A method for setting properties of a three-dimensional object in an additive manufacturing process, e.g. 3D-Printing, in which data representing a three-dimensional object to be printed is obtained. The data comprises sub-volumes representing the three-dimensional object. The position of the sub-volumes in the three-dimensional object is identifyied by a positional pomponent, i.e. a location depth and an orientation angle. A characteristic for the three-dimensional object to be printed is identified or set by the user. The property data is set for individual sub-volumes to be used in printing the three-dimensional object based on the identified characteristic and positional component. The property data comprises material property data, structural property data and printing property data.