Typically, input geometry is undeformed and load-free, and the deformed geometry under loading is unknown. Traditional forward solving obtains the deformed geometry and the associated stresses and strains.

In some cases, parts are designed already under load and with deformed geometry, but the undeformed reference geometry and the stresses/strains on the deformed input geometry are the unknowns to solve. In such cases, inverse solving is necessary to find the reference geometry and the stresses/strains associated with the deformed input geometry. For more information, see Nonlinear Static Analysis with Inverse Solving.