Base code

docs-site/docs/features/image-studio/cost-guide.md

@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+# Image Studio Cost Guide
+
+Image Studio uses a credit-based system for all operations. This guide explains the cost structure, estimation, and optimization strategies.
+
+## Credit System Overview
+
+### How Credits Work
+
+- **Credits**: Virtual currency for Image Studio operations
+- **Subscription Tiers**: Different credit allocations per plan
+- **Operation Costs**: Each operation consumes credits
+- **Pre-Flight Validation**: See costs before executing
+- **Transparent Pricing**: Clear cost display for all operations
+
+### Credit Allocation
+
+Credits are allocated based on your subscription tier:
+- **Free Tier**: Limited credits for testing
+- **Basic Tier**: Standard credit allocation
+- **Pro Tier**: Higher credit allocation
+- **Enterprise Tier**: Unlimited or very high allocation
+
+## Operation Costs
+
+### Create Studio Costs
+
+#### By Provider
+
+**Stability AI**:
+- **Ultra**: 8 credits (highest quality)
+- **Core**: 3 credits (standard quality)
+- **SD3.5**: Varies (artistic content)
+
+**WaveSpeed**:
+- **Ideogram V3**: 5-6 credits (photorealistic)
+- **Qwen**: 1-2 credits (fast generation)
+
+**HuggingFace**:
+- **FLUX**: Free tier available, then varies
+
+**Gemini**:
+- **Imagen**: Free tier available, then varies
+
+#### By Quality Level
+
+- **Draft**: 1-2 credits (fast, low cost)
+- **Standard**: 3-5 credits (balanced)
+- **Premium**: 6-8 credits (highest quality)
+
+#### Additional Costs
+
+- **Variations**: Each variation adds to base cost
+- **Batch Generation**: Cost = base cost × number of variations
+- **Dimensions**: Larger images may cost slightly more
+
+### Edit Studio Costs
+
+#### By Operation
+
+- **Remove Background**: 2-3 credits
+- **Inpaint**: 3-4 credits
+- **Outpaint**: 4-5 credits
+- **Search & Replace**: 4-5 credits
+- **Search & Recolor**: 4-5 credits
+- **Replace Background & Relight**: 5-6 credits
+- **General Edit**: 3-5 credits
+
+#### Cost Factors
+
+- **Operation Complexity**: More complex operations cost more
+- **Image Size**: Larger images may cost slightly more
+- **Provider**: Different providers have different costs
+
+### Upscale Studio Costs
+
+#### By Mode
+
+- **Fast (4x)**: 2 credits (~1 second)
+- **Conservative 4K**: 6 credits (preserve style)
+- **Creative 4K**: 6 credits (enhance style)
+
+#### Cost Factors
+
+- **Mode Selection**: Different modes have different costs
+- **Image Size**: Larger source images may cost slightly more
+- **Quality Preset**: Presets don't affect cost
+
+### Social Optimizer Costs
+
+- **Included**: Part of standard Image Studio features
+- **No Additional Cost**: Platform optimization is included
+- **Efficient**: Batch processing is cost-effective
+
+### Asset Library Costs
+
+- **Free**: No cost for asset management
+- **Storage**: Included in subscription
+- **Operations**: Only generation/editing operations cost credits
+
+## Cost Estimation
+
+### Pre-Flight Validation
+
+Before any operation, Image Studio shows:
+- **Estimated Cost**: Credits required
+- **Subscription Check**: Validates your tier
+- **Credit Balance**: Shows available credits
+- **Cost Breakdown**: Detailed cost information
+
+### Estimation Accuracy
+
+- **Create Studio**: Very accurate (known provider costs)
+- **Edit Studio**: Accurate (operation-based costs)
+- **Upscale Studio**: Accurate (mode-based costs)
+- **Batch Operations**: Cost = base × quantity
+
+### Viewing Estimates
+
+1. **Before Generation**: Cost shown in Create Studio
+2. **Before Editing**: Cost shown in Edit Studio
+3. **Before Upscaling**: Cost shown in Upscale Studio
+4. **Operation Button**: Shows cost estimate
+
+## Cost Optimization Strategies
+
+### For Create Studio
+
+1. **Use Draft for Testing**: Test concepts with low-cost Draft quality
+2. **Batch Efficiently**: Generate multiple variations in one request
+3. **Choose Appropriate Quality**: Don't use Premium for quick previews
+4. **Use Templates**: Templates optimize for cost-effectiveness
+5. **Provider Selection**: Use cost-effective providers when appropriate
+
+### For Edit Studio
+
+1. **Edit Strategically**: Only edit when necessary
+2. **Combine Operations**: Plan edits to minimize operations
+3. **Use Masks Efficiently**: Precise masks reduce need for re-editing
+4. **Test First**: Use low-cost operations for testing
+
+### For Upscale Studio
+
+1. **Upscale Selectively**: Only upscale best images
+2. **Use Fast Mode**: Fast mode for quick previews
+3. **Choose Mode Wisely**: Don't use Creative if Conservative is sufficient
+4. **Batch Upscaling**: Process multiple images efficiently
+
+### General Strategies
+
+1. **Plan Ahead**: Estimate costs before starting
+2. **Iterate Efficiently**: Test with low-cost options first
+3. **Reuse Assets**: Don't regenerate similar content
+4. **Monitor Usage**: Track costs in Asset Library
+5. **Optimize Workflows**: Use efficient workflow patterns
+
+## Cost Examples
+
+### Example 1: Social Media Campaign
+
+**Scenario**: Create 5 images for Instagram, edit 3, optimize for 3 platforms
+
+**Costs**:
+- Create 5 images (Standard): 5 × 4 = 20 credits
+- Edit 3 images (Remove Background): 3 × 3 = 9 credits
+- Social Optimizer: 0 credits (included)
+- **Total**: 29 credits
+
+### Example 2: Blog Featured Image
+
+**Scenario**: Create featured image, upscale, optimize for social
+
+**Costs**:
+- Create 1 image (Premium): 6 credits
+- Upscale (Conservative): 6 credits
+- Social Optimizer: 0 credits (included)
+- **Total**: 12 credits
+
+### Example 3: Product Photography
+
+**Scenario**: Create product image, remove background, create 3 color variations
+
+**Costs**:
+- Create 1 image (Premium): 6 credits
+- Remove Background: 3 credits
+- Search & Recolor (3 variations): 3 × 4 = 12 credits
+- **Total**: 21 credits
+
+### Example 4: Content Library
+
+**Scenario**: Generate 20 images (Draft), edit 10 favorites, upscale 5 best
+
+**Costs**:
+- Create 20 images (Draft): 20 × 2 = 40 credits
+- Edit 10 images (various): 10 × 4 = 40 credits
+- Upscale 5 images (Fast): 5 × 2 = 10 credits
+- **Total**: 90 credits
+
+## Subscription Tiers
+
+### Free Tier
+- **Credits**: Limited allocation
+- **Best For**: Testing, learning, low-volume
+- **Limitations**: Rate limits, basic features
+
+### Basic Tier
+- **Credits**: Standard allocation
+- **Best For**: Regular use, standard content
+- **Features**: Full access to all modules
+
+### Pro Tier
+- **Credits**: Higher allocation
+- **Best For**: Professional use, high-volume
+- **Features**: Premium quality, priority processing
+
+### Enterprise Tier
+- **Credits**: Unlimited or very high
+- **Best For**: Enterprise, agencies, high-volume
+- **Features**: All features, priority support
+
+## Cost Monitoring
+
+### Asset Library Tracking
+
+- **Cost Display**: See cost for each asset
+- **Usage Tracking**: Monitor total costs
+- **Performance Analysis**: Track cost per asset type
+- **Optimization Insights**: Identify cost-saving opportunities
+
+### Best Practices
+
+1. **Regular Review**: Check costs regularly
+2. **Identify Patterns**: Find cost-saving patterns
+3. **Optimize Workflows**: Adjust workflows based on costs
+4. **Plan Budget**: Allocate credits for campaigns
+
+## Cost Optimization Tips
+
+### Quick Wins
+
+1. **Use Draft Quality**: For testing and iterations
+2. **Batch Operations**: Process multiple items together
+3. **Reuse Assets**: Don't regenerate similar content
+4. **Choose Providers Wisely**: Use cost-effective providers
+5. **Edit Strategically**: Only edit when necessary
+
+### Advanced Strategies
+
+1. **Workflow Optimization**: Use efficient workflow patterns
+2. **Quality Matching**: Match quality to use case
+3. **Provider Selection**: Choose providers based on cost/quality
+4. **Template Usage**: Use templates for optimization
+5. **Asset Reuse**: Build library for future use
+
+## Troubleshooting Costs
+
+### Common Issues
+
+**High Costs**:
+- Review quality levels used
+- Check number of variations
+- Consider using Draft for testing
+- Optimize workflows
+
+**Unexpected Costs**:
+- Check operation costs before executing
+- Review batch operation costs
+- Verify subscription tier
+- Check credit balance
+
+**Cost Estimation Issues**:
+- Verify operation selection
+- Check provider costs
+- Review quality level
+- Confirm batch quantities
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- See [Create Studio Guide](create-studio.md) for generation costs
+- Check [Workflow Guide](workflow-guide.md) for cost-efficient workflows
+- Review [Providers Guide](providers.md) for provider costs
+
+---
+
+*For technical details, see the [Implementation Overview](implementation-overview.md). For API usage, see the [API Reference](api-reference.md).*
+