Introduction
Basic Workflow Overview
- Use Gensole to design your insole, moving through the tabs 1-4.
- Define profile shape of insole (a blank).
- Import a foot scan stl file (ascii not binary).
- Position foot scan model within the insole blank.
- Shape insole upper surface to foot scan model (Solemorph).
- Generate multiple density zones, or import pre-defined .dxf curves.
- Use Gensole to create an AMF file for the 3D printing slicing programme called Slic3r.
- Import AMF file into Slic3r and slice.
- 3D Print.
Requirements
For Design
- Your personal foot scan stl model (or you can use the demo footscan model in the Gensole Megapack below).
- Stl file must have the extension .stl not .STL
- Stl file must be Ascii format and not Binary.
- Stl file must be in mm units not cm, metres or inches.
- A Chrome web browser connection to Gensole, see Known Issues below.
For 3D Printing
- Access to an FDM 3D printer that can print with flexible filaments.
- Slic3r software installed (tested up to version 1.2.9).
- A Slic3r settings profile that works for your choice of flexible filament and 3D printer.
Example Resources
You can download the Gensole Megapack below which contains a “Gensole Bundle” (Tab 1), shoe profiles (Tab 2), example foot scans (Tab 3), DXF zones if required and some Slic3r AMFs and configurations :
A Gensole Bundle is a “save” file created in Tab 4 of Gensole. Essentially it is only a .zip file which contains all the necessary data which can be imported again in Tab 1 at a later time to re-generate the model. Inside the zip file, there will be everything Gensole needs.
Starting Gensole
Click the Launch icon on the main page. You will need to create an email login (while beta) to progress into the software.
Instructions
Once you are in take a look at this instructional video :
Create an Insole Profile from an Existing Shoe
Every foot is different, every shoe is different, every manufacturer adopts their own techniques and variations in size width etc, which is why we all test fit our shoes before buying them. Therefor it is almost impossible to provide a range of templates inside Gensole that would fit every shoe out there.
The route for Gensole has been to create a user adjustable profile that can be generated to fit their own shoe shape. Paper templates can be printed and cut out to test fit inside a shoe then profile adjustments can be made and the cycle repeated quickly until you are happy.
If you have removable insoles already in your shoes then you can remove and trace around them onto paper or card so you can take a few simple measurements.
Alternatively, cut out a piece of stiff card so that you can get it to fit nicely inside your shoe and then trace around this onto some paper.
Please familiarise yourself with these parameter names and the points P1-P6 below, also available as a PDF :
- You will need to mark on the profile that you have just traced, the points P1 through to P6 shown.
- Draw the datum line of the insole between P1 and P2 which are points on the extreme ends of the insole that define the length. This will be an important line which will help you measure all the dimensions.
- Draw lines perpendicular from the central datum line out to points P3,P4, P5 and if required P6 (not always necessary).
- Mark the centres of the Toe Radius and the Heel Radius on the datum line.
- Now that all the geometry of the insole is defined, it is time to take the measurements in mm from your marked out drawing. It is easier to take the length measurements along the datum line to the intersecting lines from P3 and P4.
You should have something like this :
You can now type these values into Gensole when on Tab 2. Once entered you can print off the PDF download for a test fit and make necessary adjustments. I would also recommend downloading this profile as a shoe template incase you want to use it again or build up your own library :
How to create Orthotics with Gensole
There is no ability to add orthotic corrections to the insole, however Gensole will match to a footscan, therefore change the footscan first and you can introduce corrective properties. The following video is providing ideas for the professional podiatrist who will know what is required when deforming the footscan :
Known Issues
Chrome Browser : Tested and recommended on Chrome browser.
Safari : There is a known problem initiating the Javascript downloads.
Mozilla : Will save the .zip bundle (Tab 4) but is unable to download shoe profiles and pdf profiles as well as the .AMF, sorry but we are looking into this.