Tips and Tricks

Organization Strategies

Naming Conventions

While Spool Buddy auto-generates filament names, you control the color component. Use consistent patterns:

By Manufacturer Name

Follow the manufacturer's official color names:

• "Prusament Galaxy Black"
• "Bambu Lab Cardinal Red"
• "eSUN Fire Engine Red"

Pros: Easy to reorder exact colors
Cons: Names can be long or unclear

By Simple Description

Use straightforward color descriptions:

• "Black"
• "Matte White"
• "Dark Blue"

Pros: Short, scannable names
Cons: Hard to distinguish similar colors

By Use Case

Name by intended use or project:

• "Logo Red"
• "Enclosure Black"
• "Prototype Gray"

Pros: Quickly find project-specific materials
Cons: Same filament may have multiple uses

By Batch or Purchase Date

Include purchase info:

• "Black - Oct 2024"
• "Red - Batch A"

Pros: Track age and quality differences
Cons: Doesn't help identify visually

Recommendation: Start with simple descriptions, then add manufacturer names if you have duplicates.

Tracking Multiple Spools of the Same Material

When you have multiple identical spools:

1. Duplicate the filament entry for each physical spool
2. Add distinguishing info to the color name:
   • "Galaxy Black - Spool 1"
   • "Galaxy Black - Spool 2"
3. Or use the part number field:
   • "Galaxy Black" with part number "A001"
   • "Galaxy Black" with part number "A002"

This gives you:

• Separate weight tracking for each spool
• Individual usage history
• Clear view of total inventory

Managing Partial Spools

You have three options for partial spools:

Option 1: Keep Separate

• Maintain separate entries for each partial
• Track them individually until empty
• Delete when depleted

Best for: Different colors or materials

Option 2: Merge

1. Weigh the partial spool
2. Open the main spool's usage log
3. Create an "Addition" entry for the weight
4. Add note: "Merged partial spool"
5. Delete the partial spool entry

Best for: Identical material, consolidating inventory

Option 3: Refill Tracking

• Keep one entry as "Master"
• Add others to it as they're used
• Note remaining weight of partials

Best for: Tracking total inventory across multiple locations

Workflow Tips

After Receiving New Filament

1. Unbox and inspect

   • Check for damage
   • Note if vacuum-sealed or exposed

2. Add to Spool Buddy

   • Use brand selection or add new brand
   • Select correct polymer and modifiers
   • Use color picker or enter hex codes
   • Set spool weight (usually 1000g)
   • Set remaining weight to match spool weight

3. Dry if needed (see Drying Logs)

   • Check if hygroscopic material
   • Dry if not vacuum sealed
   • Log the drying session

4. Label the physical spool (optional)

   • Write color name on spool
   • Add date received
   • Makes matching physical to digital easy

Before Starting a Print

1. Search for the filament in Spool Buddy
2. Check remaining weight
   • Ensure enough for the print
   • Add buffer for purge/waste (10-20g)
3. Check last drying date
   • Dry if needed for hygroscopic materials
4. Note the weight needed from your slicer
   • You'll log this after the print

After Completing a Print

1. Get usage from slicer

   • Check slicer report or printer display
   • Include waste/purge if shown separately

2. Log usage immediately

   • Open the filament in Spool Buddy
   • Tap "Log Usage"
   • Enter the amount
   • Add note about what you printed

3. Update physical label (optional)

   • Write new remaining weight on spool
   • Helps if you're away from devices

Weekly/Monthly Reviews

Set aside time to:

1. Review low stock

   • Check filaments below 200g
   • Reorder favorites before they run out
   • Delete empty spools

2. Verify weights

   • Spot-check a few spools by weighing
   • Adjust if significantly off
   • Add correction entries if needed

3. Clean up

   • Delete finished spools
   • Merge partials if desired
   • Archive projects notes

4. Plan purchases

   • Review what materials you use most
   • Check for gaps in your collection
   • Note colors you need

Usage Logging Best Practices

Detailed Notes

Good note examples:

Phone stand for desk setup
Replacement bracket for printer - PLA-CF worked perfectly
Calibration cube - layer adhesion excellent
FAILED - warped at 60% due to draft
Gift for Sarah - dragon model

These notes help you:

• Remember what you printed
• Track which materials work for which projects
• Identify print issues
• Find files you might want to reprint

Track Failures

Log usage even for failed prints:

• Helps track actual filament consumption
• Notes can explain what went wrong
• Build knowledge about material challenges

Example note: "Failed at 70% - poor bed adhesion, need to adjust temp"

Batch Logging

If you print multiple small items:

• Add up the total usage
• Log once with combined amount
• List items in the note

Example:

• Amount: 87g
• Note: "Cookie cutters x4, coaster x2, small organizer"

Regular Logging

Don't let logs pile up:

• Log soon after each print
• Details are fresh
• Prevents forgotten prints
• Keeps weight accurate

Search and Filter Techniques

Quick Material Search

Instead of scrolling, search by:

• Polymer: Type "PLA", "PETG", etc.
• Modifier: Type "carbon", "silk", "glow"
• Brand: Type "prusament", "bambu"

The list filters instantly.

Filter Combinations

Create specific views:

• All black PLA: Filter by PLA + search "black"
• Flexible materials: Filter by TPU, TPE
• Specialty filaments: Filter by modifiers like "glow", "wood"
• By brand: Filter by "Prusament" to see only those spools

Finding Candidates for Projects

Starting a new print? Filter by:

1. Polymer type needed for strength/flexibility
2. Color range if it matters
3. Remaining weight sufficient for the print

Example: Need strong black material for a 150g print

• Filter: PETG or PLA-CF or Nylon
• Search: "black"
• Check remaining weight > 150g

Color Management

Using the Color Picker

The visual color picker is faster than typing hex codes:

1. Drag the crosshair to approximate color
2. Adjust brightness slider
3. Fine-tune if needed
4. Auto-names will be generated

Multi-Color Filaments

For gradient or rainbow filaments:

1. Add 2+ hex codes representing the color range
2. The auto-name will show "Gradient"
3. Optionally override with specific color name

Example for sunset gradient:

• Add #FF6B6B (red)
• Add #FFA500 (orange)
• Add #FFD700 (yellow)
• Auto-name: "Gradient"
• Custom: "Sunset Gradient"

Matching Hex Codes

If you need exact color matching:

1. Take photo of the filament
2. Use online color picker tools
3. Get hex code
4. Enter in Spool Buddy

Or:

1. Check manufacturer's website
2. Product pages sometimes list RGB/hex values
3. Convert RGB to hex if needed

Keyboard Shortcuts (macOS)

Global Shortcuts

• ⌘N - Add new filament (from anywhere in app)
• ⌘F - Focus search field
• ⌘T - Open new window
• ⌘W - Close window

Navigation

• ⌘1 - Focus sidebar
• ⌘2 - Focus detail view
• ⌘3 - Focus usage logs
• ↑/↓ - Navigate filament list

Forms

• ⌘S or ⌘↩ - Save form
• Esc - Cancel form
• Tab - Next field
• ⇧Tab - Previous field

Multi-Platform Workflows

Use the Right Device for the Job

iPhone

• Quick checks at the printer
• Log usage right after prints
• Add new filament when unboxing

iPad

• Detailed entry with side-by-side slicer
• Reviewing usage logs comfortably
• Planning print sessions

Mac

• Initial inventory setup (faster typing)
• Bulk operations
• Detailed notes and documentation
• Export/analysis (if features added)

Sync-First Mindset

• Start edits on whatever device is handy
• Changes propagate automatically
• Pick up where you left off on another device
• No need to plan which device to use

Inventory Management

Track What Matters

You don't need to track:

• Every sample or test spool
• Filament you'll finish in one print
• Support material you buy frequently

Focus on:

• Main inventory spools
• Specialty materials
• Expensive filaments
• Materials you reorder

Reorder Thresholds

Establish personal thresholds:

• Critical favorites: Reorder at 300g
• Nice to have: Reorder at 100g
• Specialty/expensive: Reorder only when needed
• Slow movers: Use up completely before reordering

Cost Tracking

While Spool Buddy doesn't track cost:

• Use part number field for cost: "PLA-BLK $20"
• Keep notes in other apps
• Track manually: (Cost ÷ Spool Weight) × Usage = Cost per print

Example: $25 for 1000g spool

• Cost per gram: $0.025
• 50g print costs: $1.25

Maintenance and Cleanup

Regular Cleanup

Every few weeks:

1. Delete empty spools

   • No longer useful
   • Keeps list focused

2. Merge similar entries (if you want)

   • Multiple partials of same material
   • Consolidate tracking

3. Verify remaining weights

   • Spot check by weighing
   • Adjust if way off

4. Review notes

   • Fix typos
   • Add missing context

Annual Review

Once a year:

1. Assess collection

   • What did you use most?
   • What never gets used?
   • What failed frequently?

2. Purge old filament

   • Materials degrade over time
   • Especially PLA, TPU, Nylon
   • If prints fail, might be age

3. Plan next year

   • Buy more of what you use
   • Avoid buying more of what sits
   • Try new materials strategically

Advanced Techniques

Material Testing Log

Use notes to track print settings:

Filament: PETG Ocean Blue
Usage: 45g
Note: Benchy test - 240°C, 80° bed, 50mm/s, excellent results

Usage: 120g
Note: Functional part - 250°C, 90° bed, slower speeds, layer adhesion improved

Build a reference for each material.

Project Tracking

Use notes to track projects over multiple prints:

Usage: 65g
Note: Robot arm - part 1/5

Usage: 80g
Note: Robot arm - part 2/5

Usage: 95g
Note: Robot arm - part 3/5 - increased infill

Sum up usage when project completes.

Color Coordination

Filter by color family for multi-color prints:

1. Search "blue" to see all blues
2. Search "red" for all reds
3. Visually compare hex codes/swatches
4. Pick complementary colors

Bed Adhesion Notes

Track which materials work on which surfaces:

Note: First layer on textured PEI - perfect
Note: Smooth PEI with glue stick - good
Note: Glass + hairspray - okay but hard to remove

Build knowledge over time.

Troubleshooting Workflows

Filament Not Printing Well

1. Check drying log - when was it last dried?
2. Check usage log notes - did it print well before?
3. Check age - when was it added?
4. Consider storage - has it been exposed to moisture?

Can't Find a Filament

1. Clear all filters
2. Clear search
3. Check if deleted on another device (sync)
4. Browse by polymer type
5. Search by brand or modifier

Usage Doesn't Match Reality

1. Review recent usage logs
2. Check for errors or duplicates
3. Weigh the spool
4. Add correction entry if needed
5. Update base remaining weight

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

1. Check this documentation - Most questions are answered here
2. Contact support - support@spoolbuddy.app
3. Visit website - spoolbuddy.app
4. Check for updates - New versions fix bugs and add features

Include in support requests:

• What you were trying to do
• What happened instead
• Device and OS version
• Screenshots if applicable

Community Tips

Share Your System

If you develop a great workflow:

• Write it down
• Share with fellow makers
• Iterate and improve

Learn from Others

Check how other users organize:

• Maker communities
• 3D printing forums
• Reddit threads
• Social media

Different approaches work for different people.

Feature Requests

Have ideas for improving Spool Buddy?

• Send them to support@spoolbuddy.app
• Be specific about the use case
• Explain the benefit
• Others may want the same thing

Final Tips

1. Start simple - Don't overoptimize early, use basic features first
2. Stay consistent - Pick naming/logging patterns and stick with them
3. Log regularly - Keep usage current, details fade quickly
4. Trust the sync - Let iCloud handle multi-device complexity
5. Adjust as needed - Your workflow will evolve with your needs

Spool Buddy is a tool to serve your 3D printing workflow. Use it in whatever way makes your life easier.