The invention relates to an additive manufacturing method, a method of processing object data, a data carrier, an object data processor and a manufactured object. The present disclosure provides an additive manufacturing method for manufacturing an object. The method comprises depositing successive layers of a granular metal construction material. The method comprises selectively binding a first region of each layer to form a bound shell of the construction material defining an exterior of the object and selectively binding a second region of each layer to form support portions contacting the shell and which function to support the shell against external forces. The region of each layer extends between the first and second region remaining unbound. The support portions can have the form of columns or a mesh extending across and within the shell. The present disclosure also provides apparatuses implementing the manufacturing method, and objects manufactured by the manufacturing method.