A polymeric article of high ductility produced by rapid prototyping or selective laser sintering, and a method of making the same. The article comprises a plurality of layers of a fused thermoplastic powder, the thermoplastic powder comprising asymmetric fibrous particles having a mean length L and a mean width W, wherein L>2 W. Within each of the layers, the mean length L of the asymmetric fibrous particles is preferentially oriented in a plane parallel to the layer. The polymeric article has a stress-strain curve such that ultimate strength is reached at a strain of 10% to 20%, and breaking stress is reached at >30% strain.