Long Elements Method (LEM) for real time physically based dynamic
simulation of deformable objects. The LEM is based on a new meshing
strategy using long elements whose forms can be straight or arbitrary.
The LEM implements a static solution for elastic global deformations of
objects filled with fluid based on the Pascal's principle and volume
conservation. The volumes are discretised in long elements, defining
meshes one order of magnitude smaller than meshes based on tetrahedral or
cubic elements. The LEM further combines static and dynamic approaches to
simulate the same deformable medium, allowing modeling a
three-dimensional internal state at any point inside the deforming medium
from a reduced number of explicitly updated elements. Complex elastic and
plastic deformations can be simulated in real time with less
computational effort. The LEM is particularly useful in real time virtual
interactions, soft tissue modeling, and graphic and haptic rendering.