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Generation status overview

During image generation, Open Canva displays status updates so you know what’s happening. Understanding these statuses helps you track progress and know when your image is ready.

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Status stages

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Preparing

What it means: Your request is being set up and validated. What’s happening:
  • Validating your prompt
  • Checking settings
  • Preparing the generation request
  • Uploading reference images (if any)
Typical duration: A few seconds
If this stage takes unusually long, check your internet connection or try refreshing.

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Generating

What it means: The AI is actively creating your image. What’s happening:
  • AI model is processing your prompt
  • Image is being generated step by step
  • This is the main generation phase
Typical duration: 10-30 seconds (varies by model and settings)
This is usually the longest stage. Higher quality settings or more complex prompts may take longer.

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Processing

What it means: Finalizing and preparing your image. What’s happening:
  • Final image processing
  • Quality checks
  • Preparing for display
  • Uploading to storage
Typical duration: A few seconds

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Complete

What it means: Your image is ready! What’s happening:
  • Image is fully generated
  • Available for viewing
  • Ready to download
  • Saved to your session
Your image is now available in your session and ready to use.

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Status indicators

Open Canva provides visual indicators for each status:
  • Progress indicators: Show overall progress
  • Status text: Describes current stage
  • Time estimates: May show expected completion time
  • Animation: Visual feedback during generation

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Understanding timing

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Factors affecting generation time

  1. Model selection: Different models have different speeds
  2. Image size: Larger images take longer
  3. Settings: Higher quality settings increase time
  4. Complexity: More complex prompts may take longer
  5. Server load: Current system load affects speed

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Typical generation times

  • Fast models: 10-15 seconds
  • Standard models: 15-25 seconds
  • High quality: 25-40 seconds
  • Multi-model: Longer (multiple images)

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What to do during generation

Be patient: Generation typically takes 10-30 seconds. Don’t refresh or navigate away.
Monitor progress: Watch the status indicators to track progress.
Prepare next prompt: While waiting, you can prepare your next generation request.

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Troubleshooting status issues

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify your prompt and settings are valid
  • Try refreshing the page
  • Check if there are service notifications
  • Some models/settings naturally take longer
  • Check if you’re using high-quality settings
  • Verify your internet connection is stable
  • Wait a bit longer before assuming an issue
  • Check the error message for details
  • Verify your prompt is valid
  • Check your account limits
  • Try again with different settings
  • Check your session view
  • Refresh the page
  • Look in your session history
  • Contact support if issue persists

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Status notifications

Open Canva may provide notifications about:
  • Generation started: Confirmation your request was received
  • Generation progress: Updates during long generations
  • Generation complete: Alert when your image is ready
  • Errors: Notifications if something goes wrong

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Best practices

Don’t interrupt: Let generation complete. Interrupting may cause the generation to fail.
Monitor but be patient: Watch the status but allow adequate time for completion.
Note timing: Keep track of how long different models/settings take for future reference.

Quickstart Guide

Learn the basics of image generation.

Settings Guide

Understand how settings affect generation time.

Troubleshooting

More help with common issues.

Sessions Guide

Learn how generations are saved to sessions.