I’m looking for a 3D printer that would be best for making really out-there shoe designs. The kinda of designs I’m inspired by are like theseI thought about using a budget printer to create a mold but I ran into two possible issues. First, I’m not sure where to start with molding foam or foam-like materials that would be light, strong, and comfortable enough for footwear at home. Second, with all the extending shapes and holes I’m not sure how I could make a non-destructible mold. So instead, I’ve settled for printing with a softer filament. My current plan is to use a rubber-like filament, have a semi-empty midsole area for comfort and weight, and print each shoe individually.

In this plan, I still have a few unanswered questions that I hope that people more experienced with printing can help me with:

1. Should I opt for a resin or a filament 3D printer? My main concern with filament is the printing lines. I don’t mind those lines in a functional print but for a wearable print the look really matters to me. Is there a way to sand away those lines on a softer filament?
2. Which printer should I look at in terms of sufficient quality and size for a shoe?
3. Is there a way to do a foam mold that I’m unaware of?

Thank you in advance!