Skip to main content

Costume Footwear Series: 3D Printed Shoes

Printing your own shoes is a slowly growing hobby, but it can be a bit dubious because 3D printing can be finicky and it could be dangerous. Most beginner friendly 3D shoes include slides, flip-flops, or sneakers. There are a few high heels that I have seen, but when it comes to shoe making, this is a style of shoe that is difficult to design properly and safely even in regular shoemaking. 

Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of 3D printed shoes: 

  • Accurate replication of shoe parts
  • Durable material, suitable for outdoor or indoor use
  • Flexible to firm
  • Orthopedic Friendly
  • Many files available
Drawbacks
  • Flexible filament difficult to print with for beginners
  • May need a specialized 3D printer
  • Can be more expensive for simple style shoes (Think, A few dollars for a pair of flip-flops versus one you print yourself that have a high investment cost.) 
  • Disconnect between digital and physical models
  • Takes a LONG time to print a shoe

What you need to 3D Print Shoes

An FDM printer with enough print volume for your shoe size and an extruder close to the hotend/nozzle (if printing with TPU)
TPU 75a - 95a 
TPU High Speed 70a - 95a
Flexible PLA*
Patience

*Reportedly can be printed with a bowden tube style FDM printer instead of the direct one. 

Note: Some parts of a shoe can be printed with hardened plastics like PLA, ABS, or PETG or even resin. Particularly armor parts, spurs, charms or other non-flexible things. Just keep in mind that the foot is a very flexy part of the body and anything that doesn't bend may break. 

How I approach 3D printed Shoes

For costumes I'm likely going to make a fabric or yarn shoe over a completely 3D printed shoe. I only look to 3D print a sole or insole when it comes to shoes. 3D printing gives me a nice firm but flexible base similar to EVA foam...but I don't have to cut. 

So far I have made a pair of knitting soles for a pair of slippers. But I am also making a pair of zori sandals. I shall update with more on that later. 

Here are links to the knitting soles I printed: 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one.  Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon,  So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license.  Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers.  Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors.  This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions.  Color Like I said earlier, the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakama Series - Split Leg Hakama

This is the classic style that you likely think of when you hear the word "Hakama". Very wide-legged pleated trousers worn by swordsmen and warriors. Admittedly these are "modern" hakama. There are variations based on historical time period and social status. But these should suit most cases.  So, lets go over how to make them!  You will see examples of this in many games and Anime but some faves of mine include: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Demon Slayer, XXXholic, Hell's Paradise and Genshin Impact.  UPDATE 4/10/2024: I've redone all my instructions. Now that I've actually made a pair of hakama and found some more resources, I felt this needed updating.  From Chihirohowe's Guide Design Elements Color For modern or fantasy character design, no limits to color! You can also use print fabric and add designs! Historically, these would be a solid color and often have a neutral color scheme (white, grey, black, brown). More colorful hakama were usually worn ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Becoming a Kitsune: Masks and Makeup

One of the most iconic accessories for Kitsune characters (or skilled swordsmen) is the fox mask. To be fair, this likely is mostly associated with Japanese Kitsune, but they do not hold the monopoly on fox fairy creatures.  I don't think it'll fit right. LOL! Mask Considerations For your own costume, regardless of the culture of origin, the common features to consider are:  Mask Size  How much of your face will the mask cover? Will it go over your whole head like fursuit head?  Or is it meant to be more of a decoration that sits on your head or off your waist?  This will determine how much material you need to use and how to incorporate the mask into the costume. Full Face Mask   Half Face Mask Basic Mask Shape This may sound confusing but what I mean here is if the shape of the mask will resemble the features of a fox closely or take on a more human shape with fox features.  Leather Fox Masks from Etsy . Basically, will the mask have a snout or look ...
Post a Comment
Read more