A system for additive manufacturing includes a laser configured to produce a laser beam having a laser spot area and configured to operate at a transverse speed. The system includes a power source configured to power the laser to selectively heat the powdered material at a configurable power level. The system includes a controller configured to determine an energy density for an ideal build for the object, the ideal build having ideal surface properties for the ideal build including a bead overlap and a build layer thickness, the energy density being based on a plurality of parameters, which include the power level, the laser spot area, the transverse speed, the bead overlap, and the build layer thickness. The controller is configured to calibrate one or both of the power source and the laser based, at least, on the energy density, and execute, after calibration, toolpath instructions to form the object.