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SUMMARYA finite element algorithm is developed to predict the strain distribution of sheet forming parts and to evaluate their formability at the design stage. The algorithm is simply called the inverse approach since we know the positions of the material points on the final product and we determine the positions of the corresponding material points in the initial blank. This is also a direct algorithm which avoids the path dependent incremental procedure of plasticity and contact. This paper presents some theoretical aspects related to the large logarithmic strains with membrane triangular elements, the deformation theory of plasticity, the isotropic and anisotropic material properties of metal sheets and the non-linear solution techniques. Some particular problems are also studied, such as the influence of friction forces under the punch and blankholders, the 'optimization' of the initial blank's contour and the deep drawing in several steps. The results are compared with those obtained by experiments and by the more classical incremental approach.