Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for use in the stepwise, layer by layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects, in which a build material contains a metal having a covalent bond to a non-metal, and the layers are processed to produce the three-dimensional object at least in part through a chemical reaction which alters the covalent bond of the metal. In a first aspect of the invention the build material includes a metal that is covalently bound to a polymeric precursor. In another aspect of the invention, the build material includes a metal, Me, that is covalently bound to a first ligand, L.sub.1. Following deposition of the build material, the first ligand undergoes a redox reaction with a second ligand, L.sub.2, thereby breaking the covalent bond of the metal. In more preferred embodiments of this class, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 react to form a gas, and the metal reacts to form an oxide such as MeSO.sub.x, MeNO.sub.x, MeCO.sub.x and so forth.