This　paper　presents　an　improved　algorithm　to　generating　support　structure　for　3D　printing　model.　Firstly,　the　candidate　regions　are　obtained　from　the　shadow　area　in　each　layer.　Secondly,　the　maximal　random　points　sampling　in　anchor　map　is　implemented　by　the　Poisson　disk　sampling.　Thirdly,　the　support　structure　is　generated　in　each　layer　according　to　the　sampling　points　for　the　3D　model.　The　experimental　results　compared　with　state-of-the-art　algorithm　show　that　the　proposed　algorithm　can　save　about　5–20　%　support　sticks.　©　Springer　International　Publishing　Switzerland　2015.