1. A computer-implemented method of generating from image data of an actual object a meshed model of the object suitable for finite element or finite volume analysis, the method being implemented on a computer having a processor and comprising: calculating a variable distribution of sampling points in image data space using first code executing in the processor, the variable sampling point distribution having localized variations in sampling point density within the image data space; sampling the image data of the actual object at the sampling points of the variable sampling point distribution using second code executing in the processor; generating a mesh of adjoining cells from the sampled image data using third code executing in the processor; and displaying the generated mesh or a model based on the generated mesh on a display, wherein the distribution of sampling points has the same topology as a uniform sampling point distribution suitable for obtaining a regular structured mesh, and wherein the method includes generating an indication of the magnitude of cell distortion between the generated mesh and the regular structured mesh.