A method and system is provided for computer-aided simulation of multi-layer selective laser sintering and melting in an additive manufacturing processes. The method may include receiving a solid model. The method may also include slicing the solid model geometry along a build direction and creating 3D meshes that represent manufacturing layers. In addition, the method may include simulating manufacture of each of the 3D meshes to produce corresponding deformed 3D meshes. Further, the method may include building a 3D mesh model from the deformed 3D meshes and displaying the 3D mesh model.