This dissertation investigates deformable computer input device technologies to facilitate capturing complex physical-world gestures. By capturing the physical gestures and using appropriate haptics, it is possible to create virtual models using pinching and squeezing gestures similar to those used when sculpting clay. To date, most desktop modelling applications employ pointing devices that capture a single cursor location to manipulate a model with tedious sequential steps. One reason for this is developers have focused efforts on adopting applications to work with generic two-dimensional pointing devices, such as a mouse or digitising tablet. This is due to the difficulty of developing three-dimensional input technologies. In particular, deformable sensors capable of capturing natural sculpting techniques are undeveloped. / PhD Doctorate