# Managing Credits Effectively Fater's AI features operate on a primary **Credit** system, supplemented by a **Free Tool Use Energy** system for specific utility actions. Understanding how these work together will help you maximize your creative output and manage your resources. *(For details on how plans are purchased to acquire main Credits, see the* [Billing & Subscription](/fater-ai-docs/billing-and-subscription.md) *page.)* *** ### Main AI Credits * **Consumption:** * Generating an **image** with any AI model in the **Image Editor** (e.g., Text-to-Image, Inpainting, Upscaling, Controlled Generation) typically costs **1 Main Credit** per generated image output. * Generating a **3D asset** in the **Asset Editor** costs **1 Main Credit** per generated asset. * Generating a **video** in the **Video Editor** may cost **more than 1 Main Credit** per video, depending on the model and settings like duration. Specific costs for video models will be indicated or can be found in the AI Model Directory. * **"Number of Generations":** If you set the "Number of Generations" parameter (e.g., in the Image Editor) to produce multiple outputs from a single prompt (e.g., 4 images), this will consume credits accordingly (e.g., 4 images x 1 credit/image = 4 Main Credits). * **Monitoring Balance:** Your organization's current Main Credit balance is visible in the **Credits Display** on your Dashboard and within the "My Organisation" tab. *** ### Free Tool Use Energy & Utility Actions (Work in Progress - currently consumes credits) To encourage precise preparation and iteration *between* your main AI generations, Fater includes a "Free Tool Use Energy" system for certain quick utility actions. * **How it Works:** * Your account has a **Free Tool Use Energy** pool (e.g., starting at 0, up to a maximum of 20 energy points). * **Refilling Energy:** Each time your organization spends **1 Main Credit** on a generation (image, asset, or video), your Free Tool Use Energy is **refilled back up to its maximum** (e.g., 20 points). * **Consuming Energy:** Specific, fast utility actions consume **1 energy point** per use, instead of a Main Credit. * **Actions Using Free Tool Use Energy (Examples - *****this list will be updated as the feature is fully implemented*****):** * **"Delete Mask Content"** (Trash icon on Inpaint Toolbar): For quick object removal based on a mask. * **"AI Autocut"** (if Extract Masked Area to Layer is used without a mask): For automatic subject segmentation. * **"AI-Powered Masking (Segment Mask)"** (🔍 TextSearch icon on Inpaint Toolbar): For generating mask suggestions from a prompt. * **Interactions with the Agent:** Chatting with the Agent consume this energy. * **Benefit:** This system allows you to frequently use these preparatory and utility tools (like refining masks with AI or quickly removing small blemishes) many times between major credit-spending generations without depleting your main credit balance. It encourages good preparation for more successful main generations. * **Running Out of Energy:** If your Free Tool Use Energy is depleted, you will need to perform a Main Credit-consuming generation to refill it before using these utility actions again. *** ### General Strategies for Effective Resource Management 1. **Prepare Thoroughly with Utility Tools:** Leverage the Free Tool Use Energy system! * Use **AI-Powered Masking** or **Delete Mask Content** multiple times to perfect your selections and clean up areas *before* committing to a full (Main Credit) inpainting or generation. * Consult with the **Agent** to refine prompts or understand features. 2. **Targeted Generation:** * For image editing, use precise **Masks** and adjust the **Generation Area Bounding Box** tightly around your area of interest. This focuses the AI and ensures your Main Credits are spent effectively. 3. **Iterate Smartly on Main Generations:** * Once you get a main generation (image, asset, video) with a composition you like, **lock the Seed**. * Make small adjustments to your prompt or parameters to generate variations, rather than many fully random attempts. 4. **Review Usage (Admins):** * Organisation Admins can review overall credit consumption patterns in the **My Organisation** tab to understand how resources are being used. By understanding both Main Credits and the Free Tool Use Energy system, you can develop an efficient workflow in Fater, making the most of every generation. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://fater.gitbook.io/fater-ai-docs/best-practices/managing-credits-effectively.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.