3D printing (3DP) is an emerging additive manufacturing technology, which has carried out a new change in the manufacturing industry and effectively promoted the related development of the intelligent manufacturing industry. However, traditional 3DP has limitations such as low accuracy, poor mechanical properties, and easy collision of nozzles when printing and printed products cannot meet some production needs. This paper begins with the two main types of algorithms used in 3DP technology: the adaptive algorithm and the equal thickness layering algorithm. It then further divides the adaptive algorithm into four categories based on different optimization focus directions. In this paper, the principles, benefits, and drawbacks of various algorithms as well as print order optimization are analyzed, and the prospects of 3DP are discussed. This paper illustrates the performance and improvement effect of hierarchical algorithm and order optimization in 3DP and provides a more comprehensive reference for scholars in the research field of algorithm optimization direction.