In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.