Abstract: A free-form, three-dimensional, solid-phase object (30) is produced from droplets (24) of liquid-phase material having appreciable surface tension and well-defined solidification properties. The liquid-phase material is ejected from an ejection head (20) in discrete droplets onto a substrate (98). The temperature, frequency, size, and trajectory of the droplets and the relative speed of motion between the substrate and the ejection head are adjusted to compensate for the physical properties of the liquid-phase material and the heat dissipation characteristics of the growing object to form a desired object (212).