Tracking Usage

Understanding Usage Logs

Usage logs record changes to your filament's remaining weight. Each log entry has:

• Delta: The change in grams (negative for usage, positive for additions)
• Timestamp: When the change occurred
• Note: Optional description or context

The computed remaining weight is calculated as:

Base remaining weight + sum of all log deltas

This system preserves your complete usage history while automatically maintaining the current weight.

Creating a Usage Log

Opening the Log Form

On iOS/iPadOS

1. Select a filament from the sidebar
2. In the detail view, tap "Log Usage"
3. Or long-press the filament and select "Log Usage" from the context menu

On macOS

1. Select a filament from the sidebar
2. Click "Log Usage" in the detail view
3. Or right-click the filament and select "Log Usage"

Recording Filament Usage

Use this when you've completed a print and want to log how much filament was consumed.

1. Type: Leave as "Usage" (the default)
2. Amount: Enter the grams used (e.g., 35)
   • Enter the positive number - the app automatically makes it negative
   • Get this from your slicer's report or printer display
3. Note (optional): Add context like:
   • Part name: "Printed bracket for X project"
   • Print details: "Benchy test print"
   • Issues: "Failed print - spaghetti"
4. Preview: Watch the "New remaining" value update as you type
5. Tap "Done" to save

Warning: If the amount exceeds the current remaining weight, you'll see an orange "Exceeds available" warning. You can still save the entry - the remaining weight will just go to zero or negative.

Recording Filament Additions

Use this when you add material to a spool, such as:

• Merging a partial spool into this one
• Refilling a recyclable spool
• Correcting an incorrect previous entry

1. Type: Switch to "Addition"
2. Amount: Enter the grams added (e.g., 150)
3. Note (optional): Describe the addition:
   • "Merged partial spool"
   • "Added material from partial"
   • "Correction for previous entry"
4. Tap "Done" to save

Viewing Usage History

The usage log table shows all entries for the selected filament.

Table Columns

• Date: When the entry was created
• Delta: The change in grams
  • Red negative values indicate usage (e.g., -35g)
  • Green positive values indicate additions (e.g., +150g)
• Remaining: The computed remaining weight after this entry
• Note: Optional description

Table Features

Sorting (macOS)

Click column headers to sort by:

• Date (ascending/descending)
• Delta amount
• Remaining weight

Search

On both platforms, use the search field above the table to filter by note content.

Export (macOS)

Export your usage data as CSV for analysis in spreadsheet applications.

Understanding the Remaining Weight

Where It's Displayed

The remaining weight appears in several places:

• Filament detail view: Shows current computed weight
• Filament row (iOS): Shows weight in grams
• Weight section: Shows remaining vs. spool capacity

Progress Indicator

If you've set a spool weight capacity, you'll see:

• A progress bar showing remaining percentage
• Color coding:
  • Green: Plenty of filament (> 30%)
  • Yellow: Getting low (10-30%)
  • Red: Nearly empty (< 10%)

Negative Remaining Weight

It's possible for the remaining weight to go negative if you:

• Log more usage than was available
• Had an incorrect initial weight
• Merged spools incorrectly

To fix: Create an addition entry to bring it back to the correct amount, or edit the base remaining weight field on the filament.

Common Scenarios

After a Print

Your slicer estimates you used 42g for a print:

1. Open Log Usage for the filament
2. Type 42 in the amount field
3. Optionally add a note like "Printed phone stand"
4. Save

Your remaining weight automatically decreases by 42g.

Merging Partial Spools

You have two partial spools of the same material and combine them:

For the spool you're keeping:

1. Weigh the other spool or estimate its weight (e.g., 150g)
2. Open Log Usage
3. Switch to "Addition"
4. Enter 150
5. Add note: "Merged partial spool"
6. Save

For the empty spool:

• Either delete it or mark it as empty by logging usage for all remaining weight

Correcting Mistakes

You logged 100g usage but meant to log 50g:

Option 1 - Add correction:

1. Create an addition entry for 50g
2. Note: "Correction - logged too much usage"

Option 2 - Delete and re-enter:

1. Delete the incorrect entry from the usage log table
2. Create a new entry with the correct amount

Option 3 - Edit base weight:

1. Edit the filament
2. Adjust the "Remaining Weight" field directly
3. Note: This doesn't preserve history

New Spool of Existing Material

You buy a new 1kg spool of a filament you already have:

1. Don't log this as an addition to the old spool
2. Instead, duplicate the filament
3. Set the remaining weight to 1000g on the duplicate
4. Now you have two separate tracking records

Tips for Accurate Tracking

Check Slicer Reports

Modern slicers provide accurate filament usage estimates:

• PrusaSlicer: Check the bottom info panel or G-code summary
• OrcaSlicer: Look at the print stats
• Cura: Check the preparation panel
• Bambu Studio: View the plate information

Weigh Spools Periodically

For maximum accuracy:

1. Weigh the full spool before a print
2. Weigh it after the print
3. Calculate the difference
4. Log the actual usage amount

This accounts for:

• Purge towers and waste
• Failed prints and restarts
• Calibration and testing

Log Regularly

Log usage soon after each print while the details are fresh. This makes notes more meaningful and prevents forgotten prints.

Use Notes Effectively

Good note examples:

• "Phone stand - 4 hour print"
• "Failed print - layer shift at 60%"
• "Benchy calibration test"
• "Merged 145g partial spool from garage"

Notes help you:

• Remember what you printed
• Understand usage patterns
• Track print failures
• Document spool changes

Monitor Low Spools

Keep an eye on filaments below 200g (or your typical print amount):

• They might not have enough for your next print
• Consider reordering before they run out
• Useful for planning multi-spool prints

Bulk Operations (macOS)

On macOS, you can select multiple log entries and:

• Delete them together
• Export selected entries
• Copy data to clipboard

This is useful for cleaning up test entries or exporting specific time periods.

Usage Analytics

While Spool Buddy doesn't include built-in analytics, you can:

1. Export to CSV (macOS): Analyze in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets
2. Track patterns: Review notes to see what you print most
3. Calculate costs: Multiply usage by filament cost per gram
4. Plan purchases: Identify fast-depleting materials

Troubleshooting

Remaining Weight Seems Wrong

1. Check the base remaining weight in the filament details
2. Review usage log entries for errors
3. Edit or delete incorrect entries
4. Add a correction entry if needed

Can't Add Usage Log

Make sure:

• The filament is selected in the sidebar
• You've entered a positive amount
• The app has saved your filament properly (try force-quitting and reopening)

Log Entry Disappeared

Check if:

• Filters are active in the search field
• You're viewing the correct filament
• The app has synced (wait a moment for iCloud sync)

If the entry is truly missing, you may need to recreate it.