When a number of mutually related technologies are applied in order to fabricate some physical objects using the CAD data source as its basis, the object created is called Rapid prototype. The method is unique. In fact it bonds materials into layers for fabricating the objects. The method is known by several nomenclatures like additive fabrication, 3-D printing, the solid freedom fabrication, and also as the layered manufacturing.

Use of this prototyping method has several notable advantages over the use of the traditional subtractive fabrication methods. Examples of subtractive methods are milling and turning. One of the greatest advantages is that with the prototyping system, you can form objects having any geometric complexity. For such manufacturing you do not require elaborate machinery set ups or converging onto the final assembling process.

Multiple materials can be used to form such objects. They can be used individually or as combinations. You have the flexibility of varying the materials used according to your specifications and choice at any location in that object. The other great advantage of using the prototypes is that you save a lot of time and cut down your costs considerably with the method.

You can also look at this from the reverse angle of disadvantages of the subtractive fabrication. Unlike the subtractive fabrication, additive or as you call it, the prototyping method reduces complex objects into manageable straightforward objects. The process is much faster in comparison to the subtractive fabrication. That is why you often come across the terms like Worlds fastest rapid prototyping when you use the method.