As an interactive geometry editing technique

mesh deformation plays an important role in geometry modeling and computer animation.Detail-preserving mesh deformation

especially differential domain deformation techniques gains high interests in the computer graphics community in recent years.Combined with recent advancements on mesh deformation methods classified into skeletal deformation

surface deformation

and space deformation

this paper provides a systematic survey on this area

trying to give a comprehensive introduction and comparison to those typical mesh deformation methods from their algorithmic principles

advantages and limitations.Furthermore

the opportunities of future research in mesh deformation are discussed.