This invention claims a method for creating patterns of carbon or other elements as deposits on the surface of substrates or as self-supporting filaments in liquid or solid media by the selected application of directed energy. In some embodiments, the deposits or filaments may be of primary interest because of their mechanical properties. In other embodiments, the patterns may have useful physical properties such as being electrically conductive, semi-conductive or electric insulators. Many different deposit precursors, types of directed energy, and adjunct reagents are described. The invention anticipates numerous different embodiments created by selecting various combinations of these elements and sequences of application as a means to build complex devices. In particular, the patterns may constitute the elements of an electric circuit or device (e.g., wires, capacitors, diodes, transistors).