1. A method for printing a three-dimensional part in an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising: receiving a digital model of the three-dimensional part to a computer, wherein the digital model is provided in a coordinate system having a plurality of coordinate axes, and has a surface geometry; calculating surface plane angles relative to one or more of the coordinate axes with the computer as a function of surface area of the surface geometry; calculating a build score for each of the one or more coordinate axes with the computer, wherein the build score is calculated as a function of the calculated surface plane angles; and selecting an orientation for the digital model in the coordinate system based at least in part on the calculated build scores.