A method, amenable to automation, for generating finite elements of a geometric model. The model is first subdivided into coarse subdomains and then the coarse subdomains are further subdivided. The coarse subdivision is performed using a symmetric axis transform which generates axes symmetric to opposing boundaries of the object. The transform also generates a radius function of the axes giving the distance between the axes and the boundaries. A coarse subdomain is created between each single non-branching section of the axes and one of its associated boundaries. The fine subdivisions of the relatively simple coarse subdomains is performed by well known techniques or can beneficially use the radius function.