1. A method for using a computer to construct a skeleton representing an object, said object being defined by boundary data that represent a surface of the object, comprising the steps of: (a) producing simplices having vertices at surface data points that sample a boundary of the object; (b) forming circumspheres comprising hyperspheres that circumscribe the simplices; (c) connecting centers of the circumspheres to form an approximate skeleton; and (d) adjusting the circumspheres so as to minimize an error in the disposition of the vertices of the approximate skeleton and thereby producing an accurate skeleton of the object.