Credits, explained
What AI credits pay for, the typical cost of each action in Fast and Smart mode, what is free, and how to keep an eye on your balance.
AI credits are the currency for work that costs real compute: the agent planning and building, generating images, producing renders and drawings. Manual editing, browsing, and asking the router to work out what you mean are not charged.
What is free
- Routing. Working out what kind of request you made is always free.
- Manual tools. Sliders, push/pull handles, the Recipe, the Parameters panel, and the command palette do not use credits.
- Browsing, viewing, sharing.
- Help agent questions in Fast mode. By default they are free in Fast mode, and cost 1 credit in Smart.
- Questions about your model in Fast mode ("how tall is it?", "is this printable without supports?"). By default free in Fast mode and 1 credit in Smart; a change you start from the answer's suggestion button is charged like any edit.
- Slicing in your browser (Make → Print → Slice here). It runs on your computer.
What things cost
| Action | Fast | Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Routing decision | Free | Free |
| Simple agent edit (fillet, resize) | 1 | 2 |
| Multi-step build from a prompt | about 6 (typically 5 to 10) | about 15 (typically 10 to 25) |
| Concept image (each) | 5 | 8 |
| Photo or drawing to model | 10 | 20 |
| Auto drawing sheet | 5 | 8 |
| 4K render | 5 | 5 |
| AI render enhancement | 5 | 8 |
| Verification check (render and compare) | Free | 1 |
| Voice dictation, per minute | 1 | 1 |
| Live voice mode, per minute | 4 | 6 |
| Help agent question | Free | 1 |
| Question about your model (an answer, nothing changes) | Free | 1 |
| Design variant (each finished version) | 5 | 10 |
| Quick simulation (“Will this hold 5 kg?”) | 10 | 10 |
| Slicing on our servers (“slice this for my A1”, or a part too big for the browser) | 2 | 2 |
| Generative design study (“make it lighter but still hold 5 kg”) | 30 | 30 |
| Generated 3D body (a detailed character or figurine from a concept, photos or a description) | 150 (your first one in the trial is free) | 150 (your first one in the trial is free) |
Asking for "3 versions" therefore costs about 15 in Fast or 30 in Smart; versions that don't work out are free. See Variants: try 3 versions and compare. A simulation re-run with a new amount or material is charged again. A generative design study is charged once, only when it delivers at least one verified lighter version (see Generative design: make it lighter, still strong). A generated body is charged once, only when the body is delivered; from a description, the picture drawn first is a normal concept image (see Turning a concept into a detailed 3D body). During the free trial your first generated body is free: it uses no credits, and a failed generation doesn't use it up.
Larger requests can cost more than the typical figure, because the agent does more work. The charge appears with each result.
Smart vs Fast
Fast is cheaper and quicker, and handles most everyday work. Smart is more capable and costs more per action. You switch at any time in the prompt bar, and the effort dial (Quick, Balanced, Thorough) changes how deeply it works. See Smart vs Fast, and how much effort to ask for.
Monthly credits and packs
| Type | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Monthly credits (from your plan) | Reset each month, also on yearly billing. Unused monthly credits do not roll over |
| Credit packs (top-ups) | Bought any time on a paid plan. They carry over |
| Promo credits | Occasionally granted. Treated separately |
The free trial comes with a one-time allowance of 100 credits, plus your first generated 3D body free (normally 150 credits). See Your free trial.
AI on the Free plan
Free has no monthly credits and no credit packs. Credits left over from your trial stay usable until they run out. After that, every AI button is still there, but using one shows a short message, AI needs a subscription, with the plans. Everything that doesn't use AI (sketching, manual edits, exports, the Make step) keeps working. See What happens when your trial ends.
Where to see your balance and history
- A credit meter in the app shows your balance at a glance.
- Account, AI credits lists usage: what you spent, when, and on which action.
- Each agent result shows the credits charged and your remaining balance.
You can reach the credits page quickly: press ⌘K (or Ctrl + K) and type credits.
Rough planning
| You want to... | Rough credits in Fast |
|---|---|
| Build a simple object and tweak it 10 times | 6 + 10 = about 16 |
| Explore looks with two rounds of concept images (8 images) | 40 |
| Turn a sketch into a model and refine | 10 + about 10 = about 20 |
| Make a drawing sheet | 5 |
| Do a 20-minute Live voice chat | about 80 |
Use these as a feel for scale, not a promise. Live voice is the biggest credit user per minute, so treat it as a thinking tool and switch to typing for precise edits.
Getting more from your credits
- Start in Fast. Escalate to Smart for hard requests.
- Be specific. A clear request is less likely to need a retry.
- Use Tweak when a result is close, instead of starting a new request.
- Use the sliders for numbers you can change yourself.
- Ask questions with routing, which is free.
- Explore in Concept before building things you may discard.
- End Live voice sessions when you pause to think.
Limits and safeguards
- Credit checks run before expensive operations, so you are not surprised halfway through.
- There are rate limits to protect accounts and keep the service fast for everyone.
- On per-seat plans (Maker, Pro, Team) every seat adds its monthly credits to one pool the whole workspace shares.
Try it
Check where your credits went. Press ⌘K, type credits, and open AI credits. Find your most expensive action, and ask yourself: could Fast mode have done it?
Did this help?
Keep reading
Start here
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