Abstract: Beginning on a starting area on a surface of a digital model, a layered subdivision of the model takes place to produce a three-dimensional object. Positioning of the layers on the starting area is based on calculation of a distance field, which assigns to each point of the model volume a shortest distance within the volume to the nearest starting area. For each discrete point of a layer defined by a distance field an orientation of a processing head is determined. The surface normal of the layer is calculated or gradient vectors of the distance field are calculated, which show a direction of the steepest rise in distances for the discrete point. Shape and distribution of layers conform to the shape of the digital model. The sequence for the adaptive construction results from the assignment of the layers to distance values, beginning with a lowest distance value in ascending order.