1. A method for generating a model of an object, wherein the model represents the object by a hybrid adaptively sampled distance field formed by a spatial hierarchy of cells, wherein at least one cell is associated with a set of distance samples and a set of distance functions, the method comprising steps of: sampling a distance function for the cell to produce a subset of distance samples; modifying the set of distance samples of the cell with the subset of distance samples; and modifying the set of distance functions of the cell with the distance function, wherein the steps of the method are performed by a processer, wherein the cell is associated with a sampled type determined based on the set of distance samples, and a composite type determined based on the set of distance functions, wherein the sampled and the composite types indicate a relationship of the cell with a boundary of the object, and wherein the types are selected from a group consisting of an intermediate cell, an exterior leaf cell, an interior leaf cell, and a boundary leaf cell, and further comprising: testing a sampled subdivision criteria for the sampled type of the cell and a composite subdivision criteria for the composite type of the cell; and generating children of the cell if at least one of the sampled subdivision criteria or the composite subdivision criteria is met.