A method for producing a three-dimensional object on a support by applying layer by layer and selectively solidifying a building material in powder form. The method includes lowering the support to a predetermined height below a working plane, applying a layer of the building material in powder form in the working plane, selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be produced and repeating the steps of lowering, applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. By doing so, the quantity of applied building material in powder form is reduced in a section in an actively controlled way or substantially no building material in powder form is applied in a section in an actively controlled way.