Abstract Directed light fabrication (DLF) is an additive processing method that fuses metal powders, delivered by inert gas into the focal zone of a high powered laser beam, to form a fully dense metal deposit. Computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) was used to simulate and specify the metal deposition process for the formation of a three dimensional part using Inconel alloy 690. This study demonstrates the ability to directly fabricate a complex, near net shaped object using a DLF machine with an alloy that is difficult and costly to fabricate using conventional processing methods. The fabrication of a monolithic hexagonal shape with through holes is described with the associated CAD/CAM additive processing case study, metallographic examination, and part characterization. The deposition of a fully dense nickel base alloy component was performed and achieved a high degree of dimensional accuracy. A comparison between the DLF deposited shape and the original part definition illustrates that near-net-shape tolerance levels are attainable within a 0.1 mm envelope. The single step production of fully dense, near net shaped, three dimensional metal parts directly from a computer based manufacturing model is compared with conventional processing methods currently available. As a result, significant process flexibility — beyond that of conventional processing capabilities is recognized — with potentially lower production costs, higher quality components, and the realization of higher performance designs.