Abstract An apparatus and method for shaping and surface finishing articles and material of manufacture by means of intense radiation. In one form intense radiation, such as generated by an electron beam or beam of coherent light energy generated by a laser is controlled and caused to scan a portion of the surface of an article in such a manner as to selectively erode or vaporize material from the surface stratum of the article to shape or finish the surface thereof. In another form, the beam energy is employed to melt a portion of the surface stratum in a scanning operation wherein the melted material cools and solidifies into a layer having improved physical characteristics. In a modified form, such melted material is caused to flow and vary the shape of the article.