We present a method for the generation of a pure quad mesh approximating a discrete manifold of arbitrary topology that preserves the patch layout characterizing the intrinsic object structure. A three-step procedure constitutes the core of our approach which first extracts the patch layout of the object by a topological partitioning of the digital shape, then computes the minimal surface given by the boundaries of the patch layout (basic quad layout) and then evolves it towards the object boundaries....