a method of manufacturing a three - dimensional object facilitates removal of the three - dimensional object from the platen on which the object was formed . the method includes rotating the platen from a horizontally level position to a position at an angle to the level position to enable gravity to urge the three - dimensional object away from the platen and inductively heating the platen to melt support material at the boundary of the object and the platen to release the three - dimensional object from the platen .