Abstract: The molding apparatus includes a press (10) with a top mold (12) and a bottom mold (14). The top mold (12) has a die (32) with a contoured die surface (34) and gas passages (36). The bottom mold (14) has a die (44) with a contoured die surface (46). The die (44) is made from either a solid piece of material with gas passages or from a porous material. During operation, a workpiece (26) is placed in a mold cavity (24). The mold cavity (24) is closed to shape the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by hot gas supplied by a gas supply and recirculation system (52) when the diverter valves (68 and 70) are opened and gas flows from gas circulation fan (56) to the gas heater chamber (54) to the bottom mold (14), through the die (44), through the workpiece (26), through the die (32) and back to the inlet side of the gas circulation fan (56). When the workpiece (26) has been heated to the desired temperature for the required time, the diverter valves (68 and 70) are closed.