Polycube　construction　and　deformation　are　essential　problems　in　computer　graphics.　In　this　paper,　we　present　a　robust,　simple,　efficient,　and　automatic　algorithm　to　deform　the　meshes　of　arbitrary　shapes　into　polycube　form.　We　derive　a　clear　relationship　between　a　mesh　and　its　corresponding　polycube　shape.　Our　algorithm　is　edge-preserving,　and　works　on　surface　meshes　with　or　without　boundaries.　Our　algorithm　outperforms　previous　ones　with　respect　to　speed,　robustness,　and　efficiency.　Our　method　is　simple　to　implement.　To　demonstrate　the　robustness　and　effectivity　of　our　method,　we　have　applied　it　to　hundreds　of　models　of　varying　complexity　and　topology.　We　demonstrate　that　our　method　compares　favorably　to　other　state-of-the-art　polycube　deformation　methods.　©　2017,　The　Author(s).