An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory on which is stored instructions that are to cause the processor to: control at least one photonic fusing energy source, able to flash heat an area of the layer during a single flash, to apply energy at a certain low energy level onto a layer of metallic particles, wherein the metallic particles have micron-level dimensions, and application of the certain low energy level sinters the metallic particles and causes formation of physical connections between adjacent ones of the metallic particles; and control the at least one energy source to apply energy at a certain high energy level onto the layer of metallic particles after application of energy at the certain low energy level, wherein application of the certain high energy level energy melts and fuses the sintered metallic particles; and wherein: the stored instructions are to cause the processor to identify the certain low energy level and the certain high energy level to be used based upon determined or input information pertaining to the metallic particles, such as the type of metal, the particle sizes, and/or the distribution of the metallic particles, to cause a predefined level of sintering and melting of the metallic particles; and the certain low energy level and certain high energy level are applied by irradiating an area of the layer of the metallic particles. a processor; a memory on which is stored instructions that are to cause the processor to: control at least one photonic fusing energy source, able to flash heat an area of the layer during a single flash, to apply energy at a certain low energy level onto a layer of metallic particles, wherein the metallic particles have micron-level dimensions, and application of the certain low energy level sinters the metallic particles and causes formation of physical connections between adjacent ones of the metallic particles; and control the at least one energy source to apply energy at a certain high energy level onto the layer of metallic particles after application of energy at the certain low energy level, wherein application of the certain high energy level energy melts and fuses the sintered metallic particles; and wherein: the stored instructions are to cause the processor to identify the certain low energy level and the certain high energy level to be used based upon determined or input information pertaining to the metallic particles, such as the type of metal, the particle sizes, and/or the distribution of the metallic particles, to cause a predefined level of sintering and melting of the metallic particles; and the certain low energy level and certain high energy level are applied by irradiating an area of the layer of the metallic particles. control at least one photonic fusing energy source, able to flash heat an area of the layer during a single flash, to apply energy at a certain low energy level onto a layer of metallic particles, wherein the metallic particles have micron-level dimensions, and application of the certain low energy level sinters the metallic particles and causes formation of physical connections between adjacent ones of the metallic particles; and control the at least one energy source to apply energy at a certain high energy level onto the layer of metallic particles after application of energy at the certain low energy level, wherein application of the certain high energy level energy melts and fuses the sintered metallic particles; and wherein: the stored instructions are to cause the processor to identify the certain low energy level and the certain high energy level to be used based upon determined or input information pertaining to the metallic particles, such as the type of metal, the particle sizes, and/or the distribution of the metallic particles, to cause a predefined level of sintering and melting of the metallic particles; and the certain low energy level and certain high energy level are applied by irradiating an area of the layer of the metallic particles. the stored instructions are to cause the processor to identify the certain low energy level and the certain high energy level to be used based upon determined or input information pertaining to the metallic particles, such as the type of metal, the particle sizes, and/or the distribution of the metallic particles, to cause a predefined level of sintering and melting of the metallic particles; and the certain low energy level and certain high energy level are applied by irradiating an area of the layer of the metallic particles.