Abstract: Design data are input for an object to be additively manufactured and to be optimised in terms of a physical optimisation target is provided. A volumetric model of the object is initialised with a material distribution according to the design data, the volumetric model having a plurality of volume elements. A respective local target property relating to the optimisation target is then determined for volume elements of the volumetric model, based on the material distribution. According to embodiments of the invention, each volume element is checked to determine whether the volume element is supported in terms of additive manufacturing. Based on this, the target property of this volume element is modified in such a way that it approaches the target property if it is supported and/or moves away from the optimisation target if it is not supported.