The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises nylon-11, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder.The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed.Compared with moldings composed of conventional powders, the moldings constructed using the inventive powder by one of the inventive processes exhibit marked advantages in terms of component properties, particularly surface finish. There are also improvements here in processing and in recycling capability when comparison is made with conventional polyamide powders.