Texture Module

Materials with surface texture such as automotive interior plastics, leather and powder coatings need to have uniformity of appearance and pattern to have maximum visual appeal. The Rhopoint Aesthetix® analyses surface texture to help manufacturers create consistent products with optimum visual appearance and tactile qualities.

Cell Amplitude
Cell Size
Reflectivity
Perceived Roughness
Luminance
Gloss
Colour

Measured Parameters

Cell Amplitude

This is the average amplitude of all cells identified within the texture of a material.

This parameter is used to understand the depth of the surface texture which directly influences visual and tactile perception.

Cell Size

Quantifying cell size and distribution helps in evaluating the uniformity, coarseness and overall appearance of the surface, essential for quality control and ensuring consistency in product manufacturing.

Cells have a larger surface area and the material appears smoother.

Cells have a smaller surface area and the material appears more textured and dense.

Reflectivity

Rhopoint Aesthetix® measures overall surface reflectivity and the contrast between the hills and valleys of the pattern. The degree of reflectivity in leather can affect how it looks under different lighting conditions.

The surface reflectivity is low, meaning that the valleys appear shallow.

The surface reflectivity is high, meaning that the valleys appear deeper.

Perceived Roughness

The standard deviation of amplitude for all measured pixels in the 15x15mm field of measurement.

Smoother leathers surfaces may show scratches more prominently and require more careful maintenance to retain their elegant look.

Rougher surfaces often mask minor damage and require less meticulous care.

Luminance

Aesthetix® displays surface average Y value from the CIE 1931 XYZ scale. This represents how light or dark the surface appears, independent of its hue or saturation.

Gloss

Set around the industry standard of 60 degrees, Aesthetix® gives gloss values complying to international standards with camera images to fully describe surface reflectivity.

Colour

A colour-accurate image of the surface is captured and the average RGB values are reported in the Rhopoint Appearance Elements software.

Why is Aesthetix® the ultimate surface appearance measurement solution?

Multiple aspects of surface appearance contribute to how the quality of a surface is perceived. Consumers subconsciously observe the glossiness, colour, translucency and texture of surfaces when judging the aesthetic appeal of a product.

Product aesthetics is a major factor in driving consumer purchase. Designers and manufacturers invest significant resources in optimizing materials and processes for maximum consumer appeal.

Aesthetix® uses cutting-edge measurement technology* to quantify overall surface appearance with the closest correlation to human perception.

Multiple aspects of appearance can be measured with Aesthetix®

*Measurement technology co-developed with industrial and academic partners.

What is the Rhopoint Aesthetix®?

Aesthetix® is an advanced system that predicts the impact of surface quality on consumer perception using new measurement metrics.

This modular device measures all aspects of surface quality, including glossiness, texture, topography, surface patterns, and visual homogeneity. Adaptable to various workflows, it can measure flat, curved, and small areas with contact or non-contact methods. Aesthetix® can distill complex measurement into easy to understand perception parameters which can be used to set pass/fail tolerances. Enhanced with Rhopoint Appearance Elements software, it supports data sharing, storage, analysis and reporting, making it a comprehensive tool for surface quality assessment.

Aesthetix® Implementation

Research and Development

Use Aesthetix® perception metrics to understand what makes a perfect surface finish in the eyes of the consumer. Set new standards with defined pass/fail criteria.

Deploy Aesthetix® technology to suit your workflow

Quality control

A simple QA interface with job based work flow can be employed for routine surface inspection.

Coming Soon

Automation

Designed for automation, the noncontact Aesthetix® sensor can be integrated into a cobot or robot measurement cell.

Portable inspection

Connected to a tablet, the Aesthetix® can be used as a portable off-site measurement tool.

Advanced Data Management

Rhopoint Appearance Elements software is used to analyse
measured results by comparing values, images and
topographical information against reference standards.

Aesthetix Appearance Elements Software screenshot

Scalable data management

Rhopoint Appearance Elements provides a structured, fully indexed database for precise process optimisation and future AI-driven decision-making.

Local

A local database stores results, data and images from a single instrument. Data and images can be output for further analysis.

Network

A network database for multiple instruments and locations.

Coming Soon

Cloud

Host your database on the Rhopoint cloud or use your organisation’s cloud.

Coming Soon

Aesthetix® Technology

Dual camera system:
Designed to capture detailed information about the surface and how it interacts with light.

Observer camera:
Captures a highly detailed colour-correct image of the surface.

Gloss camera:
HDR images are used to characterise multiple aspects of surface glossiness.

Specular light source:
Conforming to ISO 2813 and ASTM D523, this is used in the calculations for gloss, visual gloss, DOI, sharpness, haze, visual haze.

6 x 45° ring lights:
Used to light the surface for image capture, sparkle analysis and photometric stereo.

Line light:
Used to measure orange peel and surface waviness.

10° spot light:
Used in the analysis of scratches, holograms and haze.

Using Aesthetix® technology

The Aesthetix® instrument vision system comprises of a sensor unit connected via USB 3.0 supporting onsite inspection with a tablet, surface analysis with a laboratory PC and in-line quality control via SPC.

This modular device measures all aspects of surface quality, including glossiness, texture, topography, surface patterns, and visual homogeneity. Adaptable to various workflows, it can measure flat, curved, and small areas with contact or non-contact methods.

Versatile Measurements for all Applications

Measures flat surfaces, curved parts and small surface areas

Small Surface Areas

Interchangeable measurement adaptors allow for measurement of flat surfaces, small parts, small areas and curved surfaces.

The instrument is able to accept custom jigs and adaptors for more repeatable measurement of small and complex parts.

For non-contact measurement of delicate surfaces, liquid coatings, gels, creams and pastes, Aesthetix® can be used with a height-adjustable stand.

High-throughput sample analysis can be achieved with Aesthetix® integrated into a laboratory cobot system.

The Aesthetix® can be integrated into a production environment as a non-contact in-line sensor.

Aesthetix instrument upside down with confectionary place on top and around the instrument

Rhopoint Appearance Elements

appearance elements logo

Rhopoint Appearance Elements software is at the heart of the Aesthetix® instrument vision system, capturing images for analysis with cutting-edge algorithms. Measurement images, graphs, and topographical surface maps illustrate the appearance qualities of the surface. Numeric results and images are stored in a local, network or cloud database, ensuring secure, scalable data management.

Why use Aesthetix?

Match what the eye sees

Create the perfect surface finish by measuring all the parameters that affect visual appearance and match what your eye sees.

Aesthetix Vision Sensor

A dual camera sensor with innovative lighting captures HDR surface and gloss images with exceptional resolution lower than the human eye.

Aesthetix Vision Engine

The Rhopoint Appearance Element software uses perception algorithms to calculate parameters that predict the human visual response to important surface characteristics.

Compares standards against visual judgement

Uniquely, the Rhopoint Appearance Element software allows technical control based on ISO or ASTM standard procedures and at the same time, checks for visual judgment.

Aesthetix Buyer's Guide

Aesthetix Configuration

  • Instrument
  • Minimum one module:
    • Surface Brilliance
    • Cross-cut Adhesion
    • Effect Finish
    • Polishing Quality
    • Texture

Aesthetix is powered by Rhopoint Appearance Elements Software

Optional Extras

  • Adapter plates
  • Custom adapter (contact us to find out more)
  • Benchtop stand

Recommended System Requirements

  • OS: Windows 11 (Windows 10 supported until October 2025)
  • Memory: 16GB
  • CPU: x64 (x86 and ARM are not supported)
  • Port: USB 3.0 USB-C or Thunderbolt
  • Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Try before you buy

We offer two options for you to try out the Aesthetix® before buying.

Online demonstration: Online presentation of the Aesthetix® with your samples measured LIVE on Microsoft Teams. Includes a consultation with an application specialist.
Factory sample testing: Send in samples of your material for testing and receive a comprehensive test report.

Rhopoint Instruments
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