Method of making an object using a deposition control plate

A method and apparatus for making an object comprises repeatedly selectively depositing a material 28 by controlling one or more deposition areas using a deposition control plate 22 comprising one or more apertures and selectively melting the selectively deposited material. Some of the deposited material may be at least partially melted prior to the selective melting. Preferably, the method comprises selectively melting a first part 40 of the material to form a layer of the object and selectively melting a second part 42 to form a layer of a retainer circumscribing the object. A base and cap may be provided wherein the base, cap and layers of the retainer form an environmentally controlled container. The method may further comprise the step of selectively melting a part of the material to define an aperture which forms part of a new deposition control plate. The deposition control plate may be formed by depositing material and selectively melting the deposited material. An apparatus comprising supports for supporting a deposition control plate and an energy source to selectively melt the material are further provided.