tiny surfaces cleaned
  • Layers, naming and history organised for handover
Default target

All surface quality, continuity, curvature, CV structure and accuracy checks passed and recorded

Verified by

Independent senior review, signed QC report

Default targets apply when no client specification is provided. Tolerances, gap and flush values and the reference for deviation checks are confirmed in the Review step and written into the project scope.

06 Software

Real software, used the way OEM studios use it.

A perfect surface is measured, not judged by eye alone. Our modellers work in licensed Autodesk Alias with the same evaluation tools used in automotive studios worldwide, and every check in the standard is a real software analysis.

Autodesk Alias AutoStudio

Concept, CAS and Class-A modelling, from first volumes to release data.

Diagnostic shading

Zebra stripes, isophotes, highlight lines and environment reflections to judge flow and fairness.

Surface evaluation

Curvature combs, curvature maps, continuity checks, deviation maps, sections and draft analysis.

Siemens NX

Package, hardpoint and gap cross-checks with the APE2RACE engineering team.

Visualization

Photorealistic renders and turntables for design reviews and sign-off.

07 Delivery

What you receive.

Files

  • .wireOriginal Alias file, neatly organised
  • STEPWorks with CATIA, NX, Creo and SolidWorks
  • IGESFor older systems and mould makers
  • JTLight files for viewing and review
  • STL / OBJFor 3D printing, milling and images
  • OtherAny other format you need

Quality report

  • Summary of the work and the version delivered
  • Reflection test images of every main surface
  • Results of the join checks
  • Curvature test images
  • Comparison with the approved design
  • Size, fit and panel gap checks
  • Model structure checklist
  • Open points and sign-off
08 Our team

An experienced team, led by senior surface specialists.

3+

Senior surface lead

Plans how each part is surfaced and gives final quality approval on every delivery.

4+

Senior modellers

Build and refine the final Class-A production surfaces with full detail.

6+

Junior modellers

Build concept and CAS models, reviewed by the senior modellers.

NX

Engineering support

Our engineers check fit, mounting points, panel gaps and manufacturability.

Dedicated team

Our modellers work only on your project for an agreed period.

Fixed project

We take one part or vehicle from start to final files.

Flexible team size

Start small and add people as the project grows.

Parametric surface texture

Textures that follow the surface.

09 Parametric surface texture

Patterns built by rules, not by hand.

Alongside Class-A surfacing, we design parametric surface textures in Grasshopper. Every texture is generated from a set of rules for shape, size, depth and spacing. That lets it wrap accurately over complex, double-curved surfaces, grade smoothly from one area to another, and update in minutes when the design changes.

What we create

  • 3D grille and air-intake textures for front ends and bumpers
  • Speaker grille and trim perforations for door panels and dashboards
  • Geometric and relief textures for trims, covers and bezels
  • Grain, grip and tactile textures for handles, controls and products
  • Lattice and Voronoi textures for lightweight and 3D-printed parts
Graded 3D front grille texture on a vehicle
11 Texture parameters

Every parameter, adjustable at any stage.

Cell shape

Diamond, hexagon, slot, custom motif or Voronoi cell

Size and spacing

Fixed, or graded across the part

Depth and draft

3D relief depth with draft built in for moulding

Opening ratio

Open area tuned for airflow or sound

Attractors

Points, curves or images that drive the gradient

Edge treatment

Fade, shrink or clean border offset

Minimum limits

Wall, web and hole sizes held for manufacturing

Orientation

Cells aligned to surface flow or a fixed direction

Built for the process

Injection mouldingStamping and perforationLaser cuttingChemical etchingCNC machining3D printing
12 Texture process

From surface to textured part, in five steps.

01

Base surface

We start from the approved Class-A or CAS surface.

02

Texture logic

We build the rules for shape, size, depth, spacing and how the texture changes across the part.

03

Mapping

The texture is placed on the surface, following its curvature and boundaries.

04

Refine

Density, gradients and edge transitions are tuned until the design is approved.

05

Deliver

Production-ready 3D geometry, checked for manufacturability.

Fast changes

Adjust size, spacing or depth in minutes instead of remodelling the whole texture.

Accurate on any shape

Textures follow double-curved surfaces without stretching or distortion.

Controlled gradients

Textures can grow, shrink or fade across a part for a premium finish.

Ready to manufacture

Wall thickness, depth and draft are built into the rules for moulding, machining or 3D printing.

DeliverablesTextured 3D geometry in STEP, IGES or STL, ready for engineering and tooling.

ContactSurfaces that hold a highlight.

Let’s make your surfaces perfect.

Send us your sketches or 3D data. We’ll reply with a plan, a team and a timeline.

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