Class A surfaces

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Class A surfaces is a term used in automotive design to describe a set of freeform surfaces of high quality. Although, strictly, it is nothing more than saying the surfaces have curvature and tangency alignment -to near perfect aesthetical reflection quality, many people interpret class A surfaces to have G2 (or even G3) curvature continuity to one another (see freeform surface modelling).

Class A surfacing is done using computer-aided industrial design applications like Alias, Icem . Class A surface modellers are also called "digital sculptors" in the industry. Industrial Designers develop their design styling through the A Surface, the physical surface the end user can feel, touch, see etc.

A common method of working is to start with a prototype model and produce smooth mathematical Class A surfaces to describe the products outer body. From this the production of tools and inspection of finished parts can be carried out. Class A surfacing complements the prototype modelling stage by reducing time and increasing control over design iterations.

Clay Modelling:

Class A surfacing / digital sculpting is similar to clay modelling with the added advantage of computing power to change or incorporate design changes in existing/new design.

A tutorial about Class-A surfacing is now available from the AliasDesign Community site. You can find it here [1]