The computer will first use software to make a model design in the language that the printer will use to craft the product. This Computer Aided Design software is essential to get a final product. That design will then be converted to STL or stereolithography format. This will tell the printer exactly what it needs to do to produce the object. The STL file will then be sliced, which means that it will be adjusted to fit inside of the printer model.  During this phase, an auxiliary model will be made which can support the final 3D structure.

At this point, the object itself will actually begin to be created. It will be done layer by layer, adding minute parts of the object at a time until the final product has been shaped.  Many different materials can be used during this segment.  In the end, the final product will be finished off by cleaning the product and offering surface treatments which can make it functional.