Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why would you ever want to shrink down shoes if you can't even wear them?" Well, DuaneShootsToys came up with a creative answer to that question: they're not for him, they're for his action figures.

As an Action Figure Photographer, Duane has been widely recognized for his viral videos and photos. Many of his shoots involve pop culture icons and references which also involve footwear! While there are already miniature shoes that you can purchase for your action figures online, Duane figured he would try his hand at reproducing shoes from his own personal collection in miniature form. To achieve this, Duane used a combination of 3D Scanning and 3D Printing technology.

3D Scanning the Shoes

Using the Revopoint Pop 2 Handheld 3D Scanner and a turntable base, Duane was able to capture incredibly accurate and detailed 3D Scans for this project. By making sure to turn the shoe and scan the top as well as the bottom, Duane was able to minimalize any errors that might occur during the scanning and meshing process. The shoes Duane decided to scan were the Nike Blazer, Adidas Ozelia and the Nike Air Jordan 1.

Modifying the Files for 3D Printing

From there, Duane was easily able to modify the 3d files using Meshmixer so they would be compatible with his action figures. Once edited, Duane was able to slice the files and move them to his Resin 3D Printer. Duane chose to use the BASF Ultracur3D FL60 Flexible resin for it's elasticity and ability to bend without breaking, all while retaining it's original shape and details. To contrast this, Duane also 3D printed another set of sneakers using the Phrozen Water Washable Resin which would remain rigid, but involves less clean up as water washable resin can be cleaned with regular tap water instead of alcohol.

Adding the Finishing Touches

After testing the prints, Duane was then able to prime and hand paint his models. For some of the more small and intricate details, Duane printed out miniature designs of the tags and symbols using transparent sticker paper (waterslide decals would also work) and stuck them on VERY carefully.

The Results

Duane printed his shoes in 1/6th scale for his 12" action figures, and 1/12th scale for his 6-7" action figures, but realistically you can print them to any scale. As you can see from the photos, the results speak for themselves.

What's Next?

With the project now complete, Duane's Action Figures are ready for their next photoshoot! Keep an eye out for more projects from @DuaneShootsToys on his Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube pages!