With the development of rapid prototyping (RP) technology, the research interests change to direct manufacturing of metal parts with functions. The application fields of RP are expanded to the areas of aerospace, medical, motor vehicle, mould, etc. According to the characteristics of selective laser melting (SLM) applicable for rapid manufacturing of fine-structured and small-lot metal parts, powder materials, process, control, applications and affect factors are studied and discussed by combining the research work of the author′s group. The status-in-art, problems and developing prospect of SLM technology are also discussed.