Deformable simulation using force propagation model with finite element optimization

A key challenge of deformable simulation is to satisfy the conflicting requirements of real-time interactivity and physical realism. In this paper, we present the mass–spring-based force propagation model (FPM) in which the simulation speed is tunable to maintain a balance between the two criteria. Deformation is modeled as a result of force propagation among the mass points in localized regions. Experiments have been performed to study the effects of the FPM parameters on the eventual deformation. Furthermore, a heuristic optimization technique is proposed to identify the model parameters for materials as specified by mechanical constants. We employ simulated annealing to tune the parameters automatically until the simulated shape of the FPM approximates the reference deformation as defined by the mathematically more rigorous finite element model. The proposed technique provides a feasible solution to the issue of parameter identification in mass–spring-based models. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.