This part of ISO 17296 describes the process fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing (AM). It also gives an overview of existing process categories, which are not and cannot be exhaustive due to the development of new technologies. This part of ISO 17296 explains how different process categories make use of different types of materials to shape a product's geometry. It also describes which type of material is used in different process categories. Specification of feedstock material and requirements for the parts produced by combinations of different processes and feedstock material will be given in subsequent separate standards and are therefore not covered by this part of ISO 17296. This part of ISO 17296 describes the overreaching principles of these subsequent standards.