Spool Buddy

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Spool Buddy

Spool Buddy is a filament inventory management app for 3D printing enthusiasts. It helps you track your filament spools, monitor usage, and record maintenance like drying sessions. The app syncs across iPhone, iPad, and Mac using iCloud.

Do I need an iCloud account?

Yes, Spool Buddy requires iCloud for data storage and synchronization. Your filament data is stored in your personal iCloud account.

Does Spool Buddy work offline?

You can view and edit your data offline, but changes won't sync to other devices until you have an internet connection. The app requires iCloud to be set up initially.

How much does it cost?

Check the App Store for current pricing. Spool Buddy is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac as a universal purchase.

Is there a free trial?

Check the App Store listing for trial availability. App Store policies determine trial options.

Features

Can I track filament cost?

Not directly. However, you can use the part number field to note costs, or track them separately and multiply your usage by cost per gram.

Can I export my data?

Currently, there's no built-in export feature. This is being considered for future updates.

Can I add photos of my filaments?

Not currently. The color hex codes and auto-generated names serve as visual identification.

Does it support multi-material prints?

Yes, create usage logs for each filament used in the print. Log the amount consumed for each material separately.

Can I track print settings?

Use the notes field in usage logs to record settings like temperature, speed, or any observations about print quality.

Does it track when filament expires?

Not directly, but you can use the creation date as reference. Some materials like PLA and Nylon degrade over time.

Using the App

How do I add my first filament?

Tap the + button (iOS) or press ⌘N (Mac). Fill in brand, polymer type, color name, and hex code. Optionally add modifiers, weight, and diameter. See the Getting Started guide.

What's the difference between spool weight and remaining weight?

Spool weight: The nominal capacity (e.g., 1000g for a 1kg spool)
Remaining weight: The initial amount when you add the filament

The app calculates current remaining weight by adding/subtracting usage logs from the base remaining weight.

Why does the filament name change when I edit modifiers?

Spool Buddy auto-generates display names based on polymer type, modifiers, and your color name. This ensures consistent, descriptive names. You control the color component of the name.

How do I track usage?

Select a filament and tap/click "Log Usage". Enter the amount used (from your slicer report), optionally add a note, then save. See Tracking Usage.

Should I log failed prints?

Yes! Log the actual filament consumed. Add a note explaining the failure. This keeps your remaining weight accurate and helps you learn from issues.

How do I dry filament?

Use whatever drying method you have (filament dryer, dehydrator, etc.). Then log the session in Spool Buddy by selecting "Log Drying". See Drying Logs.

What if I have multiple spools of the same filament?

Duplicate the filament entry for each physical spool. This gives each its own weight tracking and usage history. See Managing Filaments.

How do I delete a filament?

iOS: Swipe left on the filament in the sidebar, or long-press and select "Delete"
Mac: Right-click and select "Delete"

Note: This also deletes all usage and drying logs for that filament.

Polymers and Modifiers

What's the difference between PLA and PLA+?

PLA+ is enhanced PLA with better strength, temperature resistance, and layer adhesion. It's slightly harder to print but offers improved mechanical properties.

Which modifier should I choose for my filament?

Add modifiers that are relevant:

Filler modifiers (Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber): Affect strength and print settings
Visual modifiers (Matte, Silk, Glow): Affect appearance
Hardness (for TPU): Indicates flexibility

Don't overthink it - add what's meaningful to you.

What if my polymer isn't listed?

The app includes 30+ polymer types from common to industrial. If yours is missing, choose the closest match or contact support with a feature request.

My filament has carbon fiber but I don't see it in the name

Check that you selected the "Carbon Fiber" modifier. The auto-generated name includes the first filler modifier with a common name (e.g., CF, GF, Kevlar).

What does the "common name" mean for modifiers?

Some modifiers have abbreviated common names used in the industry:

Carbon Fiber → CF
Glass Fiber → GF
Aramid Fiber → Kevlar
Shore 95A → 95A

These appear in the auto-generated filament name.

Syncing

Why aren't my changes appearing on my other device?

Common causes:

Sync hasn't completed yet (wait 1-2 minutes)
Not connected to internet
Different iCloud accounts
iCloud storage full
iCloud Drive disabled

See the Syncing guide for troubleshooting steps.

Not currently. Each iCloud account has its own separate inventory. Sharing features are not available.

What if I delete something by mistake?

Unfortunately, there's no undo or trash. Deleted filaments and logs are gone permanently. You'll need to recreate them manually.

How do I turn off sync?

You can't disable sync while using the app - it's designed as sync-first. If you don't want multi-device sync, simply don't install the app on other devices.

My data isn't syncing and I need to reset

As a last resort:

Export important data manually (take notes or screenshots)
Sign out of iCloud on one device
Delete and reinstall the app
Sign back into iCloud
Let it sync from other devices

Contact support before doing this.

Technical Issues

The app keeps crashing

Update to the latest version
Restart your device
Ensure iOS/macOS is up to date
Check available storage space
Contact support with details

I can't log usage for a filament

Make sure:

The filament is selected in the sidebar
You're entering a positive number
You have internet connectivity (for sync)
Try force-quitting and reopening the app

Colors look different on different devices

Display calibration varies between devices (iPhone vs iPad vs Mac). The hex codes are the same, but screens display them differently. This is normal.

The app is slow

Check:

Available device storage
iCloud sync status (syncing can slow things temporarily)
Number of filaments (thousands of entries may impact performance)
Update to latest version

I found a bug

Please report it to support@spoolbuddy.app with:

What you were doing
What happened vs what you expected
Device and OS version
Screenshots if applicable

Data and Privacy

Where is my data stored?

In your personal iCloud account, using Apple's CloudKit infrastructure. It's encrypted and private to you.

Can the developer see my data?

No. Your data is stored in your iCloud account and is private. The developer has no access to your inventory.

Is my data backed up?

It's as backed up as your iCloud account. iCloud provides redundancy, but there's no separate backup file. Consider taking notes or screenshots of critical information.

What happens if I uninstall the app?

Your data remains in iCloud. If you reinstall, your inventory will sync back. To permanently delete data, you'd need to delete it from the app first, then uninstall.

Does the app collect analytics?

Check the app's privacy policy on the App Store for details about data collection practices.

Workflow Questions

Should I weigh my filament or trust the slicer?

Slicer estimates are usually accurate and convenient. Use these for most prints.

Weighing gives exact measurements. Useful for:

Expensive materials
Checking if slicer estimates are accurate
Accounting for failed prints and restarts

How often should I dry my filament?

Depends on material and environment:

Nylon, TPU, PC: Dry before every print if stored in open air
PETG: Dry if prints show moisture issues or stored weeks
PLA: Only if stored long-term in humidity

See Drying Logs for detailed guidance.

Should I track sample spools?

Up to you:

Track: If you might reorder or want to compare brands
Skip: If it's a one-time test and will be used immediately

Focus on your main inventory.

How detailed should my usage notes be?

As detailed as useful to you. Examples:

Minimal: "Phone stand"
Detailed: "Phone stand for desk - 4hr print at 220°C - excellent quality"

More detail helps you reference later, but don't overthink it.

Purchasing and Support

I bought on iPhone - can I use on Mac?

Yes! Spool Buddy is a universal purchase. Buy once, use on iPhone, iPad, and Mac (with the same Apple ID).

How do I contact support?

Email: support@spoolbuddy.app

Include details about your issue, device info, and screenshots if relevant.

Can I request a feature?

Yes! Send feature requests to support@spoolbuddy.app. Be specific about the use case and benefit.

Where can I learn more?

Documentation: This site (you're reading it!)
Website: spoolbuddy.app
App Store: Read the description and reviews

Future Features

Will there be an export feature?

Export to CSV or other formats is being considered for future updates. Check for app updates.

Will you add [specific feature]?

The app is actively developed. Feature requests are welcomed at support@spoolbuddy.app. Common requests are prioritized.

Will there be a web version?

No plans currently. The app is designed for Apple platforms with deep system integration.

Can you add shared inventories for teams/makerspaces?

This is a complex feature. It's being considered but not currently in development.

Troubleshooting Specific Scenarios

I merged partial spools but the weight is wrong

Check the usage logs - make sure the addition entry is correct
Verify you logged it as "Addition" not "Usage"
Weigh the physical spool to verify actual weight
Add a correction entry if needed

My filament list is empty after updating

Wait a few minutes for sync to complete. If still empty:

Check that you're signed into the same iCloud account
Force-quit and reopen the app
Check internet connection
Contact support if issue persists

The hex color picker doesn't match my filament

The picker is an approximation tool. For exact matching:

Use an external color picker (photo + online tool)
Get the hex code
Type it manually in the hex field

Duplicate filaments appeared

Rarely happens if you add the same filament on multiple devices simultaneously. Simply delete the duplicate entry.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn't answered here:

Check the relevant guide sections
Try the Quick Reference
Contact support@spoolbuddy.app

The documentation is comprehensive and searchable - use the search function to find specific topics.

General Questions

What is Spool Buddy?