The features of the structure formed during selective laser melting (SLM) on the example of austenitic steel Fe-17%Cr-12%Ni-0.02%C (316L) and nickel alloy Ni-11%Cr-5%Co-6%Al-3%Ti-4%Mo-5%W-0.16%C-0.02%B are considered in this work. The structure formation occurs under conditions of ultrafast cooling rates from the region of the melt during laser treatment and subsequent thermal cycling during solidification of material adjacent regions. The following structural features are considered: hierarchical structure, heterogeneity of the alloying elements distribution, dislocation structure, macrostresses and crystallographic texture. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.