Understanding Generative AI Credits: Which Tools Cost Nothing and Which Tools Drain Your Budget

Navigating the world of AI-powered editing tools can be confusing when you're unsure which features consume credits and which are free to use. Many powerful AI functions don't require any credits at all, while others can quickly exhaust your monthly allowance depending on which models and settings you choose.

This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly which tools use credits, how many they consume, and smart strategies to maximize your editing power without burning through your budget unnecessarily.

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Practical Tips

Here are key strategies to manage your credits effectively while getting the best results:

• Use the Remove Tool with AI turned off first — it often produces acceptable results without consuming any credits
• Check credit costs by hovering over the information icon in the Properties panel before generating
• Start with traditional selection tools and AI-powered masks, which use no credits regardless of complexity
• Avoid partner models like Gemini 3 unless absolutely necessary — they can cost 40 credits per generation compared to 1 credit for Firefly
• Use Generative Expand and object removal strategically since they provide the best value for credit consumption

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