# Credits
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/billing/credits
Learn how Open Canva credits work, how each AI generation consumes credits, and how to monitor and manage your monthly credit balance.
## How credits work
Every AI generation in Open Canva costs credits. The cost depends on the model, output type (image vs. video), and resolution. Your plan includes a monthly credit allocation that resets each billing cycle.
### Credit value
1 credit = $0.02 (two cents). A Pro plan with 2,450 credits provides $49 of generation value per month.
## Credit consumption
The generation interface shows an **estimated credit cost** before you generate, so there are no surprises. Costs vary by model -- some models are more compute-intensive than others.
### Factors that affect cost
* **Model**: Different models have different per-generation costs
* **Output type**: Video generation generally costs more than image generation
* **Resolution**: Higher resolution outputs cost more credits
* **Number of images**: Generating multiple images in a batch multiplies the cost
Check the credit estimate in the generation bar before clicking Generate. The estimate accounts for your selected models, count, and settings.
## Monthly allocation
Each plan provides credits that reset on your billing anniversary:
| Plan | Monthly credits | Credit value |
| ---------- | --------------- | ------------ |
| Starter | 50 | \$1.00 |
| Pro | 2,450 | \$49.00 |
| Max | 12,450 | \$249.00 |
| Enterprise | 39,950 | \$799.00 |
## Checking your balance
Your current credit balance is displayed in the app sidebar. You can also see detailed usage breakdowns on the Dashboard.
## What happens when credits run out
When your credits are depleted:
* Generation requests will show an insufficient credits message
* You can upgrade your plan for more credits
* Credits reset automatically at the start of your next billing cycle
Unused credits do not roll over to the next month. Use your allocation each cycle.
## Related guides
Compare plans and credit allocations.
How billing works.
Track your credit usage over time.
Start generating with your credits.
# Billing Overview
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/billing/introduction
Understand how Open Canva billing works, including the credit-based system, subscription plan tiers, and per-generation cost calculations.
## How billing works
Open Canva uses a **credit-based billing system**. Every generation (image or video) costs a certain number of credits. You receive a monthly credit allocation based on your subscription plan, and credits reset each billing cycle.
### Key concepts
* **Credits**: The currency for generations. 1 credit = \$0.02 in value.
* **Monthly allocation**: Each plan includes a set number of credits per month.
* **Per-generation cost**: Each generation deducts credits based on the model used and output type.
## Subscription plans
Open Canva offers four plans to match different usage levels:
| Plan | Monthly credits | Price |
| -------------- | --------------- | ----------- |
| **Starter** | 50 credits | Free |
| **Pro** | 2,450 credits | \$49/month |
| **Max** | 12,450 credits | \$249/month |
| **Enterprise** | 39,950 credits | \$799/month |
See full feature comparison and limits for each plan.
## Checking your balance
Your current credit balance is visible in the app sidebar. The generation interface also shows an estimated credit cost before you generate.
## Payment
Open Canva uses Stripe for secure payment processing. All plans support:
* Credit and debit cards
* Dynamic payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay where available)
* Promotion codes at checkout
Learn how credits are allocated and consumed.
## Related guides
Compare plan tiers and features.
How credits work and what they cost.
Track your usage and spending.
Manage your subscription settings.
# Plans & Features
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/billing/plans
Compare Open Canva subscription plans, monthly credits, feature limits, and entitlements across Starter, Pro, Max, and Enterprise tiers.
## Plan comparison
| Feature | Starter | Pro | Max | Enterprise |
| -------------------------- | -------- | -------- | --------- | ---------- |
| **Monthly credits** | 50 | 2,450 | 12,450 | 39,950 |
| **Price** | Free | \$49/mo | \$249/mo | \$799/mo |
| **Max upscale resolution** | 2K | 8K | 22K | 22K |
| **Storage** | 500 MB | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| **Concurrent jobs** | 1 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| **Video generation** | Up to 5s | Up to 5s | Up to 10s | Unlimited |
| **Image & video upscaler** | -- | Included | Included | Included |
| **Support** | Email | Priority | Priority | Dedicated |
## Starter plan
The Starter plan is free and gives you 50 credits to explore Open Canva. It includes:
* Basic image and video generation
* 20 concurrent generation jobs
* 500 MB storage for uploads and references
* Email support
New accounts receive 50 credits on signup. Credits reset monthly.
## Pro plan
The Pro plan is designed for regular creators who need more capacity:
* 2,450 credits per month (\$49/month)
* Up to 8K upscale resolution
* 10 GB storage
* 20 concurrent generation jobs
* Image and video upscaler
* Priority support
## Max plan
The Max plan is built for power users and teams producing high volumes:
* 12,450 credits per month (\$249/month)
* Up to 22K upscale resolution
* Unlimited storage
* 20 concurrent generation jobs
* Extended video duration (up to 10 seconds)
* Priority support
## Enterprise plan
For organizations with large-scale needs:
* 39,950 credits per month (\$799/month)
* All Max features plus:
* 20 concurrent generation jobs
* Unlimited video duration
* Dedicated support
* Custom usage agreements
## Changing plans
You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time from the billing page in your account settings. When upgrading, the new credit allocation takes effect immediately. When downgrading, the change applies at the start of your next billing cycle.
## Promotion codes
Open Canva supports promotion codes at checkout. Enter your code during the subscription flow to apply discounts.
## Related guides
How billing works in Open Canva.
How credits are consumed per generation.
Track your usage across plans.
See video duration limits by plan.
# April 7–13, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-04-13
Weekly changelog covering multi-format video downloads, email notification preferences, improved credit error messages, and security hardening.
## New features
**Multi-format video downloads** — You can now download generated videos in MP4, GIF, WebP, and PNG formats. Choose the format that works best for your project, whether you need a high-quality video file or a lightweight animation for the web. Learn more in the [video generation guide](/video-generation/introduction).
**Email preferences** — Manage which emails you receive from Open Canva. You can now opt in or out of specific notification types directly from your account settings.
**Invoice and dispute email notifications** — You now receive email notifications for invoice voids, refunds, and payment disputes so you always know the status of your billing activity. See [billing overview](/billing/introduction) for details.
## Updates
**Refreshed branding** — Open Canva has a new set of logos across the website and emails, along with updated homepage copy and trusted-by logos.
**Improved credit error messages** — When a generation fails due to insufficient credits, the error message now clearly explains why and links you to upgrade options. See [credits](/billing/credits) for how credits work.
**Terminology update** — References to "designers" throughout the app have been updated to "creatives" to better reflect the community.
## Bug fixes
* **HD upscaling reliability** — Fixed an issue where HD processing could get stuck. The system now automatically recovers stalled jobs.
* **Video processing stability** — Resolved a crash related to video status tracking that could prevent videos from completing.
* **Session performance** — Fixed a caching issue that could cause slower session loads for some users.
* **Billing entitlements** — Resolved edge cases where plan features were not correctly applied after signup or plan changes.
* **Image batch ordering** — Images in a multi-model batch no longer jump positions while streaming results.
* **Password visibility toggle** — The show/hide password button on the login and signup forms now works reliably.
* **Explore page prompts** — Removed incorrect upgrade prompts that appeared for users already on the Starter plan.
# April 14–20, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-04-20
Weekly changelog covering the generation queue, onboarding tour, image paste for references, mobile carousel, and upscale resolution warnings.
## New features
**Generation queue** — You can now queue multiple generations and let them run concurrently in the background. A floating queue widget shows active and pending jobs so you can keep working while images generate. Learn more in the [image generation guide](/image-generation/introduction).
**Onboarding tour and help hub** — First-time users are greeted with a guided 5-step tour covering the generation interface, multi-model selector, and chat assistant. A new help hub button in the sidebar gives you quick access to the product tour, [documentation](https://docs.opencanva.co), keyboard shortcuts, contact support, and the latest updates. Press `⌘/` to toggle it anytime.
**Image paste for reference images** — You can now paste images directly from your clipboard (including screenshots) into the prompt editor to use as reference images. See [reference images](/image-generation/reference-images) for details.
## Updates
**Mobile-friendly carousel and asset details** — Image and video modals now use a full-screen stacked layout on mobile with swipe navigation and a fixed action footer for a smoother viewing experience.
**Upscale resolution warnings** — The upscaler now shows your plan's resolution limit before you start, so you know exactly what to expect. If the target resolution exceeds your plan, you'll see a clear upgrade prompt instead of an error after the fact. See [image settings](/image-generation/settings) for more on upscaling.
**Smarter chat assistant** — The prompt assistant now uses exact model names in conversation (e.g., "FLUX 2 Max" instead of raw IDs) and reliably applies the correct model, media type, and aspect ratio when you use a suggested plan. Learn more about the [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant).
**Improved sidebar interactions** — Clicking anywhere on a session row in the sidebar now navigates reliably, and notification badges clear instantly when you select a session. Drag-and-drop for folder organization has also been refined.
## Bug fixes
* **Reference image bleed** — Fixed an issue where reference images from one batch could appear on other batches in multi-model generation.
* **Image streaming reliability** — Resolved a timing issue where images could get stuck on "Waiting" if storage completed after the stream closed.
* **Generation button** — Removed the brief cancel state that appeared during generation startup, reducing confusion. The queue system now handles job management.
* **What's New panel** — Fixed a data loading error that caused the What's New section to fail silently on page load.
# April 21–27, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-04-27
Weekly changelog covering the redesigned credits dashboard with extra credit tracking, private signed-URL image storage, and API security hardening.
## New features
**Redesigned credits dashboard** — The [usage page](/dashboard/costs) now displays your extra credits separately from your plan credits, making it easier to see exactly what you have available. Progress bars now scale based on your plan's credit allocation instead of a fixed threshold, and color indicators adjust dynamically so you always know where you stand.
## Updates
**Private image storage** — All generated images and videos are now served through signed URLs instead of public links. Your creations are only accessible to you and anyone you explicitly share them with. This change happens automatically — no action needed on your part.
**Security hardening** — Every API route now uses a unified authentication and authorization layer, strengthening protections across the entire platform. This is part of an ongoing effort to keep your account and data safe.
# April 28 – May 4, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-05-04
Weekly changelog covering v1.1.0: 8-model comparisons, stacked session workflow, archived chat tabs, voice dictation, reasoning effort control, and the new image edit toolbar.
## New features
**Compare up to 8 models per generation** — The per-generation model cap doubled from 4 to 8, so you can line up more side-by-side comparisons in a single run. This applies uniformly to image and video, and the landing page picker now supports multi-select for video too. See [multi-model generation](/image-generation/multi-model).
**Stacked session workflow by default** — New sessions now open in the stacked layout, putting your generation surface, gallery, and chat in a single coherent view. Learn more about [working in sessions](/sessions/introduction).
**Archived chat tabs in every session** — You can keep parallel chat explorations alongside your work. Each session now supports multiple chat tabs that auto-name themselves from your first message, so threads stay organized as you branch ideas. See [sessions](/sessions/introduction) for details.
**Voice dictation in chat** — Speak your prompts directly into the chat input. The new dictation flow transcribes on the fly so you can ideate without typing.
**Reasoning effort control for chat** — A new pill on the chat composer lets you set reasoning effort to Off, Low, Medium, or High. Higher levels give you deeper assistant reasoning when you need it; lower levels keep things snappy. Your choice is remembered per browser. See the [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant).
**Image edit toolbar (Phase 1)** — A new in-canvas toolbar adds crop, split-grid, and download actions directly to your generated images, so quick edits no longer need a round trip to another tool.
**Free trial support** — New users can start a free trial to try premium features before picking a plan. See [plans](/billing/plans) for what's included.
**Cross-device preferences** — Generation preferences (model, aspect ratio, video defaults, and more) now sync to your account, so your setup follows you between devices. See [settings](/image-generation/settings).
**In-app notifications** — A new notification broadcast system delivers product updates and important account messages directly inside the app.
## Updates
**Inline outpaint controls** — Outpaint now lives on the canvas surface with a slider, directional arrows, prompt input, and generate/cancel controls — replacing the old drag-handle popover for a more direct editing experience.
**New Mux video player** — Video playback was rewritten on the official Mux player, giving cleaner autoplay, posters, and interaction handling, plus fewer console errors. See the [video generation guide](/video-generation/introduction).
**Animated preview length preference** — A new `gifMaxFrames` preference lets you limit the frame budget for new animated video thumbnails. Manage it from your generation settings.
**Image-first gallery** — The persistent model badge on each card was moved into a hover toolbar, paired with the provider icon. The masonry grid was also tightened so artwork leads, not labels.
**Auto-named chat tabs** — Chat tabs now derive a 3-word title from your first message, making it faster to scan parallel threads.
**Streamlined generation toolbar** — Model selector ordering was prioritized for the most-used controls, and the input scroll area was reworked so long prompts no longer push the toolbar around.
## Bug fixes
* **Toolbar text bleed-through** — Long prompts no longer leak visually behind the model selector and settings pills.
* **Outpainted images in history** — Outpainted results now render correctly in the generation history view.
* **Session intro prompt flicker** — Fixed a race where the intro prompt could be wiped mid-stream while chat tabs were still resolving.
* **Assist image plan ratios** — Malformed aspect ratios from the assistant are now handled gracefully instead of failing the plan.
* **Prompt history & local sessions** — Prompt history linkage and local auth sessions are now preserved correctly across sign-ins.
# May 5–11, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-05-11
Weekly changelog covering model sets, image editing tools, in-app notifications, ledger-based credit tracking, and multi-provider generation routing.
## New features
**Model sets** — You can now save groups of models as reusable sets. Create a set with your go-to models and switch between them in one click, instead of selecting each model individually for every session. See [multi-model generation](/image-generation/multi-model) for details.
**Image editing tools** — A new toolbar appears when you hover over generated images, giving you quick access to crop and split-grid actions directly in your session. No need to download and re-upload — edit your images right where you created them.
**In-app notifications** — A new notification system delivers product announcements and updates directly inside the app. You'll see a badge in the sidebar when something new is available, so you never miss an important update.
## Updates
**More accurate credit tracking** — Credits are now tracked through a ledger-based system that records every transaction with a running balance. This gives you a more precise and transparent view of how your credits are spent. Check the [credits page](/billing/credits) for details.
**Faster image generation** — Open Canva now routes generation requests across multiple providers automatically, picking the fastest available path for each model. You don't need to change anything — generations simply complete sooner.
**Realtime session sync** — Session updates now use authenticated realtime connections, so changes sync more reliably across tabs and devices.
# May 12–18, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-05-18
Weekly changelog covering AI-powered media search, 3D model generation, expanded video and image models, and generation queue reliability improvements.
## New features
**AI-powered media search** — You can now search your generated images and videos by describing what you're looking for. Type a natural-language query into the search bar and Open Canva finds matching results across your sessions and asset library. Works in the sidebar, session search, and gallery. See [organizing sessions](/sessions/organizing) for details.
**3D model generation** — Open Canva now supports 3D asset generation. Create 3D objects from text prompts or reference images using models like Meshy, Trellis, and TripoSR. This opens up new creative workflows beyond flat images and video. Check the [models page](/image-generation/models) for the full list.
**Expanded video models** — Seven new video models are now available: PixVerse V6, Kling O3 Pro, Sora 2 Pro, Sora 2 Remix, Veo 3.1 Lite, and Grok Imagine with edit, extend, and reference modes. Each brings different strengths for video creation. See the [video generation guide](/video-generation/introduction) for details.
**New image models** — Three new image models have been added: ReconviaGen, SAM-3.1, and Wan-2.7. Explore them from the model selector in any session. See the [models page](/image-generation/models) for capabilities and recommended use cases.
## Updates
**More reliable generation queue** — The generation queue now recovers gracefully from connection interruptions. If your browser loses connectivity mid-generation, the queue automatically reconnects and resumes tracking your jobs without losing progress.
**Improved gallery browsing** — The gallery and asset library have been refined with a dedicated search bar, date-grouped layouts, and exploration breadcrumbs so you can navigate your creations more efficiently.
# May 19–25, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-05-25
Weekly changelog covering session thumbnail previews, Topaz video upscaling, new generation models, subscription trials, and prompt editor improvements.
## New features
**Session thumbnail previews** — Hover over any session or folder in the sidebar or search modal to see a masonry preview of your recent generations. Images and video GIF thumbnails appear in a popover so you can visually identify sessions without opening them. Learn more about [organizing sessions](/sessions/organizing).
**Topaz video upscaling** — You can now upscale videos directly inside Open Canva. Upload a video and enhance its resolution using Topaz, with full support for various video formats and durations.
**New generation models** — Five new models are available: Flux 2 Klein, Grok Video, Sora Pro, Phota, and LTX Retake. Each brings new capabilities for image and video creation. See the [models page](/image-generation/models) for details.
**Subscription trials** — Paid plans now offer a free trial period. You can try a plan before committing, and the trial converts to a regular subscription automatically when it ends. See [plans](/billing/plans) for details.
## Updates
**Smarter prompt enhancement** — The prompt assistant now factors in which model you have selected, producing more targeted and effective prompt suggestions. See [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) for details.
**Paste-to-generate fix** — Pasting text into the prompt editor now correctly activates the generate button. Previously, pasting could bypass the editor's change detection in some browsers.
## Bug fixes
**Videos no longer auto-play with sound** — Opening a video in the carousel no longer plays audio automatically. Sound only activates when you interact with the player controls.
**Sidebar flicker on login** — The session sidebar no longer flickers or shifts layout when you first log in. Spinners and menu icons now share the same visual slot, eliminating jank during active generations.
**Long prompts no longer obscure controls** — Very long prompts in the generation bar are now properly contained so they don't cover the generate button or other controls.
# May 26 – June 1, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-06-01
Weekly changelog covering promotion codes at checkout, expanded payment methods, an interactive product demo, and accessibility improvements.
## New features
**Promotion codes at checkout** — You can now apply promotion codes and coupons when subscribing to a paid plan. Enter your code on the checkout page to receive a discount. See [plans](/billing/plans) for available options.
**Expanded payment methods** — Checkout now supports additional payment methods beyond credit cards, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other region-specific options. The available methods are detected automatically based on your browser and location.
**Interactive product demo** — The landing page now features an interactive demo that lets you explore Open Canva's generation interface before signing up. Try different prompts and see how the tool works without creating an account.
## Updates
**Improved accessibility** — Dialogs and modals across the app now include proper screen reader descriptions, making Open Canva more usable with assistive technologies. This covers the image carousel, session management, billing, and settings interfaces.
**More reliable realtime sync** — Session updates now use a more secure authentication method for realtime connections, reducing disconnects and improving sync reliability across tabs and devices.
**Billing emails always delivered** — Critical billing notifications — including payment confirmations, failed charges, and subscription changes — are now always sent regardless of your email preference settings. You can still manage other notification types from your account settings. See [billing](/billing/introduction) for details.
## Bug fixes
**Generation edge cases** — Fixed several edge cases where generation requests could fail silently when switching between plans or using certain model and aspect ratio combinations.
**Subscription plan matching** — Resolved an issue where plan features were not applied correctly when multiple plans shared similar identifiers, ensuring your entitlements always reflect your current subscription.
# June 2–8, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-06-08
Weekly changelog covering the redesigned assistant interface with dockable layout, plan tool for guided generation, and improved queue touch targets.
## New features
**Redesigned assistant interface** — The AI assistant now uses a unified generation island that works the same way across chat and session views. You can dock the assistant panel to the left or right side of your canvas, giving you more control over your workspace layout. Your layout preference is saved to your account automatically.
**Plan tool for guided generation** — The assistant can now build a generation plan before creating images or videos. Describe what you want, and the assistant suggests models, settings, and prompts you can review and adjust before generating. This replaces the old prompt questionnaire with a faster, more transparent workflow.
**Multi-model chat generation** — You can now generate images and videos with multiple models directly from the chat interface, with the same batch controls available in sessions. Video model selection also supports multi-select, so you can compare outputs across models in a single request.
## Updates
**Better onboarding in chat** — The chat empty state now walks you through a three-step flow: add reference images, describe your idea, and build a plan. Quick-start buttons help you jump into common generation tasks without typing a prompt from scratch.
**Larger queue controls** — Touch targets on queue item actions (edit, promote, delete) have been increased for easier interaction, especially on touch devices.
# June 9–15, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-06-15
Weekly changelog covering style presets in the assistant, smarter plan-aware entitlements, video plan support, and credit estimation consistency.
## New features
**Style presets in the assistant** — The plan tool now includes a visual style picker that lets you browse and apply style presets (like Ideogram's cinematic, anime, and design styles) directly from the chat interface. Each preset shows a preview image so you can see what to expect before generating.
**Entitlement-aware generation** — The assistant and generation interface now check your plan's entitlements in real time. If a model or feature requires a higher tier, you'll see a clear upgrade prompt instead of a confusing error after generation starts. Video models are automatically filtered for users without video generation access.
## Updates
**Streamlined chat tools** — The assistant's toolbar has been simplified to show only the Plan tool, reducing clutter and making it easier to start a generation plan. Tool labels display fully on hover so nothing gets cut off, and the Plan button disables while the assistant is processing to prevent duplicate requests.
**Video support in plans** — The plan tool now fully supports video generation. When you apply a video plan, the generation bar automatically switches to video mode with the correct model, aspect ratio, and settings. Video-specific settings are filtered to only show options your selected model supports. Learn more in the [video generation guide](/video-generation/introduction).
**Consistent credit estimates** — Credit estimates now match everywhere you see them — plan cards, the generation interface, and billing pages all use the same calculation. Previously, plan cards could show a different cost than the generation bar for the same configuration. See [credits](/billing/credits) for how costs are calculated.
**Smoother chat scrolling** — The chat now auto-follows new messages as they stream in. A scroll-to-bottom button appears when you scroll up, and the view stops at the last assistant message instead of jumping past it when streaming ends.
## Bug fixes
* **Plan card display** — Completed plan cards are now read-only with a clear "Apply" action instead of showing edit controls that didn't work after the plan was generated.
* **Model names in plans** — Plan cards now show friendly model names (e.g., "FLUX 2 Max") instead of raw internal identifiers.
* **Sidebar stability** — The sidebar no longer collapses unexpectedly when navigating between sessions.
* **Batch deletion** — Deleting a batch of images now correctly clears all related data, fixing a case where thumbnails could linger after deletion.
# June 16–22, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-06-22
Weekly changelog covering saved user generation preferences, smarter credit usage indicators on the dashboard, and Topaz video upscaling fixes.
## New features
**Saved user preferences** — Your preferred settings are now saved to your account and applied automatically across sessions. Set your default theme, generation model, aspect ratio, video settings, and notification preferences once in the new [Settings > Preferences](https://app.opencanva.co) page, and every new session starts with your configuration. Preferences sync across devices so you get a consistent experience wherever you log in.
## Updates
**Smarter credit indicators** — The credits widget in the sidebar and on the [usage page](/billing/credits) now reflects your plan credits separately from purchased extra credits. The color indicator is based on how much of your monthly plan allowance remains (green → amber → red), so you always know where you stand. If you've purchased extra credits, they appear as a distinct bar so it's clear which balance is which.
**Better video upscaling reliability** — Video upscaling with Topaz now handles a wider range of source formats and upload methods more reliably. Improvements include better resolution detection for uploaded videos and more consistent pricing thresholds across different video qualities.
## Bug fixes
* **Sidebar rendering** — Fixed a rendering glitch that could leave a stray character in the sidebar navigation.
* **Billing email delivery** — Billing notifications (payment confirmations, failed charges, subscription changes) are now guaranteed to send regardless of your email notification preferences.
# June 23–29, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-06-29
Weekly changelog covering video-aware prompt enhancement, Replicate multi-provider routing, and video upscaling stability improvements.
## New features
**Video-aware prompt enhancement** — The [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) now optimizes your prompts differently for each video model. Kling prompts gain cinematic vocabulary and camera motion cues, Sora prompts use natural-language enrichment without injecting camera instructions, MiniMax prompts skip enhancement when the model's own optimizer is active, and Veo prompts are structured with subject, context, action, and style fields. Other video models get a balanced default. This happens automatically when you enhance a prompt with a video model selected.
## Updates
**Multi-provider generation routing** — Image generation now routes requests across both fal and Replicate providers. The system picks the right provider for each model automatically, so models like Runway Gen-4 Image that run on Replicate complete inline instead of waiting for a webhook. Cancelling a generation also routes to the correct provider. You don't need to change anything — the right path is selected for you.
**Stronger video upscaling pipeline** — Topaz video upscaling now handles more source formats, supports uploads alongside generated videos, and detects resolution more reliably. Mux-hosted videos prefer the MP4 rendition for upscaling, and pricing thresholds are consistent across quality levels.
## Bug fixes
* **Prompt enhancement validation** — Fixed an issue where video duration and quality settings could be missing from the enhancement context, leading to generic results instead of model-specific ones.
* **Generation cancellation** — Cancelling a generation now correctly cleans up on the right provider, preventing orphaned jobs that could consume credits.
# June 30 – July 6, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-07-06
Weekly changelog covering faster chat performance, smoother dashboard rendering, improved sidebar responsiveness, and UI polish across sessions.
## Updates
**Faster chat experience** — The chat interface is now significantly snappier. Messages, tool cards, and streaming responses render with less overhead, so conversations feel instant even in long sessions with many generations. This is especially noticeable when reviewing plans or working with multiple models at once.
**Smoother dashboard** — The latest generations section on your dashboard now updates without triggering unnecessary re-renders, making the page feel more responsive when new images and videos appear.
**Improved sidebar performance** — The sessions sidebar now loads and scrolls more efficiently, particularly when you have many sessions or folders. Selecting and navigating between sessions feels noticeably faster.
## Bug fixes
* **Hero image loading** — Optimized how images load on the landing page, reducing layout shift and improving initial page speed.
* **Tool draft sync** — Fixed an issue where the assistant's tool drafts could briefly flash stale content during streaming, causing visual jitter in plan cards.
# July 7–13, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-07-13
Weekly changelog covering the new image editing toolbar, in-app notifications, token-based usage tracking, and generation reliability improvements.
## New features
**Image editing toolbar** — You can now crop and split-grid your generated images directly inside a session. Select any image and use the new editing toolbar to crop to a custom region or split a single image into a 2×2 grid of separate outputs. Edited images are saved alongside the originals so you never lose your source. Learn more about [image generation settings](/image-generation/settings).
**In-app notifications** — A new notification bell in the header keeps you informed about completed generations, credit updates, and platform announcements without leaving your session. Notifications sync in real time across tabs, and you can dismiss them individually or mark all as read.
**Token-based usage tracking** — Your [usage dashboard](/dashboard/metrics) now tracks generation activity with a ledger-based token system. Each generation deducts tokens from your plan allowance, and the ledger keeps an accurate running balance so you always know exactly how many generations remain. This replaces the previous credit counter with a more transparent, per-action breakdown.
## Updates
**More reliable generation pipeline** — Failed generations are now automatically retried before being marked as failed. A background monitor detects stuck jobs and recovers them, reducing the chance of a generation silently disappearing. You can view the status of any generation on the [generation status page](/image-generation/status).
**Refined model cards** — Model cards in the selector now show cleaner metadata with accurate speed labels and deduplicated descriptions. Unnecessary media previews have been removed to keep the model picker fast and scannable.
## Bug fixes
* **Reference image quality** — Fixed an issue where reference images could lose quality during upload, resulting in blurry outputs. Uploaded references now retain their original resolution.
* **Welcome email timing** — New users now receive their welcome email immediately after verifying their address instead of at signup, preventing emails from going to unverified addresses.
* **Email logo rendering** — Logos in billing and notification emails now render reliably across all email clients.
# July 14–20, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-07-20
Weekly changelog covering smarter failed generation recovery, clearer free-tier credit messaging, and improved generation queue reconnect stability.
## Updates
**Smarter failed generation recovery** — Generations that fail in the background are now caught by a dedicated recovery system and automatically retried with configurable retry policies. Previously, some failed jobs could go undetected — now every failure is tracked and re-attempted before being marked as failed. You can monitor the status of any generation on the [generation status page](/image-generation/status).
**Clearer credit indicators for free-tier users** — The credit widget in the sidebar and on the [usage page](/billing/credits) now shows a muted indicator for free-tier users instead of a misleading green icon. Paid plan users continue to see graduated color thresholds (green, amber, red) based on their plan credit ratio, making it easier to understand your remaining balance at a glance.
**More resilient generation queue** — The generation queue now handles connection interruptions more gracefully. If your browser loses connectivity while generations are running, the queue stabilizes and reconnects without losing track of active jobs. Model metadata displayed alongside queued items is also more accurate and consistent.
## Bug fixes
* **Token metering accuracy** — Fixed a regression where token deductions could be recorded inconsistently, ensuring your [usage dashboard](/dashboard/metrics) always reflects the correct balance.
* **Model speed labels** — Corrected speed timing labels on model cards that could show inaccurate estimates for certain models.
# July 21–27, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-07-27
Weekly changelog covering session sharing links, Google Drive and Dropbox export, weighted reference images, and nested folders for organization.
## New features
**Session sharing** — You can now share any session with a public link. Open the session menu and choose "Share" to generate a read-only link that anyone can view — no account required. Shared sessions display your generated images and videos in a clean gallery layout. You can revoke a link at any time from the same menu.
**Export to Google Drive and Dropbox** — Generated images and videos can now be exported directly to your Google Drive or Dropbox account. Select one or more assets, click "Export," and choose your destination. Files are saved in their original quality. Connect your accounts from the [account settings](/getting-started/account-setup) page.
**Weighted reference images** — When you attach multiple [reference images](/image-generation/reference-images), you can now assign a relative weight to each one. Drag the weight slider to emphasize one reference over another — for example, pull composition from one image and color palette from another. Weights default to equal if you don't adjust them.
## Updates
**Nested folders for sessions** — The [sessions sidebar](/sessions/organizing) now supports folders inside folders, up to three levels deep. Drag a folder into another folder to nest it, or right-click to create a sub-folder directly. This makes it easier to organize large libraries of sessions by project, client, or theme.
**Faster image downloads** — Downloading multiple images from a session is now batched into a single zip file, reducing the number of clicks and speeding up bulk exports. Single-image downloads remain instant.
## Bug fixes
* **Prompt assistant context** — Fixed an issue where the [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) could lose your selected aspect ratio when switching between image and video mode mid-conversation.
* **Dashboard date range** — The [usage dashboard](/dashboard/metrics) date picker now correctly reflects your billing cycle dates instead of defaulting to calendar months.
* **Notification badge count** — Resolved a bug where the notification badge could show a stale count after marking all notifications as read.
# July 28 – August 3, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-08-03
Weekly changelog covering improved image editing tools, smarter generation retries, video upscale uploads, and trial-to-paid transition clarity.
## New features
**Revamped image editing toolbar** — The image editing toolbar has been rebuilt for a smoother experience. Hover over any generated image to access crop and split-grid tools directly from the overlay — no extra menus required. Toolbar dropdowns now open upward to avoid clipping, and menus work reliably even inside tightly packed grid layouts. Learn more in the [image generation guide](/image-generation/introduction).
**Video upscale from uploads** — You can now upload your own videos for [Topaz upscaling](/video-generation/introduction), not just videos generated within Open Canva. Select any supported video file from your device and upscale it to higher resolutions based on your plan tier.
## Updates
**Smarter generation retries** — Failed generations are now monitored by a dedicated dead-letter queue with configurable retry policies. If a generation fails due to a transient provider error, the system automatically retries it before marking it as failed — so you're less likely to lose a generation to a temporary glitch. Check the [generation status page](/image-generation/status) for real-time progress.
**Richer model information** — Model cards now display more detailed metadata, including use-case descriptions and capability highlights, making it easier to choose the right model for your project. Duplicate or outdated descriptions have been cleaned up across the [model catalog](/image-generation/models).
**Clearer trial-to-paid transitions** — If you're on a free trial, the checkout flow now clearly explains what happens when your trial ends — including which plan you'll convert to and when billing starts. This removes any ambiguity around the upgrade process. See [billing plans](/billing/plans) for details.
## Bug fixes
* **Editing URL resolution** — Fixed an issue where the image editing toolbar could fail to load images stored with relative URLs, particularly for older generations.
* **Session folder types** — Resolved a bug where certain folder configurations in the [sessions sidebar](/sessions/organizing) could cause type errors, preventing drag-and-drop from working correctly.
* **Sidebar layout overlap** — Fixed an edge case where the sidebar could overlap the main content area when the assistant island was open simultaneously.
# August 4–10, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-08-10
Weekly changelog covering batch asset actions, custom model presets, improved search filters, and CSV export for your generation history.
## New features
**Batch actions for session assets** — You can now select multiple images or videos within a session and apply actions in bulk. Select assets with checkboxes, then choose to download, delete, export, or move them to another session in one step. This pairs well with the existing [Google Drive and Dropbox export](/getting-started/account-setup) for quickly moving large sets of assets off-platform.
**Custom model presets** — Save your favorite generation settings — model, aspect ratio, quality, and reference image configuration — as a named preset you can apply with one click. Presets live alongside your [model sets](/image-generation/models) and sync across devices. Create them from the generation toolbar or from [Settings > Preferences](/image-generation/settings).
## Updates
**Search filters for generation history** — The [AI-powered media search](/sessions/introduction) now supports filters for model, date range, aspect ratio, and media type. Combine a natural-language query with filters to quickly narrow down results across all your sessions.
**Generation history export** — You can now export your full generation history as a CSV from the [usage dashboard](/dashboard/metrics). The export includes timestamps, models used, prompt text, token cost, and status — useful for tracking spend or auditing creative output over time.
**Faster session loading for large libraries** — Sessions with hundreds of assets now load incrementally, showing the most recent items first while older assets stream in. Combined with [nested folders](/sessions/organizing), this makes navigating large projects noticeably snappier.
## Bug fixes
* **Shared session thumbnails** — Fixed an issue where shared session links could display broken thumbnails for assets generated before the private storage migration.
* **Model preset sync** — Resolved a race condition where saved preferences could revert to defaults when switching between devices in quick succession.
* **Weighted reference slider reset** — The [reference image weight slider](/image-generation/reference-images) no longer resets to equal when toggling between image and video mode.
# August 11–17, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-08-17
Weekly changelog covering the new template gallery, collaborative sessions, improved generation queue visibility, and smarter model recommendations.
## New features
**Template gallery** — Browse and apply community-created generation templates directly from the toolbar. Each template bundles a prompt, model, aspect ratio, and style preset into a single click — perfect for quickly exploring new creative directions without configuring everything from scratch. Templates pair with your existing [custom model presets](/image-generation/settings) so you can tweak and save variations.
**Collaborative sessions** — Invite teammates to a shared session by email. Collaborators can add prompts, generate images, and organize assets in real time. Session owners control permissions — choose between view-only and full-edit access. Manage collaborators from the session menu or the [session settings](/sessions/organizing) page.
## Updates
**Improved generation queue visibility** — The generation queue now shows a live progress indicator for each queued item, including estimated time remaining and the model being used. Combined with the existing [generation status page](/image-generation/status), you get a clearer picture of where every generation stands without needing to wait and check back.
**Smarter model recommendations** — When you start a new session or open the [model selector](/image-generation/models), the assistant now suggests models based on your recent usage patterns and the type of content you're creating. Video-heavy workflows surface video models first, while image-focused sessions prioritize image models.
**Streamlined asset detail panel** — The asset detail view has been cleaned up with a simpler layout. Key actions — download, upscale, edit, and export — are now grouped in a consistent toolbar at the top. Metadata like model, prompt, and generation time are organized in collapsible sections so you can focus on the image without visual clutter.
## Bug fixes
* **Credit indicator accuracy** — Fixed an issue where the [credit display](/billing/credits) could show a misleading color when your remaining balance was close to a plan threshold boundary.
* **Token metering consistency** — Resolved a regression where certain generation types could produce inconsistent token deductions, particularly when switching between image and video models in the same session.
* **Session sidebar stability** — Fixed an edge case where the sidebar could briefly render a stray character when loading sessions with deeply nested folder structures.
# August 18–24, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-08-24
Weekly changelog covering image inpainting, brand kit for consistent styling, faster multi-model comparison, and video carousel improvements.
## New features
**Image inpainting** — You can now edit specific areas of a generated image without regenerating the entire thing. Select a region using the brush tool, describe the change you want, and Open Canva replaces just that section while preserving the rest. This works on any generated image directly from the [image editing toolbar](/image-generation/introduction) — no downloads or external tools needed.
**Brand kit** — Save your brand colors, logos, and style preferences to a reusable kit that you can apply to any generation. When a brand kit is active, the prompt assistant and model settings automatically incorporate your brand guidelines, keeping output consistent across sessions. Manage your kits from [Settings > Preferences](/image-generation/settings).
## Updates
**Faster multi-model comparison** — Generating with multiple models in a single batch now runs more efficiently. Results from faster models appear immediately while slower models continue processing, so you can start reviewing output sooner. Combined with [model sets](/image-generation/multi-model), this makes comparing models across a prompt significantly quicker.
**Improved template discovery** — The template gallery introduced last week now includes category filters and a search bar, making it easier to find templates that match your creative direction. Templates also display the model and aspect ratio used, so you know what to expect before applying one.
**Collaborative session permissions** — Session collaborators can now be assigned granular permissions beyond view-only and full-edit. Owners can allow prompt submission without asset deletion, or restrict model selection to a specific [model set](/image-generation/multi-model). Adjust permissions from the [session settings](/sessions/organizing) page.
## Bug fixes
* **Inpainting mask accuracy** — Fixed an issue where the brush mask could shift slightly when the canvas was zoomed, causing edits to land in the wrong region.
* **Template aspect ratio** — Applying a template now correctly sets the aspect ratio to match the template configuration instead of keeping your previous session setting.
* **Collaborative cursor sync** — Resolved a delay where collaborator cursors could appear frozen for a few seconds after joining a shared session.
# August 25–31, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-08-31
Weekly changelog covering new AI models, session thumbnail previews, subscription trials, improved model selector, and video carousel fixes.
## New features
**New AI models** — Five new models are now available in the [model selector](/image-generation/models): Flux 2 Klein, Grok Video, Sora Pro, Phota, and LTX Retake. Each brings different strengths — from fast image drafts to high-fidelity video generation — giving you more creative options without leaving Open Canva.
**Session thumbnail previews** — Sessions in the sidebar and search results now display a thumbnail of the most recent generation, making it faster to find and revisit past work. See [session organization](/sessions/organizing) for more on managing your sessions.
**Free trial for new users** — New accounts now start with a free trial period so you can explore all features before choosing a [plan](/billing/plans). No credit card required to get started.
## Updates
**Cleaner model selector** — The model selector hover cards have been simplified with a flatter layout and easier-to-scan details. Speed labels are now more intuitive, and duplicate content has been removed so you can compare models at a glance. Learn more about [choosing models](/image-generation/models).
**Smarter credit indicator** — The [credit display](/billing/credits) now uses color thresholds based on your specific plan's credit allocation rather than a fixed value, giving you a more accurate sense of your remaining balance.
**Better prompt input handling** — Long prompts no longer obscure the generation controls. The prompt editor now scrolls when content exceeds the visible area, keeping buttons and settings accessible regardless of prompt length.
## Bug fixes
* **Video carousel audio** — Fixed an issue where videos in the carousel could play audio unexpectedly when navigating between items.
* **Sidebar flicker on login** — Resolved a visual glitch where the sidebar could briefly flash or show a spinner during the first page load after signing in.
* **Paste-to-generate** — Fixed a bug where pasting content into the prompt editor could accidentally trigger a generation instead of inserting the text.
* **Generation reliability** — Hardened edge cases in the generation pipeline that could cause failures with certain model and setting combinations.
# September 1–7, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-09-07
Weekly changelog covering active generation badges, editable queue items, improved reference image fidelity, and generation pipeline stability.
## New features
**Active generation badges** — Each session in the sidebar now shows a badge indicating how many generations are currently running. You can see at a glance which sessions have active work in progress without needing to open them, making it easier to manage multiple parallel workflows.
**Editable generation queue** — Queued generations can now be edited before they start processing. Change the prompt, adjust settings, or swap models on any pending item directly from the [generation queue](/image-generation/introduction) — no need to cancel and re-queue from scratch.
## Updates
**Higher-fidelity reference images** — [Reference images](/image-generation/reference-images) now preserve their original quality throughout the entire generation pipeline. Previously, references could lose sharpness during processing, leading to softer outputs than expected. This fix ensures your reference inputs match what the model actually receives.
**More resilient generation pipeline** — Background job monitoring has been expanded with stronger retry policies and automated dead-letter queue recovery. Transient provider failures are now caught and retried more consistently, reducing the chance of a generation silently failing. Check the [generation status page](/image-generation/status) for real-time progress on any job.
## Bug fixes
* **Queue concurrency** — Fixed an edge case where the generation queue could bypass its concurrency limit, allowing more simultaneous generations than your plan supports.
* **Queue reconnection** — Resolved an issue where the queue widget could lose sync with active jobs after a brief network interruption, causing items to appear stuck.
# September 8–14, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-09-14
Weekly changelog covering the infinite canvas workspace, generation progress bars, prompt undo history, GDPR cookie consent, and accessibility improvements.
## New features
**Infinite canvas workspace** — You can now arrange generated images and videos on a freeform, zoomable canvas instead of a linear feed. Pan, zoom, and spatially group your generations to compare variations side by side or build mood boards directly inside a session. Get started from any session by switching to canvas view.
**Generation progress bars** — Active generations now show a real-time progress indicator with estimated time remaining, so you know exactly how far along each job is. Progress bars appear in both the session view and the [generation queue](/image-generation/status), replacing the previous spinner-only state.
**Prompt undo and redo** — The prompt editor now supports full undo and redo history. Press Cmd+Z (or Ctrl+Z) to step back through recent prompt edits and Cmd+Shift+Z to step forward. Your edit history persists for the duration of the session.
## Updates
**GDPR cookie consent** — A cookie consent banner now appears for visitors in applicable regions, giving you control over analytics and tracking preferences. The banner follows a cookieless-first approach — no tracking cookies are set until you opt in.
**Improved accessibility across the app** — Screen reader labels have been added to icon-only buttons, action bars, sidebar navigation, chat controls, and data tables. Keyboard navigation is more consistent throughout the interface, and decorative icons are now properly hidden from assistive technology.
**More accurate generation time estimates** — Estimated generation times shown on [model cards](/image-generation/models) have been recalibrated to better reflect real-world performance, so you can make more informed model choices before generating.
## Bug fixes
* **Stray character in sidebar** — Fixed a rendering glitch that could display a stray bracket character in the session sidebar under certain conditions.
* **Credit indicator threshold** — Resolved an edge case where the credit color indicator could show the wrong color near plan threshold boundaries.
* **Search index drift** — Fixed an issue where AI-powered search results could return stale or mismatched results after schema updates.
# September 15–21, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-09-21
Weekly changelog covering the onboarding tour, multi-format video downloads, mobile-friendly asset browsing, proactive upscale limits, and refreshed branding.
## New features
**Onboarding tour and help hub** — New users are now guided through an interactive walkthrough that highlights core features like generating images, managing sessions, and using the prompt assistant. After the tour, a persistent help hub stays available in the bottom corner so you can revisit tips or access [support](/features/help-support) at any time.
**Multi-format video downloads** — You can now download generated videos in MP4, GIF, WebP, or PNG (frame extract) formats. Choose your preferred format from the download menu on any video asset — useful for sharing to platforms with specific format requirements or pulling a still frame without a separate tool.
**Mobile-friendly asset browsing** — The image and video carousel now works smoothly on mobile devices. Swipe through generations, view asset details, and access actions like download and upscale from a touch-optimized layout. The asset detail panel also adapts to smaller screens with collapsible sections and a fixed action bar.
## Updates
**Proactive upscale resolution limits** — Before you start an upscale, the app now shows the maximum resolution available for your [plan tier](/billing/plans). This prevents failed upscale attempts and helps you decide whether to upgrade before committing credits.
**Refreshed branding** — The Open Canva logo has been updated across the app and website, alongside a refreshed homepage banner featuring trusted-by partner logos. Social preview images have also been updated with the new visual style.
**Email preferences** — You can now control which emails you receive from Open Canva. Manage your notification preferences from [account settings](/getting-started/account-setup) to opt in or out of generation alerts, billing updates, and product announcements.
**Stronger account security** — All stored media now uses private storage with signed URLs, ensuring your generated images and videos are only accessible to you. Combined with additional security hardening across the platform, your account and assets are better protected.
## Bug fixes
* **Chat assistant model selection** — Fixed a crash that could occur when the prompt assistant suggested an unsupported or invalid model, ensuring the assistant only recommends models available in your plan.
* **What's New dialog** — Resolved an issue where the What's New modal could fail to load or display outdated content after a platform update.
* **Missing reference thumbnails** — Fixed a bug where reference image thumbnails could appear blank in the prompt editor if the source file was no longer cached.
* **Video player stability** — Resolved a crash in the video player that could occur when checking playback status on certain Mux-hosted videos.
# September 22–28, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-09-28
Weekly changelog covering faster chat rendering, drag-and-drop prompt reordering, asset detail navigation, and streamlined model comparison.
## New features
**Drag-and-drop prompt reordering** — You can now reorder queued generations by dragging them within the [generation queue](/image-generation/status). Prioritize the prompts you want to see first without cancelling and re-queuing. Drag handles appear on hover for each pending item.
**Asset detail keyboard navigation** — Arrow keys now cycle through assets in the detail panel. Press left or right to move between images and videos without closing the panel, and press Escape to return to the grid. This works in both session and [Explore](/sessions/introduction) views.
## Updates
**Faster chat rendering** — The [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) now renders messages and tool responses significantly faster, especially in long sessions with many generations. Scrolling through conversation history feels smoother, and streaming responses appear with less visual lag.
**Streamlined model comparison view** — When generating with [multiple models](/image-generation/multi-model), results now load into a side-by-side comparison layout that highlights differences at a glance. Model names and generation times are pinned above each result so you can evaluate outputs without scrolling.
**Improved generation time accuracy** — Estimated times shown on [model cards](/image-generation/models) now update dynamically based on current queue depth and recent performance data, giving you a better sense of how long a generation will actually take before you start.
## Bug fixes
* **Drag handle positioning** — Fixed an issue where drag handles on session sidebar items could overlap with the session title on narrow screens.
* **Asset panel scroll reset** — Resolved a bug where scrolling within the asset detail panel could reset to the top when a neighboring generation completed.
* **Stale queue count badge** — Fixed an edge case where the active generation badge on a session could show a stale count after all jobs finished.
# September 29 – October 5, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-10-05
Weekly changelog covering extra credits purchase, cross-session reference images, inline @ mentions, annual billing, and embedded Stripe checkout.
## New features
**Buy extra credits** — You can now purchase additional credits beyond your plan allocation. A new "Buy Credits" option is available from the [billing page](/billing/credits), so you can top up whenever you need more without changing your plan.
**Cross-session reference images** — Reference images are no longer tied to a single session. Upload images once and reuse them across any session from a shared upload library. See [reference images](/image-generation/reference-images) for details.
**Inline @ mentions for reference images** — Type `@` in the prompt editor to insert reference image chips directly into your prompt text. This makes it easy to specify exactly which reference image you want the model to use.
**Inspiration feed** — New sessions now show a feed of recent community creations and style presets to help you get started. Browse what others are making and jump into a generation with one click.
**Report images** — You can now report inappropriate images directly from the asset detail panel, helping keep the community gallery safe for everyone.
## Updates
**Annual billing and redesigned pricing page** — The [pricing page](/billing/plans) now defaults to annual billing with a clear comparison to monthly pricing. A sticky navigation bar makes it easier to browse plans.
**Embedded checkout** — Upgrading your plan or purchasing credits now happens in an embedded modal instead of redirecting you to a separate page. The entire purchase flow stays inside Open Canva.
**Simplified credit pricing** — Image generations now cost whole-number credit amounts (e.g., 1 credit per image), replacing the previous fractional pricing. Video credits scale by duration. See [credits](/billing/credits) for the updated rates.
**Explore page for visitors** — Unauthenticated visitors can now browse the Explore page with a scroll limit and a clear sign-up prompt, making it easier to see what Open Canva can do before creating an account.
**Session status indicators** — Sessions in the sidebar now show status icons for generating, complete, and error states so you can monitor progress across multiple sessions at a glance.
## Bug fixes
* **Duplicate video cards** — Fixed a race condition that could cause the same video to appear twice in your generation history.
* **Stuck processing state** — Resolved an issue where some images in a multi-model batch could get permanently stuck on "processing" if part of the batch failed.
* **Terminal errors polling forever** — Generations that hit a provider error now fail immediately instead of polling indefinitely.
* **Clearer error messages** — Provider errors now show a friendly description instead of raw technical output.
* **Video aspect ratio in lightbox** — The video modal now displays videos in their correct aspect ratio instead of forcing 16:9.
* **Batch size auto-clamp** — When selecting multiple models, the batch size now adjusts automatically to a valid value.
* **Mobile tap targets** — Fixed invisible hover buttons on mobile that could block taps on image and video cards.
* **Video fullscreen flicker** — Resolved a visual glitch when entering or exiting fullscreen video playback.
# October 6–12, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-10-12
Weekly changelog covering five new models, Topaz video upscaling, session thumbnail previews, video-aware prompt enhancer, and stability improvements.
## New features
**Five new generation models** — You can now generate with Flux 2 Klein, Grok Video, Sora Pro, Phota, and LTX Retake. Flux 2 Klein offers fast, lightweight image generation. Grok Video and Sora Pro expand your video options with different styles and capabilities. Phota and LTX Retake round out the lineup for specialized image and video workflows. Browse all available models on the [models page](/image-generation/models).
**Topaz video upscaling** — Upscale your generated videos to higher resolutions using Topaz. After a video finishes generating, you can enhance its resolution directly from the asset detail panel. See [image settings](/image-generation/settings) for more on upscaling options.
**Session thumbnail previews** — Sessions in the sidebar and search results now show thumbnail previews of your generated images. Hover over a session to see a quick visual summary of what's inside, making it easier to find the session you're looking for. Learn more about [organizing sessions](/sessions/organizing).
**Video-aware prompt enhancer** — The [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) now understands whether you're generating images or videos and tailors its suggestions accordingly. When you ask it to improve a prompt, it factors in the selected model and media type to give you more relevant results.
**Model sets** — You can now save groups of models as reusable sets. Pick your favorite combination once, then load it with a single click for future sessions. See [multi-model generation](/image-generation/multi-model) for details.
## Updates
**Redesigned chat layout** — The prompt assistant now uses a unified island layout anchored to the bottom of the screen. The cleaner design keeps your generation controls and chat in one place without overlapping the canvas.
**Improved session hover previews** — Thumbnail popover previews in the sidebar have been refined with better positioning, smoother transitions, and more consistent image sizing.
**Credit usage indicator** — The credits display on the [billing page](/billing/credits) now uses color coding relative to your plan allocation, so you can see at a glance how much of your allowance you've used.
**Queue stability** — Background queue connections now recover more reliably after network interruptions, reducing the chance of missed status updates during long generation runs.
**Larger queue touch targets** — Queue items and header controls have larger tap areas, making them easier to interact with on touch devices.
## Bug fixes
* **Video autoplay audio** — Fixed an issue where videos in the carousel could autoplay with sound when scrolling through your session history.
* **Sidebar layout overlap** — Resolved a layout bug where the sidebar could overlap with the generation island on certain screen sizes.
* **Login sidebar flicker** — Fixed a visual flicker and spinner jank that could appear in the sidebar immediately after logging in.
* **Token metering accuracy** — Resolved regressions in credit tracking that could cause brief inaccuracies in your usage display.
# October 13–19, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-10-19
Weekly changelog covering dynamic payment methods, refreshed plan entitlement prompts, generation stability fixes, and product demo refinements.
## New features
**Promotion codes at checkout** — You can now apply promotion codes when upgrading your plan or purchasing credits. Enter a code during checkout to receive a discount. Promotion codes work across all [billing flows](/billing/plans), including plan upgrades and one-time credit purchases.
**Dynamic payment methods** — Checkout now automatically surfaces the payment methods most relevant to your region, including local options beyond credit cards. You'll see the available methods when you reach the payment step on the [billing page](/billing/introduction).
**Interactive product demo** — The Open Canva homepage now features an interactive walkthrough that lets you explore key features before signing up. Try out the generation flow, browse sample outputs, and see how sessions work — all without creating an account.
## Updates
**Improved plan entitlement prompts** — Upgrade prompts throughout the app are now more contextual and less intrusive. When you reach a plan limit — whether in the upscaler, during generation, or in [session settings](/sessions/introduction) — the prompt clearly explains what you'll unlock by upgrading, rather than showing a generic paywall.
**Clearer credit error messages** — When a generation fails due to insufficient credits, the error message now tells you exactly how many credits are needed and how to [top up](/billing/credits), replacing the previous generic failure notice.
**Terminology update** — References to "designers" throughout the app have been updated to "creatives" to better reflect the diversity of people using Open Canva.
**Password visibility toggle** — The password field on the login and signup screens now includes a show/hide toggle, making it easier to verify what you've typed.
**Refreshed email notifications** — Transactional emails — including welcome messages, billing receipts, and generation alerts — have been redesigned with a cleaner layout and updated branding. You'll also now receive a welcome email immediately after verifying your account.
## Bug fixes
* **Image ordering in batches** — Fixed an issue where images in a multi-model batch could appear out of order as they streamed in, causing the grid to jump.
* **Stuck HD upscales** — Resolved a bug where HD video upscales could get permanently stuck in a processing state. Affected jobs now automatically recover.
* **Generation pipeline reliability** — Improved convergence logic in the generation pipeline to reduce the chance of jobs silently stalling under heavy load.
# October 20–26, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-10-26
Weekly changelog covering smart queue overflow buffering, generation toolbar status, prompt assistant accuracy, and graceful reference image states.
## New features
**Smart queue overflow buffering** — When your generation queue is full, new jobs are now automatically buffered on your device and retried as slots open up. Previously, hitting your [queue depth limit](/billing/plans) meant your submission was rejected and you had to try again manually. Now you can keep generating without interruption — the system handles the rest.
**Generation toolbar status** — A new status indicator in the generation toolbar shows your active, queued, and buffered generation counts at a glance. You can see exactly how many jobs are running, waiting on the server, and buffered locally, making it easy to manage busy workflows without switching views. Learn more about [generation status](/image-generation/status).
## Updates
**Smarter prompt assistant model matching** — The [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) now validates that recommended models match your selected media type. If you're generating images, the assistant will only suggest image models — and vice versa for video. When a mismatch is detected, you'll see a clear, friendly message instead of a broken settings panel.
**Graceful missing reference images** — When a [reference image](/image-generation/reference-images) has been deleted or is no longer available, it now appears dimmed with a tooltip explaining the issue. Interactive actions like selecting or removing the reference are disabled, preventing confusion. Previously, missing references could appear as broken thumbnails with no explanation.
**Chat history compatibility** — Older conversations from earlier versions of the prompt assistant now load correctly regardless of their original format. If you had chat sessions that previously showed blank or failed to render, they should now display as expected.
## Bug fixes
* **Prompt assistant error display** — When the AI assistant encounters an issue generating a plan, you now see a concise error message with optional technical details instead of raw JSON output.
* **Video polling efficiency** — Long-running video generations now poll for status updates with smarter timing, reducing unnecessary network requests and improving responsiveness when jobs complete.
* **Queue prompt sync** — Fixed an issue where editing a queued generation's prompt would not update the prompt shown in your [session history](/sessions/history), causing a mismatch between what you edited and what appeared after the job ran.
# October 27 – November 2, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-11-02
Weekly changelog covering post-v1.1.0 stabilization: refined carousel modal, credit estimates in chat, GPT Image support, and cleaner settings.
## New features
**GPT Image model support** — GPT Image is now available as a generation option, expanding the lineup of image models you can mix and match in a single run. See [models](/image-generation/models) for the full list.
**Credit estimate in chat assistant** — The [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) input now shows an estimated credit cost before you send, so you can see what a generation will cost without leaving the composer.
## Updates
**Refined session carousel** — The image carousel modal in [sessions](/sessions/introduction) was tightened up with cleaner generation history and layout controls, making it easier to step through results and compare variations.
**Streamlined settings** — Token usage and chat quota panels were removed from settings now that everything runs through the unified [credit ledger](/billing/credits). Your generation and chat usage now share a single transparent balance — no more split meters to reconcile.
## Bug fixes
* **Chat message actions** — Stabilized message action behavior so notifications, preview surfaces, and assistant updates stay consistent as you move between chat and generation views.
* **Generation UI state** — Fixed a class of inconsistencies where generation status could lag behind notifications when switching tabs mid-stream.
# November 3–9, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-11-09
Weekly changelog covering expanded video model support, tighter image plan controls, and a batch of generation reliability fixes in v1.1.1.
## New features
**Expanded video model lineup** — A new set of video model families is now available for generation, with refined reference image controls in the video composer. You can swap between providers without leaving the [video generation](/video-generation/introduction) flow.
## Updates
**Tighter image plan controls** — The image plan editor now has cleaner controls for adjusting prompts and settings before kicking off a run, making it faster to fine-tune a generation without losing your place. See [prompts](/image-generation/prompts) for how plans work.
**Smoother studio hover tools** — Hover-activated tools in the studio canvas have been tuned for steadier behavior, so quick actions land where you expect without flicker.
## Bug fixes
* **Stale prompt references** — Fixed an issue where edits to a prompt could keep referencing an older version of attached [reference images](/image-generation/reference-images), causing unexpected results.
* **Image transform actions** — Restored transform actions (crop, rotate, and related controls) that could become unresponsive after certain interactions.
* **Kling O3 dimensions** — Corrected stored output dimensions for Kling O3 generations so saved results match what you actually generated.
* **Video credit preflight** — Resolved cases where video [credit estimates](/billing/credits) shown before submission could disagree with the actual charge.
* **Expected job refusals** — Routine, expected job refusals (such as content the provider declines) are now classified separately from real errors, so your [generation status](/image-generation/status) view stays accurate and uncluttered.
# November 10–16, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-11-16
Weekly changelog covering the v1.1.2 patch release and improved error diagnostics behind the scenes.
## Updates
**Improved error diagnostics** — Open Canva now ships with richer behind-the-scenes error tracking, so when something does go wrong we can pinpoint and fix it faster. There are no changes to how generations work or what you see in the app — just quicker turnaround on issues that affect your sessions.
A quiet maintenance week otherwise. New features and product updates resume in the next release.
# November 17–23, 2026
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/changelog/2026-11-23
Weekly changelog covering the v1.2.0 release with restored chat tool collapsing.
## Bug fixes
* **Collapsible chat tool groups** — Grouped tool calls in the [prompt assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant) are once again collapsible. Click a tool header to expand or hide its details, including in older session histories where the controls had stopped responding.
A light release week — v1.2.0 rolls up prior fixes into a stable cut. New features resume next week.
# Usage Charts
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/dashboard/charts
Learn how to read and interpret usage charts in the Open Canva dashboard. Understand daily usage, model breakdown, trends, and other visual analytics.
## Chart overview
The Open Canva dashboard includes two charts to summarize usage for the selected range (7 or 30 days).
## Chart types
### Daily stacked bars
**What it shows**: Daily generation counts broken down by your top three models.
**How to read**:
* **X-axis**: Dates within the selected range
* **Y-axis**: Number of generations
* **Stacked colors**: Contribution from each of the top three models
**Use it to**:
* Spot which days were busiest
* See which models drove activity on specific days
### Model breakdown pie
**What it shows**: Percentage share of model usage across the selected time range.
**How to read**:
* **Slices**: Each model
* **Size**: Share of total generations
**Use it to**:
* Identify your most-used models
* Confirm whether your usage is concentrated or balanced
## Reading charts effectively
### Time range selection
Charts respond to the **7-day** or **30-day** range selected in the dashboard header.
## Chart features
### Interactive elements
Many charts are interactive:
* **Hover**: See exact values for data points
* **Click**: Drill down into details
* **Zoom**: Focus on specific time periods
* **Filter**: Show/hide specific models or categories
### Color coding
Charts use colors to distinguish:
* **Models**: Different colors for each AI model
* **Status**: Colors for success/failure
* **Categories**: Different chart elements
## Understanding patterns
### Usage patterns
Look for:
* **Peak days**: Days with highest generation counts
* **Consistent usage**: Regular daily activity
* **Spikes**: Sudden increases in usage
* **Drops**: Decreases that might indicate issues
### Model preferences
Identify:
* **Favorite models**: Models you use most frequently
* **Model trends**: Increasing or decreasing usage of specific models
* **Balance**: Whether you're using models evenly or favoring some
### Cost patterns
Observe:
* **Cost trends**: Increasing or decreasing costs over time
* **Cost spikes**: Periods of higher spending
* **Cost efficiency**: Cost per generation trends
## Best practices
**Review regularly**: Check charts periodically to understand your usage patterns.
**Compare time periods**: Look at different time ranges to see various perspectives.
**Identify trends**: Use charts to spot patterns and adjust your workflow.
**Use for planning**: Charts help you plan future usage and budget.
## Troubleshooting
* Refresh the page
* Check your internet connection
* Clear browser cache
* Try a different browser
* Verify the time range selected
* Check if filters are applied
* Ensure you're viewing the correct account
* Data may take time to update
* Check if model filters are applied
* Verify the model was used in the selected time period
* Some models may not appear if usage is zero
## Related guides
Learn about the dashboard interface.
Understand the metrics behind the charts.
Track model-specific analytics.
Monitor costs and spending.
# Cost Tracking and Credits
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/dashboard/costs
See how generation costs appear in the Open Canva dashboard, review per-generation spend, and find detailed credit usage breakdowns.
## Cost visibility on the dashboard
* **Recent generations**: Each recent item shows the cost of that generation alongside the model and timestamp.
* **Aggregated costs**: Totals and averages are not shown on the dashboard today; use session history or billing tools for full spend reviews.
If you need a quick gut check on spend, scan the recent generations grid—the cost badge is visible without leaving the dashboard.
## Where to review detailed costs
* **Session history**: Open a session and review each batch; costs are displayed per generation alongside prompts and models.
* **Billing/credits**: Use your billing pages to see overall credit balances and purchases (outside the dashboard UI).
## Managing usage effectively
* **Multi-model runs**: Remember each selected model incurs its own charge—plan comparisons intentionally.
* **Aspect ratios**: Larger mapped sizes may cost more on certain models; defaults are chosen to stay within supported limits.
* **Failures**: Failed generations still count toward request totals; if failures increase, verify prompts and references before rerunning.
## Best practices
**Check recents**: Glance at the cost labels in the Recent generations grid after large batches to ensure spend matches expectations.
**Plan comparisons**: When running multi-model batches, estimate total images (one per model) so costs aren’t a surprise.
**Use history**: If you see an unexpected cost, open the session history to review the specific batch and model combination.
## Related guides
Learn about the dashboard interface.
See how models contribute to your activity.
Learn how available settings affect generations.
# Dashboard Overview
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/dashboard/introduction
Explore the Open Canva dashboard to view generation usage statistics, recent costs per generation, model mix breakdowns, and activity trends.
## What is the dashboard?
The Open Canva dashboard highlights your recent generation activity so you can quickly gauge usage and model mix. It helps you:
* **Track volume**: See how many images you generated in the selected range
* **Compare models**: View the top models you used and their share of activity
* **Spot recents**: Review your latest successful generations with costs and timestamps
## Dashboard sections
### Overview metric
* **Generations**: Total generation attempts in the selected time range (7 or 30 days).
### Usage analytics
* **Daily activity**: A stacked bar chart showing how your top three models contributed each day.
* **Model breakdown**: A pie chart that summarizes model usage share for the selected period.
* **Latest generations**: A grid of recent completed generations with prompt snippets, model badges, cost, and download links.
## Key features
Understand all available metrics and what they mean.
Learn to read and interpret usage charts.
Track which models you use and their performance.
Monitor your spending and credit usage.
## Navigating the dashboard
### Main dashboard view
When you open the dashboard, you'll see:
* **Generation total**: A single metric card for the selected window
* **Charts**: Daily stacked bars and a model breakdown pie
* **Recent activity**: Completed generations with download buttons and cost labels
### Time range selection
Switch between **Last 7 days** and **Last 30 days** using the range menu in the header. A refresh button triggers a manual reload of the data.
## Understanding your data
* **Generation total**: Count of generation requests (including failures) in the selected range.
* **Daily activity**: Stacked by your top three models to show relative usage over time.
* **Model breakdown**: Percentage share of models used in the selected range.
* **Recent generations**: Successful items only; failed attempts are omitted from this grid.
## Best practices
**Check regularly**: Review your dashboard periodically to understand your usage patterns.
**Monitor costs**: Use the cost labels in Recent generations after large batches to confirm spend.
**Analyze trends**: Use data to identify patterns and optimize your workflow.
**Track model performance**: See which models produce the best results for your needs.
## Related guides
Detailed explanation of all metrics.
How to read and use charts effectively.
Learn about the generation process.
Understand how sessions relate to dashboard data.
# Analytics Metrics
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/dashboard/metrics
Guide to analytics metrics in the Open Canva dashboard, including what each metric tracks, how it is calculated, and workflow tips.
## Overview
The dashboard surfaces a concise set of metrics focused on recent generation activity. Use these to keep tabs on volume and model mix without digging through raw history.
## Generation metrics
### Generations (selected range)
**What it is**: Count of generation requests in the last 7 or 30 days.
**Includes**:
* Completed generations
* Failed generations
**Use it to**: Track overall activity and watch for spikes or drops.
### Recent generations
**What it is**: A grid of your latest completed generations.
**Includes**:
* Prompt snippet
* Model used
* Timestamp (relative)
* Cost per generation
* Download links
**Use it to**: Quickly review recent outputs and grab assets without opening a session.
## Model metrics
### Daily model activity (stacked bars)
**What it is**: Daily counts for your top three models in the selected range.
**Use it to**:
* See which models dominated specific days
* Identify whether one model is shouldering most of the work
### Model breakdown (pie)
**What it is**: Share of total generations per model for the selected range.
**Use it to**:
* Confirm your go-to models
* Spot underused models you may want to experiment with
## Cost visibility
* Costs are shown per generation in the **Recent generations** grid.
* Aggregated cost totals are not displayed on the dashboard; refer to session history or billing views for detailed spend.
## Interpreting metrics
### Healthy patterns
* **Stable generation count**: Consistent volume within your expected range
* **Balanced model usage**: Multiple models represented across days
* **Recent completions**: A steady stream of completed generations without prolonged gaps
### Warning signs
* **Sudden drop in generations**: Verify sessions are active and prompts are valid
* **Overreliance on one model**: Consider trying alternatives for comparison
* **Few recent completions**: Check for failed runs in session history
## Using metrics effectively
**Check ranges**: Flip between 7-day and 30-day views to spot short-term versus longer trends.
**Pair with history**: Use the dashboard to spot patterns, then open session history for detailed troubleshooting.
**Compare models**: If one model dominates the pie chart, try multi-model runs to validate whether it’s the best fit.
## Related guides
Learn about the dashboard interface.
Visual representation of your metrics.
Track model-specific metrics.
Understand and manage costs.
# Model Usage Analytics
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/dashboard/model-usage
Track which AI models you use most in Open Canva. Understand model mix on the dashboard and learn how to balance experimentation with your go-to engines.
## Model usage overview
Model usage visuals show which engines you lean on most and how they contribute day to day. Use them to balance experimentation with reliable defaults.
## Key metrics
### Usage by model (pie)
* **Share of usage**: Percentage of total generations per model in the selected 7- or 30-day range
* **Top models**: Quickly spot the engines you use most
### Daily contribution (stacked bars)
* **Per-day mix**: Daily counts for your top three models
* **Spikes and dips**: Identify days when a particular model dominated or dropped off
### Recent generations
* **Model context**: Each recent item shows the model used, helping you connect outcomes to engine choice
* **Cost visibility**: Per-generation cost is visible without leaving the dashboard
## Using model analytics
### Identifying favorites
* Confirm which models dominate your usage.
* Spot underused models you might want to include in a multi-model batch for comparison.
### Optimization opportunities
* **Balance workload**: If one model owns most of the pie, test alternatives on the same prompt.
* **Validate results**: Pair the dashboard view with session history to see which models produced the strongest outputs for a prompt family.
## Best practices
**Track over time**: Compare 7-day and 30-day slices to see if your preferences are shifting.
**Experiment**: Run occasional multi-model batches when the pie chart shows a clear favorite to ensure it’s still your best option.
**Balance usage**: Keep multiple models in rotation so you have options when style or prompt requirements change.
## Related guides
Learn about available models and their strengths.
Understand the dashboard interface.
Visualize model usage with charts.
Understand model costs and spending.
# Best Practices for Image Generation
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/features/best-practices
Tips and techniques for effective image generation in Open Canva, covering prompt writing, model selection, and workflow optimization.
## Prompt writing best practices
### Be specific and detailed
**Good prompt:**
```
A serene mountain landscape at sunset, snow-capped peaks in the background, a calm alpine lake in the foreground reflecting orange and pink sky, dramatic clouds, golden hour lighting, photorealistic, high detail, 4K quality
```
**Weak prompt:**
```
A mountain
```
Include subject, style, composition, lighting, colors, and quality modifiers for best results.
### Use style descriptors
Add style information to guide the aesthetic:
* **Artistic styles**: "watercolor", "digital art", "photorealistic", "sketch"
* **Era/period**: "medieval", "futuristic", "vintage 1950s"
* **Mood**: "serene", "dramatic", "playful", "mysterious"
### Describe composition
Tell the AI how to frame the image:
* **Shot type**: "close-up", "wide shot", "portrait", "landscape view"
* **Angle**: "bird's eye view", "low angle", "eye level"
* **Focus**: "shallow depth of field", "everything in focus"
## Model selection tips
### Match model to use case
* **Photorealistic images**: Use Flux
* **Text in images**: Use Ideogram
* **Artistic illustrations**: Experiment with different models
* **Specific styles**: Try models known for that style
Don't always use the same model. Different models excel at different things.
### Experiment with models
* **Try multiple models**: Use the same prompt with different models
* **Compare results**: See which model produces the best outcome
* **Learn preferences**: Discover which models work best for your needs
## Settings optimization
### Start with defaults
* **Begin simple**: Use default settings for your first attempts
* **Adjust gradually**: Change one setting at a time to understand effects
* **Document what works**: Keep notes on successful setting combinations
### Quality vs speed
* **Balance**: Find the right balance between quality and generation time
* **Higher quality**: Use when detail is important
* **Faster settings**: Use for quick iterations and experiments
## Reference image techniques
### Choosing good references
* **High quality**: Use clear, well-lit reference images
* **Relevant content**: Choose references that match your goal
* **Simple compositions**: Uncluttered references work best
### Combining references and prompts
* **Be specific**: Describe what to keep from reference and what to change
* **Add details**: Use prompt to add elements not in reference
* **Mention the reference**: Explicitly reference elements to preserve
## Workflow optimization
### Session organization
* **Create sessions early**: Set up session structure before generating
* **Use descriptive names**: Name sessions clearly for easy finding
* **Organize with folders**: Group related sessions together
* **Regular cleanup**: Archive or delete old sessions periodically
### Iteration strategy
* **Start broad**: Begin with general concepts
* **Refine gradually**: Add detail in subsequent generations
* **Document successes**: Keep notes on what works
* **Learn from failures**: Understand why some attempts don't work
## Cost management
### Optimize for efficiency
* **Use appropriate models**: Choose cost-effective models when quality allows
* **Balance settings**: Don't always use highest quality if not needed
* **Plan usage**: Estimate costs for projects
* **Monitor spending**: Check dashboard regularly
### Budget planning
* **Set limits**: Establish spending limits
* **Track usage**: Monitor costs frequently
* **Adjust as needed**: Modify usage if costs are high
## Quality improvement
### Prompt refinement
* **Iterate on prompts**: Refine prompts based on results
* **Learn from examples**: Study successful prompts
* **Use Prompt Assistant**: Get AI-powered suggestions
* **Combine techniques**: Merge different prompt writing approaches
### Settings fine-tuning
* **Experiment systematically**: Change one setting at a time
* **Test combinations**: Try different setting combinations
* **Document results**: Keep notes on what works
* **Reuse successful settings**: Apply what worked before
## Common mistakes to avoid
**Too vague**: Vague prompts produce poor results. Be specific.
**Contradictory terms**: Avoid mixing conflicting styles or concepts.
**Ignoring composition**: Without composition guidance, results may not match your vision.
**Not experimenting**: Always using the same approach limits discovery.
## Advanced techniques
### Multi-model generation
* **Compare results**: Generate with multiple models simultaneously
* **Discover preferences**: See which models work best for different needs
* **Save time**: Get multiple options in one generation cycle
### Prompt templates
Create templates for common use cases:
* **Portrait template**: `[Subject] portrait, [style], [lighting], [mood], [background]`
* **Landscape template**: `[Location] landscape, [time], [weather], [composition], [colors]`
* **Product template**: `[Product] on [surface], [lighting], [background], [style]`
## Learning and improvement
### Track what works
* **Keep notes**: Document successful prompts and settings
* **Review history**: Learn from past generations
* **Identify patterns**: Notice what consistently works well
* **Build knowledge**: Accumulate experience over time
### Continuous improvement
* **Experiment regularly**: Try new approaches and techniques
* **Stay updated**: Learn about new features and models
* **Share knowledge**: Learn from community and examples
* **Practice**: Regular use improves results
## Related guides
Detailed prompt writing guide.
Learn about choosing models.
Understand all available settings.
Solutions to common issues.
# Frequently Asked Questions
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/features/faq
Answers to common questions about Open Canva, covering image and video generation, billing, credits, AI models, sessions, and more.
## General questions
### What is Open Canva?
Open Canva is an AI-powered visual creation platform that generates high-quality images and videos from text prompts. With 25+ image models and 20+ video models, a Prompt Assistant, and multi-model comparison, it's built for creative professionals producing visual content at scale.
### How does generation work?
Enter a text prompt describing the image or video you want, select AI models and settings, then click Generate. The AI processes your prompt and creates output for each selected model, typically in 10-30 seconds for images and 30 seconds to several minutes for video.
### What output formats are supported?
* **Images**: PNG format, downloadable at generated resolution
* **Videos**: MP4, GIF, animated WebP, or PNG (single frame extraction)
### Can I edit images after generation?
You can regenerate with different prompts or settings to iterate on your results. Some models also support providing a source image alongside your prompt to guide the output. See the [Reference Images guide](/image-generation/reference-images) for details.
## Account and authentication
### How do I create an account?
Sign up using email and password or Google OAuth. New accounts receive 50 free credits. See our [Account Setup Guide](/getting-started/account-setup) for details.
### What sign-in methods are supported?
* Email and password
* Google OAuth
### Can I change my email address?
Currently, email address changes are not supported. You'll need to create a new account with a different email address.
## Billing and credits
### How much does it cost?
Open Canva uses a credit-based system with four plans:
| Plan | Credits/month | Price |
| ---------- | ------------- | ----------- |
| Starter | 50 | Free |
| Pro | 2,450 | \$49/month |
| Max | 12,450 | \$249/month |
| Enterprise | 39,950 | \$799/month |
See our [Plans & Features](/billing/plans) page for the full comparison.
### How do credits work?
Each generation costs credits. The cost varies by model and output type. The generation interface shows an estimated cost before you generate. 1 credit = \$0.02 in value. See our [Credits guide](/billing/credits) for details.
### What happens when I run out of credits?
You'll see an insufficient credits message. Credits reset monthly on your billing anniversary, or you can upgrade your plan for more capacity.
### Do unused credits roll over?
No. Credits reset each billing cycle and do not carry over to the next month.
### Does the Prompt Assistant use my credits?
No. The Prompt Assistant does not consume your generation credits.
## Image and video generation
### How long does generation take?
Image generation typically takes 10-30 seconds per model. Video generation takes 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the model and duration settings.
### Can I generate videos?
Yes! Open Canva supports 20+ video models with both text-to-video and image-to-video modes. See our [Video Generation guide](/video-generation/introduction).
### Can I generate multiple images at once?
Yes. You can select up to 4 models per request to generate simultaneously, and some models support multiple images per model. See our [Multi-Model Generation guide](/image-generation/multi-model).
### Why did my generation fail?
Common causes include model unavailability, unsupported settings, credit limits, or network issues. Failed models in a multi-model batch don't block other models from completing. See our [Troubleshooting Guide](/features/troubleshooting) for solutions.
### How do I get better results?
* Write detailed, specific prompts
* Use the Prompt Assistant for AI-powered suggestions
* Choose models appropriate for your use case
* Attach reference images for style guidance
* Experiment with different aspect ratios
See our [Best Practices Guide](/features/best-practices) for more tips.
## Models
### How many models are available?
Open Canva currently offers 25+ image models and 20+ video models. The library updates regularly as new models become available. See the [full model list](/image-generation/models).
### Which model should I use?
* **Photorealistic**: Flux 2 Max, GPT Image 1.5, Imagen 4
* **Text in images**: Ideogram V3
* **Fast iteration**: Flux Schnell, Nano Banana, Seedream V5 Lite
* **Cinematic video**: Kling V3 Pro, Google Veo 3.1, MiniMax Hailuo 2.3
### Why is a model grayed out?
The model doesn't support your currently selected aspect ratio. Change the aspect ratio or pick a different model.
## Sessions and organization
### What are sessions?
Sessions are containers that organize your generations. Each session holds multiple images and videos, helping you group related work.
### How do I organize my sessions?
Use folders, drag-and-drop reordering, and search to manage sessions. The sidebar shows all your sessions with status indicators. See our [Sessions Guide](/sessions/organizing).
### Can I delete sessions?
Yes. Deleting a session removes all generations within it. Download any images or videos you want to keep first.
## Technical questions
### What browsers are supported?
Open Canva works in modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Keep your browser updated for the best experience.
### Is my data secure?
Open Canva uses industry-standard security practices including encrypted connections, secure authentication, and row-level security on all database tables.
### Can I use Open Canva offline?
No. Generation requires an internet connection as processing happens on cloud infrastructure.
## Getting help
### Where can I get help?
* **Documentation**: Browse these guides
* **Help & Support**: Access from Settings in the app
* **Contact form**: Send a message to the support team from the app
* **Slack community**: Join our [Slack workspace](https://join.slack.com/t/opencanva/shared_invite/zt-3lpksjh34-N3RVKC88oObXOy2cJxEQQQ)
### How do I report a bug?
Use the Contact Us option in Settings. Include details about what happened, steps to reproduce, and any error messages.
## Related guides
Get started with Open Canva.
Solutions to common issues.
Compare plans and features.
In-app help and contact support.
# Help & Support
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/features/help-support
Find help with Open Canva through in-app support, documentation links, keyboard shortcuts, and direct contact options for your account.
## Getting help
Open Canva provides several ways to get help and find information while you work.
## In-app help
### Help & Support in Settings
Access **Help & Support** from the Settings menu to find:
* Links to this documentation
* Contact support options
* Account and billing help
### Keyboard shortcuts
Press **Cmd/Ctrl + /** to view available keyboard shortcuts. You can also find the shortcuts reference in the Settings menu.
See the full list of keyboard shortcuts.
## Contacting support
### Contact form
Use the **Contact Us** option in Settings to send a message to the support team. The form automatically includes helpful context (your browser, current page, and account info) to speed up resolution.
### Support tiers
| Plan | Support level |
| ---------- | ----------------- |
| Starter | Email support |
| Pro | Priority support |
| Max | Priority support |
| Enterprise | Dedicated support |
## Community
Join the Open Canva Slack community to connect with other users, share tips, and get help from the community.
Join the Open Canva community on Slack.
## Self-service resources
Solutions to common issues.
Frequently asked questions.
Tips for better results.
Work faster with shortcuts.
# Keyboard Shortcuts
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/features/shortcuts
Complete list of keyboard shortcuts in Open Canva for faster navigation, image generation, and editing. Open the shortcut panel with Cmd/Ctrl + /.
## Overview
Open Canva supports keyboard shortcuts to help you work faster. Press **Cmd/Ctrl + /** at any time to view available shortcuts in the app.
## Generation shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + Enter** | Generate (execute current prompt) |
| **Escape** | Cancel or close dialogs |
## Editing shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| ------------------------ | -------------------- |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + Z** | Undo |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z** | Redo |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + S** | Save |
| **Delete / Backspace** | Delete selected item |
## Navigation shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + /** | Show keyboard shortcuts |
| **Tab** | Navigate between interface elements |
| **Enter** | Confirm actions or submit forms |
| **Arrow keys** | Navigate lists and menus |
| **Escape** | Close dialogs, deselect |
## Text input shortcuts
Standard text editing shortcuts work in all text fields:
| Shortcut | Action |
| ---------------- | --------------- |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + A** | Select all text |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + C** | Copy |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + V** | Paste |
| **Cmd/Ctrl + X** | Cut |
## Discovering shortcuts
* **Cmd/Ctrl + /**: Opens the shortcuts reference panel
* **Tooltips**: Hover over buttons to see their keyboard shortcuts
* **Help & Support**: Access the shortcuts list from Settings
**Learn gradually**: Master the most common shortcuts first (Cmd+Enter to generate, Cmd+Z to undo), then add more as you build muscle memory.
## Platform differences
| Platform | Modifier key |
| --------------- | ------------ |
| macOS | **Cmd** (⌘) |
| Windows / Linux | **Ctrl** |
## Accessibility
Open Canva is designed for full keyboard navigation:
* **Tab**: Navigate through interactive elements
* **Enter / Space**: Activate buttons and controls
* **Arrow keys**: Navigate lists and menus
* **Escape**: Close dialogs and cancel actions
All interactive elements include ARIA labels for screen reader compatibility.
## Related guides
More ways to get help.
Tips for efficient workflow.
Get started with Open Canva.
Learn about session management.
# Troubleshooting Guide
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/features/troubleshooting
Solutions to common issues in Open Canva. Fix problems with image generation, account access, sessions, dashboard, and other features.
## Common issues and solutions
### Image generation problems
#### Generation fails or errors
**Possible causes:**
* Invalid prompt
* Unsupported settings combination
* Model unavailable
* Account limits reached
* Network issues
**Solutions:**
* Verify prompt is valid and not empty
* Check settings are compatible with selected model
* Try a different model
* Check your account limits and credits
* Ensure stable internet connection
* Try again after a few minutes
#### Images look blurry or low quality
**Possible causes:**
* Low resolution settings
* Insufficient prompt detail
* Model limitations
* Settings not optimized
**Solutions:**
* Increase image size settings
* Add more detail to your prompt
* Try a different model known for quality
* Increase inference steps if available
* Use quality-enhancing prompt modifiers
#### AI isn't following my prompt
**Possible causes:**
* Prompt too vague
* Conflicting instructions
* Guidance scale too low
* Model interpretation differences
**Solutions:**
* Make prompt more specific and detailed
* Remove contradictory terms
* Increase guidance scale if available
* Try a different model
* Break complex prompts into simpler elements
#### Generation takes too long
**Possible causes:**
* High quality settings
* Complex prompt
* Large image size
* Server load
**Solutions:**
* Reduce inference steps
* Use smaller image size
* Simplify prompt if very complex
* Try a faster model
* Wait during peak usage times
### Account and authentication
#### Can't sign in
**Solutions:**
* Verify email address or social account is correct
* Check if email verification is required
* Try resetting password (email accounts)
* Clear browser cache and cookies
* Try a different browser
* Check if account is locked or suspended
#### Email verification not received
**Solutions:**
* Check spam or junk folder
* Verify email address is correct
* Wait a few minutes and check again
* Request new verification email
* Check email service isn't blocking messages
#### Can't access dashboard
**Solutions:**
* Ensure you're logged in
* Check internet connection
* Refresh the page
* Clear browser cache
* Try a different browser
* Check for service status updates
### Session issues
#### Can't create session
**Solutions:**
* Check if you're logged in
* Verify account permissions
* Try refreshing the page
* Check for error messages
* Ensure session limit not reached
#### Sessions not appearing
**Solutions:**
* Refresh the page
* Check if you're viewing correct account
* Verify filters aren't hiding sessions
* Check if sessions are in folders
* Try searching for session name
#### Can't delete session
**Solutions:**
* Ensure you have permission
* Check if session is currently active
* Try refreshing and attempting again
* Verify you're selecting correct session
* Check for error messages
### Dashboard and analytics
#### Dashboard not loading
**Solutions:**
* Refresh the page
* Check internet connection
* Clear browser cache
* Try a different browser
* Wait a few minutes and try again
* Check for service status
#### Metrics seem incorrect
**Solutions:**
* Verify time range selected
* Check if filters are applied
* Ensure viewing correct account
* Data may take time to update
* Refresh to get latest data
#### Charts not displaying
**Solutions:**
* Refresh the page
* Check browser compatibility
* Clear browser cache
* Disable browser extensions
* Try a different browser
* Check internet connection
### Reference images
#### Reference image upload fails
**Solutions:**
* Check file format (JPEG, PNG supported)
* Verify file size isn't too large
* Ensure image isn't corrupted
* Try a different image
* Check internet connection
* Clear browser cache
#### Reference image not being used
**Solutions:**
* Verify upload completed successfully
* Check model supports reference images
* Ensure prompt references the image
* Try re-uploading the image
* Check image is in correct format
### Cost and credits
#### Unexpected charges
**Solutions:**
* Review generation history
* Check model costs
* Verify settings used
* Review account billing
* Contact support if charges seem incorrect
#### Credits not appearing
**Solutions:**
* Check payment confirmation
* Verify payment was successful
* Wait a few minutes for processing
* Check account settings
* Contact support if issue persists
#### Can't generate (no credits)
**Solutions:**
* Check credit balance
* Add credits to account
* Verify account limits
* Check for account restrictions
* Review billing status
## Getting help
### Self-service resources
* **Documentation**: Check relevant guides
* **FAQ**: Review frequently asked questions
* **Dashboard**: Check for system status
* **Account settings**: Review account information
### Contact support
If issues persist:
* **GitHub Issues**: Report bugs and issues
* **Support email**: Contact support team
* **Community**: Ask in community forums
* **Documentation**: Search for specific guides
## Prevention tips
**Keep software updated**: Use latest browser versions.
**Stable connection**: Ensure reliable internet for generation.
**Clear cache regularly**: Prevent browser issues.
**Monitor account**: Check limits and credits regularly.
## Related guides
Frequently asked questions.
Tips for avoiding common issues.
Account management guide.
Generation process guide.
# Account Setup and Authentication
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/getting-started/account-setup
Create your Open Canva account, sign in with email or Google, configure your profile, and manage authentication and account settings.
## Creating your account
Sign up for Open Canva using any of these methods:
* **Email and password**: Enter your first name, last name, email, and a secure password
* **Google OAuth**: Click "Sign in with Google" for one-click access
Google sign-in is the fastest way to get started -- no password to remember.
If you sign up with email and password, you'll receive a verification email. Click the link to activate your account.
Google sign-ups skip email verification since your identity is already confirmed by the provider.
After sign-up, you'll land in the app with **50 free credits** on the Starter plan. Create a session and start generating immediately.
## Authentication methods
| Method | How it works |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Email + Password** | Traditional sign-up with email verification |
| **Google** | One-click OAuth, uses your Google account |
You can sign in with any method linked to your account. If you signed up with email, you can still use Google sign-in later if it shares the same email address.
## Account management
### Profile settings
Access your account settings to manage:
* **Profile information**: Update your first and last name
* **Password**: Change your password (email accounts only)
* **Subscription**: View and manage your plan
### Password recovery
If you forget your password:
1. Click **Forgot password** on the sign-in page
2. Enter your email address
3. Check your inbox for a reset link
4. Set a new password
For security, the reset flow does not reveal whether an email address has an account.
## Organizations
Open Canva supports organizations for team collaboration. After signing in, you may be prompted to create or join an organization.
## Troubleshooting
* Verify you're using the correct email address
* Check if you need to verify your email (check spam folder)
* Try resetting your password
* If you signed up with Google, use Google sign-in
* Clear your browser cache and cookies
* Check your spam or junk folder
* Verify the email address is correct
* Wait a few minutes and check again
* Request a new verification email from the sign-in page
Currently, email address changes are not supported. You'll need to create a new account with a different email address.
If your Google account shares the same email as your Open Canva account, you can use either method to sign in.
## Next steps
Now that your account is set up, create your first image.
# Image Generation Guide
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/introduction
Guide to AI image generation in Open Canva covering the generation process, available models, key features, and configuration settings.
## How image generation works
Open Canva uses advanced AI models to transform text prompts into high-quality images. Simply describe what you want to see, and our platform generates images that match your vision.
### The generation process
Describe the image you want to create using natural language. Be as specific as possible about:
* Subject matter
* Style and mood
* Colors and lighting
* Composition and framing
Choose your preferred:
* AI model
* Image size and aspect ratio
* Advanced parameters (optional)
Click generate and wait for the AI to create your image. This typically takes 10-30 seconds.
View your result, download if satisfied, or regenerate with different settings.
## Key features
Choose from various AI models, each with unique strengths and styles.
Upload reference images to guide the AI and achieve consistent results.
Fine-tune generation with size, aspect ratio, inference steps, and more.
Generate with multiple models simultaneously to compare results.
## Understanding prompts
The quality of your prompt directly affects the quality of your generated image. Effective prompts include:
* **Clear subject**: What is the main focus?
* **Style description**: Realistic, artistic, cartoon, etc.
* **Composition**: Close-up, wide shot, portrait, landscape
* **Mood and atmosphere**: Bright, dark, peaceful, energetic
* **Details**: Colors, lighting, textures, background elements
Learn advanced techniques for crafting prompts that produce amazing results.
## Generation status
During generation, you'll see status updates indicating progress:
* **Preparing**: Setting up the generation request
* **Generating**: AI is creating your image
* **Processing**: Finalizing the image
* **Complete**: Your image is ready
Learn more about generation status and what each stage means.
## Best practices
**Start simple**: Begin with straightforward prompts and gradually add complexity.
**Experiment**: Try different models and settings to discover what works best for your needs.
**Use reference images**: For consistent characters or styles, reference images are invaluable.
**Iterate**: Don't expect perfection on the first try. Regenerate with variations to refine your results.
## Common use cases
* **Concept art**: Visualize ideas and concepts
* **Marketing materials**: Create images for campaigns and social media
* **Personal projects**: Generate artwork for personal use
* **Prototyping**: Quickly visualize design concepts
* **Creative exploration**: Experiment with different styles and ideas
## Next steps
Master the art of writing effective prompts.
Learn which model to use for different scenarios.
Understand all available generation settings.
Tips and tricks for better results.
# AI Models
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/models
Browse all available AI models in Open Canva for image and video generation. Understand model strengths, specializations, and when to use each one.
## Overview
Open Canva provides access to 25+ image models and 20+ video models from leading AI providers. Each model has unique strengths -- understanding them helps you get the best results for your use case.
## Image models
### Flagship models
| Model | Best for | Notes |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Flux Schnell** | Fast photorealistic images | Quick iteration, good default |
| **Flux 2 Max** | Premium photorealism | Highest-quality Flux output |
| **Flux 2 Flex** | Flexible creative output | Good balance of speed and quality |
| **GPT Image 1.5** | General-purpose, versatile | OpenAI's latest image model |
| **Ideogram V3** | Text in images, typography | Best for designs that include words |
| **Imagen 4 Preview** | Google's flagship image model | High fidelity and prompt adherence |
| **Seedream V5 Lite** | Fast, high-quality generation | Good for rapid exploration |
| **Seedream V4.5** | Detailed creative imagery | Strong style control |
### Specialized models
| Model | Best for | Notes |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Grok Imagine** | Creative and artistic output | xAI's image generation |
| **Kling O1 Image** | Cinematic, high-detail images | Strong composition |
| **Nano Banana** | Fast affordable generation | Budget-friendly option |
| **Nano Banana Pro** | Higher-quality Nano output | Better detail than base |
| **Nano Banana 2** | Latest Nano generation | Improved quality and speed |
| **OneReward** | Reward-optimized output | Trained on human preferences |
| **Qwen Image 2** | Multi-style generation | Versatile Chinese AI model |
| **Qwen Image 2 Pro** | Premium Qwen output | Higher detail and fidelity |
| **Runway Gen-4 Image** | Cinematic, film-like stills | Runway's latest model |
| **Wan v2.6** | General-purpose | Versatile across styles |
## Video models
Open Canva supports both **text-to-video (T2V)** and **image-to-video (I2V)** generation:
| Model | T2V | I2V | Notes |
| ----------------------- | --- | --- | ------------------------------- |
| **Kling 2.6 Pro** | Yes | Yes | High-quality cinematic video |
| **Kling V3 Standard** | Yes | Yes | Balanced quality and speed |
| **Kling V3 Pro** | Yes | Yes | Premium Kling output |
| **MiniMax Hailuo 2.3** | Yes | Yes | Fast, good motion quality |
| **Google Veo 3.1** | Yes | Yes | Google's latest video model |
| **Wan 2.6** | Yes | Yes | Versatile general-purpose video |
| **Grok Imagine Video** | Yes | Yes | xAI video generation |
| **Kandinsky 5 Pro** | Yes | Yes | Artistic video styles |
| **Kandinsky 5 Distill** | Yes | -- | Fast artistic video |
| **LTX-2 19B** | Yes | Yes | Open-source high-quality |
| **LTX 2.3** | Yes | Yes | Fast LTX variant |
| **Decart Lucy 14B** | -- | Yes | Image-to-video specialist |
Learn about video generation modes, duration limits, and download formats.
## Choosing the right model
* **Photorealistic photo**: Flux 2 Max, GPT Image 1.5, Imagen 4
* **Design with text**: Ideogram V3
* **Fast iteration**: Flux Schnell, Seedream V5 Lite, Nano Banana
* **Cinematic look**: Runway Gen-4, Kling O1
* **Video content**: Kling V3 Pro, Veo 3.1, Hailuo 2.3
Faster models (Flux Schnell, Nano Banana) are great for exploring ideas. Premium models (Flux 2 Max, Imagen 4) produce higher fidelity but take longer.
Select up to 4 models per request to generate the same prompt across different models and compare results side by side.
## Model compatibility
Not all models support every aspect ratio or feature. The app automatically:
* Grays out models that don't support your selected aspect ratio
* Shows which modes (T2V, I2V) each video model supports
* Validates settings before generation
**Model availability updates regularly.** New models are added as they become available from providers. Check the model selector in the app for the latest list.
## Related guides
Compare results across multiple models.
Configure aspect ratio and other parameters.
Generate videos with AI models.
Track which models you use most.
# Multi-Model Generation
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/multi-model
Generate images with multiple AI models at once in Open Canva, compare outputs side by side, and pick the best style for your project.
## What is multi-model generation?
Multi-model generation allows you to create images with multiple AI models at the same time using a single prompt. This lets you:
* **Compare results**: See how different models interpret the same prompt
* **Save time**: Generate multiple variations without waiting for each individually
* **Find the best fit**: Discover which model works best for your specific needs
* **Explore options**: Quickly see different artistic interpretations
## How it works
In the model selection interface, choose up to four AI models to run in parallel.
Each model produces one image; failed models won't block successful ones.
Write your prompt as you normally would. All selected models will use the same prompt.
Pick the shared aspect ratio for the batch and (optionally) attach reference images. All selected models use the same prompt and references.
Click generate. Open Canva will create images with all selected models simultaneously.
Once generation completes, you’ll see the batch in your session history. Open the batch to flip through each model’s output and download or reuse them as references.
## When to use multi-model generation
### Exploring different styles
Generate the same prompt with multiple models to see different artistic interpretations:
* **Flux**: Photorealistic, detailed
* **Ideogram**: Text-friendly, modern
* **Other models**: Various styles and approaches
### Finding the right model
Use multi-model generation to discover which model works best for your specific use case without generating multiple times sequentially.
### Client presentations
Show clients multiple options at once, demonstrating different approaches to the same concept.
### Learning and experimentation
Compare how different models handle the same prompt to better understand each model's strengths.
## Best practices
**Start with 2-3 models**: This keeps comparisons clear without overloading the batch.
**Use clear prompts**: Well-written prompts help all models produce better results.
**Compare systematically**: Note which models excel at different types of prompts.
**Consider costs**: Each selected model counts as its own generation and cost line item.
## Comparing results
When you receive multiple results:
1. **Review each image**: Look at quality, detail, and style
2. **Check prompt adherence**: See which models followed your prompt most closely
3. **Evaluate aesthetics**: Determine which style matches your vision
4. **Note strengths**: Identify what each model does well
5. **Save favorites**: Download or save the results you like best
## Tips for better comparisons
**Use consistent settings**: Keep settings the same across models for fair comparison.
**Document results**: Take notes on which models work best for different prompt types.
**Iterate**: If one model produces better results, try variations with that model.
## Limitations
**Generation time**: Multi-model runs wait for each model to finish; you may see staggered completions.
**Resource usage**: Each model consumes credits separately.
**Settings compatibility**: Aspect ratios are validated automatically—if a model cannot support a choice, you’ll be prompted to adjust.
## Use case examples
### Product visualization
Generate product images with multiple models to see different presentation styles:
* Photorealistic (Flux)
* Clean design aesthetic (Ideogram)
* Compare and choose the best fit
### Character design
Create character concepts with different models to explore various art styles:
* Realistic approach
* Stylized approach
* Choose the style that fits your project
### Marketing materials
Generate multiple options for campaigns:
* Different artistic interpretations
* Various compositions
* Select the most effective for your audience
## Related guides
Learn about individual models and their strengths.
Write prompts that work well across different models.
Track which models you use most and their success rates.
General tips for getting great results.
# Writing Effective Prompts
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/prompts
Prompt-writing techniques, best practices, and real examples for producing high-quality AI-generated images with Open Canva models.
## Introduction to prompts
A prompt is the text description you provide to tell the AI what image to generate. The quality and detail of your prompt directly impacts the quality of your generated image.
## Prompt structure
Effective prompts typically include these elements:
1. **Subject**: What is the main focus of the image?
2. **Style**: What artistic style or aesthetic?
3. **Composition**: How is the image framed?
4. **Details**: Colors, lighting, mood, background
5. **Quality modifiers**: Terms that enhance output quality
## Writing techniques
### Be specific and descriptive
**Weak prompt:**
```
A cat
```
**Strong prompt:**
```
A fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill, golden hour lighting, soft focus, cozy home interior, warm color palette
```
### Include style and mood
Add style descriptors to guide the aesthetic:
* **Artistic styles**: "watercolor painting", "digital art", "photorealistic", "sketch"
* **Mood**: "serene", "dramatic", "playful", "mysterious"
* **Era/period**: "medieval", "futuristic", "vintage 1950s"
### Describe composition
Tell the AI how to frame the image:
* **Shot type**: "close-up", "wide shot", "portrait", "landscape view"
* **Angle**: "bird's eye view", "low angle", "eye level"
* **Focus**: "shallow depth of field", "everything in focus"
### Add technical details
Include lighting, colors, and technical aspects:
* **Lighting**: "soft natural light", "dramatic shadows", "neon lighting"
* **Colors**: "warm color palette", "monochrome", "vibrant colors"
* **Quality**: "high detail", "sharp focus", "professional photography"
## Example prompts
### Landscape photography
```
A serene mountain landscape at sunset, snow-capped peaks in the background, a calm alpine lake in the foreground reflecting the orange and pink sky, dramatic clouds, golden hour lighting, photorealistic, high detail, 4K quality
```
### Character design
```
A friendly robot character, round and approachable design, blue and white color scheme, large expressive eyes, standing pose, clean vector art style, modern illustration, bright and cheerful mood
```
### Abstract art
```
Abstract geometric patterns, vibrant gradient colors transitioning from purple to pink to orange, flowing organic shapes, digital art style, high contrast, dynamic composition, modern aesthetic
```
### Product visualization
```
A minimalist coffee mug on a wooden table, soft natural lighting from the left, shallow depth of field, white background, product photography style, clean and professional, high resolution
```
## Advanced techniques
### Using style references
Reference specific artistic styles:
```
A cyberpunk cityscape, inspired by Blade Runner aesthetic, neon signs in Japanese and English, rain-soaked streets, flying vehicles, night scene, cinematic lighting, highly detailed
```
### Combining concepts
Merge different ideas creatively:
```
A steampunk version of a Victorian library, brass gears and clockwork mechanisms integrated into bookshelves, warm gas lamp lighting, cozy atmosphere, detailed illustration style
```
### Negative prompts
While Open Canva doesn't use explicit negative prompts, you can guide away from unwanted elements by being specific about what you want:
**Instead of**: "A cat, not a dog"
**Better**: "A cat sitting on a windowsill" (specificity naturally excludes dogs)
## Common mistakes to avoid
**Too vague**: "Something cool" won't produce good results. Be specific.
**Contradictory terms**: Avoid mixing conflicting styles like "photorealistic cartoon".
**Over-complicating**: Too many elements can confuse the AI. Focus on the most important aspects.
**Ignoring composition**: Without composition guidance, the AI may not frame the image as you envision.
## Tips for better results
**Start broad, then refine**: Begin with a general concept, then add specific details in subsequent generations.
**Use reference images**: Upload reference images to guide style and composition when available.
**Experiment with models**: Different models interpret prompts differently. Try multiple models for the same prompt.
**Iterate and learn**: Each generation teaches you what works. Keep notes on successful prompt patterns.
## Prompt templates
Use these templates as starting points:
### Portrait template
```
[Subject] portrait, [style], [lighting], [mood], [background description], [quality modifiers]
```
### Landscape template
```
[Location] landscape, [time of day], [weather], [composition], [color palette], [style], [quality]
```
### Product template
```
[Product] on [surface], [lighting setup], [background], [style], [angle], [quality modifiers]
```
## Related guides
Learn which models work best for different prompt types.
Use reference images to enhance your prompts.
Understand how settings affect prompt interpretation.
More tips for getting great results.
# Using Reference Images
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/reference-images
Upload reference images in Open Canva to guide AI generation and maintain consistent character, style, or composition across outputs.
## What are reference images?
Reference images are photos or illustrations you upload to guide the AI during image generation. They help the AI understand:
* **Style**: Artistic style, color palette, mood
* **Composition**: Layout, framing, perspective
* **Subject details**: Character appearance, object features, textures
* **Atmosphere**: Lighting, environment, overall feel
## When to use reference images
Reference images are particularly useful for:
* **Character consistency**: Maintaining the same character across multiple images
* **Style matching**: Replicating a specific artistic style
* **Composition guidance**: Achieving a particular layout or framing
* **Color palette**: Matching specific color schemes
* **Texture and detail**: Preserving specific textures or details
## Uploading reference images
Choose a clear, high-quality reference image:
* Good resolution (at least 512x512 pixels recommended)
* Clear subject matter
* Relevant to your prompt
* Appropriate file format (JPEG, PNG)
In the image generation interface:
1. Open the References panel in your session
2. Drag-and-drop or click to upload (up to five stored per session)
3. Wait for upload to complete
4. Verify the image appears and select up to three before generating
Combine your reference image with a descriptive prompt:
* Describe what you want to change or modify
* Specify elements to keep from the reference
* Add details not present in the reference
Click generate. The AI will use both your prompt and reference image to create the result.
## Best practices
### Choosing reference images
**High quality**: Use clear, well-lit reference images for best results.
**Relevant content**: Choose references that match what you're trying to create.
**Simple compositions**: References with clear, uncluttered compositions work best.
### Writing prompts with references
**Be specific**: Describe what to keep from the reference and what to change.
**Mention the reference**: Explicitly call out elements you want preserved.
**Add new details**: Use the prompt to add elements not in the reference image.
## Use case examples
### Character consistency
**Goal**: Generate multiple images of the same character
1. Upload a clear character reference
2. Use prompts like: "Same character in \[new scenario], maintaining appearance from reference"
3. Generate multiple variations
### Style matching
**Goal**: Match a specific artistic style
1. Upload an image in the desired style
2. Prompt: "New subject in the style of the reference image"
3. The AI will adapt the style to your new subject
### Composition guidance
**Goal**: Achieve a specific layout
1. Upload reference with desired composition
2. Prompt: "Different subject but same composition and framing as reference"
3. Generate with new subject in similar layout
## Limits and behavior
* **Uploads per session**: Store up to five reference images in a session.
* **Selections per run**: Attach up to three references to a single generation request (platform limit).
* **Reusing outputs**: Recently generated images appear alongside uploads so you can immediately reuse them as references.
* **No strength sliders**: References act as guidance only; there are no blending or weight controls in the UI.
## Limitations and considerations
**Not exact copying**: Reference images guide the AI but don't produce exact copies. The AI interprets and adapts the reference.
**Copyright**: Only use reference images you have rights to use. Don't use copyrighted material without permission.
**Quality matters**: Low-quality or unclear reference images may not produce good results.
## Tips for better results
**Combine multiple references**: Use up to three to balance pose, style, or composition cues.
**Iterate**: Try different reference images or combinations to find what works best.
**Use with prompts**: Reference images work best when combined with descriptive prompts.
## Troubleshooting
* Verify the image uploaded successfully
* Check that the model supports reference images
* Ensure your prompt references the image
* Try a more specific prompt
* Use a clearer reference image
* Adjust reference strength if available
* Experiment with different models
* Check file format (JPEG, PNG supported)
* Verify file size isn't too large
* Try a different image
* Check your internet connection
## Related guides
Learn how to write effective prompts when using references.
Understand reference image settings and controls.
Learn which models handle reference images best.
More tips for getting great results.
# Generation Settings
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/settings
Complete guide to image and video generation settings in Open Canva. Learn about model selection, aspect ratios, reference images, and generation controls.
## Overview
Open Canva exposes a focused set of controls so you can generate quickly without tuning low-level parameters. The app automatically handles backend defaults like inference steps and guidance; you only manage the settings below.
## Model selection
* Choose **up to four models per request**. One image (or video) is produced per selected model.
* All selected models share the same prompt and aspect ratio.
* Models that don't support your selected aspect ratio are automatically grayed out.
* Switch between the **Image** and **Video** tabs to access different model categories.
Start with a single model, then add more to compare results side by side within the same batch.
## Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio picker maps to supported image sizes for each model. Open Canva supports 18 aspect ratios organized by orientation:
### Landscape
| Aspect ratio | Common use |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| 16:9 | Widescreen, presentations, social media banners |
| 4:3 | Standard landscape, product photos |
| 3:2 | Photography standard, print |
| 5:4 | Social media posts |
| 21:9 | Ultra-wide, cinematic |
| 2:1 | Panoramic |
### Portrait
| Aspect ratio | Common use |
| ------------ | ------------------------------ |
| 9:16 | Mobile, Stories, Reels, TikTok |
| 3:4 | Standard portrait |
| 2:3 | Photography portrait, print |
| 4:5 | Instagram portrait |
### Square
| Aspect ratio | Common use |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| 1:1 | Social media posts, profile images |
The default aspect ratio is **16:9 landscape**. The UI maps your selection to the optimal resolution for each selected model -- no manual dimension entry required.
### Resolution tiers
Images are generated at resolution tiers (0.5K, 1K, 2K, 4K) depending on the model and your plan's upscale limits:
| Plan | Max upscale resolution |
| ---------- | ---------------------- |
| Starter | 2K |
| Pro | 8K |
| Max | 22K |
| Enterprise | 22K |
## Number of images
Some models support generating multiple images per request. The number selector adjusts based on the selected model's capabilities.
## Reference images
* Upload up to **5 reference images per session** and reuse them across prompts.
* Attach **up to 3 references per generation request** to guide results.
* Uploaded references appear in the References panel; toggle selections before running a prompt.
* References can also be uploaded across sessions for reuse in any project.
Learn how reference images guide AI output.
## Prompt enhancement
* Use the **Enhance** action to expand or refine your prompt before generating.
* Enhanced text can be kept in sync with the editor or discarded at any time.
* For deeper prompt planning, use the [Prompt Assistant](/sessions/prompt-assistant).
## What isn't configurable
Some parameters are handled automatically and are not exposed in the UI:
* Inference steps and guidance scale
* Seed selection
* Negative prompts or style presets
This keeps the interface streamlined while enforcing safe defaults and model-specific requirements.
## Settings reference
| Setting | Purpose | Notes |
| ------------------ | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Models | Which engines run | 1-4 models per request; one output per model |
| Aspect ratio | Composition and size | 18 ratios mapped to model-supported dimensions |
| Number of images | Output count | Model-dependent availability |
| Reference images | Guide style/content | Up to 3 per run; reuse uploads across sessions |
| Prompt enhancement | Improve prompt quality | Optional helper before generation |
## Troubleshooting settings
The model doesn't support your selected aspect ratio. Change the aspect ratio or select a different model.
* Try a higher-quality model (e.g., Flux 2 Max instead of Flux Schnell)
* Check if your plan supports higher upscale resolutions
* Make your prompt more detailed and specific
* Premium models take longer than fast models
* Video generation is slower than image generation
* Check your concurrent job limit (varies by plan)
## Related guides
Browse all available models and their strengths.
Combine effective prompts with the right settings.
Upload reference images to guide output.
See resolution limits and features by plan.
# Understanding Generation Status
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/image-generation/status
Learn about image generation status indicators in Open Canva. Understand what each status means and how to track your image generation progress.
## 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.
## Status stages
### 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.
### 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.
### 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
### 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.
## 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
## Understanding timing
### 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
### Typical generation times
* **Fast models**: 10-15 seconds
* **Standard models**: 15-25 seconds
* **High quality**: 25-40 seconds
* **Multi-model**: Longer (multiple images)
## 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.
## 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
## 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
## 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.
## Related guides
Learn the basics of image generation.
Understand how settings affect generation time.
More help with common issues.
Learn how generations are saved to sessions.
# Open Canva documentation
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/index
Open Canva is an AI visual creation platform with 25+ image models, 20+ video models, a Prompt Assistant, and multi-model comparison.
## Welcome to Open Canva
Open Canva is an AI-powered visual creation platform that helps creative professionals produce high-quality images and videos using state-of-the-art AI models. Generate with 25+ image models and 20+ video models, plan with an AI Prompt Assistant, and compare results across models side by side.
Create your first AI-generated image in minutes with our step-by-step guide.
## Key Features
Generate images from text prompts using 25+ AI models including Flux, Ideogram, Imagen, GPT Image, and more.
Create videos from text or images with 20+ video models including Kling, Veo, Hailuo, and more.
Plan generations with an AI chat assistant that recommends models, writes prompts, and builds generation plans.
Generate with up to 4 models simultaneously to compare results and find the perfect style.
Upload reference images to guide AI output for consistent style, characters, and composition.
Track usage, monitor costs, and analyze which models work best for your needs.
## Getting Started
New to Open Canva? Follow these steps:
Sign up with your email or use Google OAuth for quick access.
Learn about account creation and authentication options.
Enter a prompt, select models, and generate. The Prompt Assistant can help you write effective prompts.
Step-by-step instructions for your first generation.
Try video generation, multi-model comparisons, and reference images.
Browse all available image and video models.
## Popular Guides
Learn how to write prompts that produce the best results.
Understand which AI model works best for your use case.
Compare plans, credits, and feature limits.
Tips and tricks for getting the most out of Open Canva.
## Need Help?
In-app help, contact support, and community resources.
Common issues and their solutions.
Frequently asked questions about Open Canva.
Work faster with keyboard shortcuts.
**Pro Tip**: Start with the Prompt Assistant to plan your generations. It recommends models and writes optimized prompts based on your creative goals.
# Create your first AI-generated image
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/quickstart
Get started with Open Canva in minutes. Learn how to create your first AI-generated image with step-by-step instructions and examples.
## Create your first AI-generated image
Get started with Open Canva and create your first image in just a few minutes.
Create an account using one of these methods:
* **Email and password**: Sign up with your email address
* **Google**: Sign in with your Google account
New accounts receive **50 free credits** on the Starter plan.
Learn more about account creation and authentication options.
Once logged in, click **New Session** in the sidebar or select an existing session.
Sessions organize your generations. Each session can contain multiple image and video generations.
In the prompt input field, describe the image you want to create. Be specific and descriptive:
**Good examples:**
* "A serene mountain landscape at sunset with snow-capped peaks and a calm lake in the foreground"
* "A futuristic cityscape at night with neon lights and flying cars, cyberpunk style"
* "A cozy coffee shop interior with warm lighting, wooden furniture, and plants"
**Less effective:**
* "A picture"
* "Something cool"
Learn advanced techniques for writing prompts that produce better results.
Pick the AI models you want to use (up to four at once) and select an aspect ratio. The default 16:9 landscape works well for most use cases.
Start with a single model like **Flux Schnell** for fast results, then try multi-model generation to compare outputs.
Browse 25+ image models and 20+ video models.
* **Reference images**: Attach up to three references to guide the style and composition.
* **Prompt Assistant**: Open the chat panel to get AI-powered model recommendations and prompt refinement.
Plan generations with the AI assistant.
Click the **Generate** button. You'll see:
1. A shimmer animation while each selected model processes
2. Real-time image appearance as each model completes
3. One image per selected model in your session history
Generation typically takes 10-30 seconds per model depending on complexity and queue load.
Once your image is generated:
* **View details**: Click any image to see full resolution, model info, and the prompt used
* **Download**: Click the download button to save your image
* **Regenerate**: Try again with different prompts, models, or settings
* **Share**: Save and organize your best work across sessions
Don't be afraid to experiment! Try variations of your prompt or different models to see what works best.
## Example: Your first image
1. **Prompt**: "A peaceful forest scene with tall pine trees, dappled sunlight, and a winding path"
2. **Model**: Flux Schnell (fast and reliable)
3. **Aspect ratio**: 16:9 landscape
4. **Generate**: Click generate and wait for your image
Congratulations! You've created your first AI-generated image with Open Canva.
## Next steps
Create AI-generated videos from text or images.
Generate with multiple models simultaneously to compare results.
Upload references to guide AI output for consistent style.
Compare plans, credits, and features.
## Common questions
Image generation typically takes 10-30 seconds per model. Video generation takes 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the model and duration.
Credit cost varies by model and output type. The generation interface shows an estimated cost before you generate. See our [Credits guide](/billing/credits) for details.
Yes! Switch to the Video tab in the model selector to choose from 20+ video models. See our [Video Generation guide](/video-generation/introduction).
Images are available in PNG format. Videos can be downloaded as MP4, GIF, WebP, or PNG (single frame).
# Creating Sessions
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/sessions/creating
Learn how to create new sessions in Open Canva. Step-by-step guide to creating, naming, and setting up sessions for your image generation work.
## Creating a new session
Creating a session is simple and quick. Here's how to get started:
Look for the sessions sidebar on the left side of the interface. This shows all your existing sessions and folders.
Find and click the "New Session" button (usually a plus icon or button at the top of the sidebar).
You can also use keyboard shortcuts if available. Check the shortcuts guide for details.
Enter a descriptive name for your session. Good names help you find and organize your work later.
**Good session names:**
* "Client Project - Website Images"
* "Character Design Exploration"
* "Social Media Campaign - Q4"
* "Personal Art - Nature Series"
**Less helpful names:**
* "Session 1"
* "Test"
* "New"
Once created, your session is active and ready. Start generating images, and they'll be saved to this session automatically.
## Naming best practices
### Be descriptive
Choose names that clearly indicate the session's purpose:
* **Project-based**: Include project name or identifier
* **Purpose-based**: Describe what you're creating
* **Client-based**: Include client name if applicable
* **Date-based**: Add dates for time-sensitive work
### Use consistent conventions
Establish a naming pattern that works for you:
* **Format examples**:
* `[Project] - [Purpose]`
* `[Client] - [Date]`
* `[Category] - [Description]`
### Keep it concise
While being descriptive, keep names reasonably short for easy scanning in your sidebar.
## Session options
### Creating in folders
You can create sessions directly within folders:
1. Navigate to or create the desired folder
2. Create a new session within that folder
3. The session will be organized under that folder
Learn more about folder organization.
### Default session
If you don't select a session, Open Canva may create a default session or prompt you to create one before generating.
## Tips for session creation
**Create before generating**: Set up your session structure before starting to generate images.
**Use templates**: If you have recurring project types, create a naming template to follow.
**Rename later**: You can always rename sessions if you need to adjust the name.
## Managing sessions
### Renaming sessions
To rename an existing session:
1. Right-click or use the session menu
2. Select "Rename"
3. Enter the new name
4. Save changes
### Deleting sessions
To delete a session:
1. Right-click or use the session menu
2. Select "Delete"
3. Confirm deletion
Deleting a session removes all generations within it. Make sure you've downloaded any images you want to keep.
## Related guides
Learn more about what sessions are and why to use them.
Learn how to organize sessions with folders and structure.
View and manage your session history.
Learn shortcuts for faster session management.
# Session History
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/sessions/history
Learn how to view and manage your session history in Open Canva. Access past generations, review prompts, and track your creative process.
## Viewing session history
Your session history shows all image generations within a session, allowing you to:
* **Review past work**: See all images you've created
* **Track progress**: Watch how your ideas evolved
* **Learn from prompts**: Review which prompts produced the best results
* **Reuse settings**: Remember which settings worked well
## Accessing history
### Within a session
When viewing a session, you'll see:
* **Batch groups**: Each generation run grouped by timestamp
* **Chronological order**: Newest batches first
* **Thumbnails**: Quick previews for every image in the batch
* **Details**: Click to open a modal with the full image, model info, and download options
### Session details
Click on any generation to see:
* **Full image**: High-resolution view
* **Prompt used**: The exact prompt that created it
* **Settings**: Model, size, and other settings used
* **Metadata**: Date, time, status
* **Actions**: Download single images or the whole batch, reuse settings, mark images as references
## History features
### Batch overview
* Batches show how many images were generated together and which models ran.
* Status badges highlight completed and failed items within each batch.
### Downloads
* Download any individual image from the modal.
* Use the "Download all" action on a batch to grab every image at once.
### Reuse past work
* Restore prompts and settings from a previous item to rerun or tweak.
* Add images from history directly to your reference library.
## Using history effectively
### Learning from past work
Review your history to improve:
* **Successful prompts**: Note which prompts produced great results
* **Settings combinations**: Remember effective setting combinations
* **Model performance**: Track which models work best for different types
* **Iteration patterns**: See how you refined ideas over time
### Reusing successful elements
From your history, you can:
* **Copy prompts**: Reuse effective prompts as starting points
* **Replicate settings**: Use the same settings that worked well
* **Reference images**: Use previous generations as reference images
* **Build on success**: Iterate from your best results
## History management
### Organizing within sessions
* Use descriptive prompts to make items easy to scan.
* Start new sessions for unrelated projects to keep history focused.
* Download important images you want to archive outside the app.
## Best practices
**Review regularly**: Periodically review your history to learn what works.
**Take notes**: Use session names and prompts to document your process.
**Clean up**: Delete test generations and failed attempts to keep history manageable.
**Download favorites**: Save your best work locally as backup.
## Troubleshooting
* Make sure you're viewing the correct session
* Check if you're filtering or searching
* Refresh the page
* Verify you're logged into the correct account
* Check if you're viewing the right session
* Some older generations may be archived
* Verify your account limits
* Check your internet connection
* Try downloading individual images
* Verify file permissions
* Check browser download settings
## Related guides
Learn more about sessions.
Create new sessions for your work.
View usage statistics across all sessions.
Tips for effective workflow management.
# Sessions Overview
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/sessions/introduction
Learn how sessions in Open Canva help you organize image generations, track your creative work, and maintain context across projects.
## What are sessions?
Sessions are containers that help you organize your image generation work in Open Canva. Each session can contain multiple image generations, allowing you to:
* **Group related work**: Keep images from the same project together
* **Maintain context**: Track prompts and settings used together
* **Organize efficiently**: Structure your work with folders and naming
* **Track progress**: See your generation history in one place
## Why use sessions?
### Organization
Sessions help you stay organized by grouping related generations:
* **Project-based**: Create a session for each project
* **Client work**: Separate sessions for different clients
* **Experimentation**: Dedicated sessions for testing ideas
* **Personal projects**: Organize personal creative work
### Context preservation
Sessions maintain the context of your work:
* **Prompt history**: See all prompts used in a session
* **Settings tracking**: Remember which settings worked well
* **Reference images**: Keep reference images with related generations
* **Iteration tracking**: See how your ideas evolved
### Workflow efficiency
Sessions streamline your workflow:
* **Quick access**: Jump between different projects easily
* **Search and filter**: Find specific sessions quickly
* **Drag-and-drop**: Reorganize folders and sessions directly in the sidebar
* **Reuse context**: Restore prompts and settings from past generations without retyping
## Session features
Learn how to create and name sessions effectively.
Use folders, search, and organization tools.
View and manage your generation history.
Use AI-powered prompt enhancement within sessions.
## How sessions work
Start a new session or select an existing one from your sidebar.
You can have multiple sessions active, but you work in one at a time.
All images you generate are saved to the current session automatically.
Use folders, rename sessions, and organize your work as it grows.
Access your session history to review past generations and iterate on ideas.
## Session structure
### Session components
Each session contains:
* **Session name**: Customizable identifier
* **Generation history**: All images created in the session
* **Prompt history**: Record of prompts used
* **Settings**: Remembered preferences
* **Metadata**: Creation date, last modified, etc.
### Folder organization
Organize sessions into folders:
* **Project folders**: Group related sessions
* **Client folders**: Separate client work
* **Category folders**: Organize by type or purpose
* **Nested folders**: Create sub-folders for detailed organization
## Best practices
**Name descriptively**: Use clear, descriptive names that help you find sessions later.
**Use folders**: Organize sessions into folders for better structure.
**One project per session**: Keep related work together in dedicated sessions.
**Regular cleanup**: Archive or delete old sessions to keep your workspace organized.
## Related guides
Step-by-step guide to creating sessions.
Learn organization techniques.
Generate images within your sessions.
View session statistics in your dashboard.
# Organizing Sessions
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/sessions/organizing
Organize sessions in Open Canva using folders, search, and drag-and-drop so your image generation projects stay structured and accessible.
## Organization overview
Open Canva provides several tools to help you organize your sessions and keep your work structured:
* **Folders**: Group related sessions together
* **Search**: Quickly find specific sessions
* **Drag and drop**: Reorganize with simple interactions
* **Naming**: Use descriptive names for easy identification
## Using folders
### Creating folders
In the sessions sidebar, look for the folder creation option (usually a folder icon with a plus).
Enter a descriptive folder name that represents the group of sessions it will contain.
**Good folder names:**
* "Client Projects"
* "2024 Campaigns"
* "Personal Art"
* "Experiments"
Move sessions into folders by dragging and dropping, or create new sessions directly within folders.
### Folder structure
Create a folder hierarchy that makes sense for your workflow:
```
📁 Client Work
📁 Project A
📄 Session 1
📄 Session 2
📁 Project B
📄 Session 1
📁 Personal Projects
📁 Character Design
📁 Landscapes
📁 Experiments
📄 Test Session 1
📄 Test Session 2
```
## Drag and drop
### Moving sessions
1. **Click and hold** on a session in the sidebar
2. **Drag** it to the desired location
3. **Drop** it into a folder or new position
### Reordering
Drag sessions within the same folder to reorder them:
* Move important sessions to the top
* Group related sessions together
* Organize by date or priority
## Search functionality
### Finding sessions
Use the search feature to quickly locate sessions:
1. **Open search**: Click the search icon or use keyboard shortcut
2. **Enter keywords**: Type part of the session name
3. **View results**: Matching sessions appear instantly
Search works on session names, so descriptive naming makes search more effective.
### Search tips
* **Partial matches**: Search finds sessions containing your search term
* **Case insensitive**: Search works regardless of capitalization
* **Real-time**: Results update as you type
## Organization strategies
### By project
Group sessions by project or client:
```
📁 Website Redesign
📄 Homepage Images
📄 Product Pages
📄 Blog Graphics
📁 Marketing Campaign
📄 Social Media
📄 Email Graphics
📄 Print Materials
```
### By date
Organize chronologically:
```
📁 2024
📁 Q1
📁 Q2
📁 Q3
📁 Q4
```
### By purpose
Group by use case:
```
📁 Client Deliverables
📁 Personal Projects
📁 Experiments
📁 Templates
```
## Best practices
**Start organized**: Set up your folder structure early rather than organizing later.
**Be consistent**: Use consistent naming and organization patterns.
**Regular cleanup**: Periodically review and archive or delete old sessions.
**Use folders liberally**: Don't be afraid to create folders. Better organization makes work easier.
## Advanced organization
### Nested folders
Create folders within folders for detailed organization:
* **Top level**: Broad categories
* **Second level**: Specific projects or clients
* **Sessions**: Individual work sessions
### Session tags or labels
While Open Canva may not have explicit tags, you can use naming conventions:
* Prefix with category: `[CLIENT] Project Name`
* Use separators: `Project - Category - Date`
* Include status: `[ACTIVE] Project Name`
## Maintenance
### Regular review
Periodically review your session organization:
* **Archive old work**: Move completed projects to archive folders
* **Delete unused**: Remove test sessions and experiments you no longer need
* **Reorganize**: Adjust structure as your workflow evolves
### Backup important work
Before deleting or archiving:
* Download important images
* Export session data if available
* Keep backups of critical work
## Related guides
Learn how to create new sessions.
View and manage your generation history.
Use shortcuts for faster organization.
More tips for effective workflow.
# Prompt Assistant
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/sessions/prompt-assistant
Use the AI-powered Prompt Assistant to plan generations, enhance prompts, and get model-aware suggestions tailored to each AI model.
## What is the Prompt Assistant?
The Prompt Assistant is an AI chat interface built into every session. It goes beyond simple prompt enhancement -- it can plan multi-step generation workflows, recommend models, and help you iterate on your creative vision through conversation.
## How it works
The Prompt Assistant is accessible from the chat panel in your session. Click the chat icon or use the keyboard shortcut to open it.
Tell the assistant what you're trying to create. You can be as vague or specific as you like:
* "I need a hero image for a fitness app landing page"
* "Create a series of product shots for a coffee brand"
* "Help me generate a cinematic sci-fi scene"
The assistant generates a **plan** with recommended models, aspect ratios, and refined prompts. You can review and adjust before executing.
Apply the plan to generate images directly, or continue the conversation to refine your direction.
## Key features
### Plan tool
The Prompt Assistant's primary capability is the **Plan tool** -- it creates structured generation plans that include:
* Recommended AI models based on your use case
* Optimized prompts with style, composition, and technical details
* Suggested aspect ratios and settings
* Support for both image and video generation
Plans can be applied directly to the generation bar with one click.
### Model-aware suggestions
The assistant understands the strengths and limitations of each available model. When you describe your goal, it recommends the most appropriate models:
* Photorealistic needs → Flux 2 Max, Imagen 4
* Text-heavy designs → Ideogram V3
* Cinematic video → Kling V3 Pro, Veo 3.1
* Fast exploration → Flux Schnell, Nano Banana
### Reference image support
You can attach reference images directly in the chat using drag-and-drop or paste. The assistant will factor these references into its plan, using them to guide model selection and prompt refinement.
Reference images attached in chat are tagged with `@image1`, `@image2`, etc., and can be referenced in follow-up messages.
### Streaming responses
The assistant streams responses in real time, so you see suggestions as they're generated rather than waiting for the full response.
## Tips for effective use
**Be specific about your end use**: Telling the assistant "this is for a social media ad" vs. "this is for a print poster" leads to very different recommendations.
**Iterate through conversation**: Don't expect the perfect plan on the first try. Respond with feedback like "make it more dramatic" or "try a wider aspect ratio" to refine.
**Attach references**: Drag and drop reference images into the chat to give the assistant visual context alongside your text description.
## Related guides
Learn manual prompt writing techniques.
Browse available models and their strengths.
Upload references to guide AI output.
Tips for getting great results.
# Video Generation
Source: https://docs.opencanva.co/video-generation/introduction
Create AI-generated videos from text prompts or images. Learn about supported video models, duration options, and download formats in Open Canva.
## Overview
Open Canva supports AI video generation alongside image generation. You can create videos from text prompts (text-to-video) or from existing images (image-to-video) using a growing library of video models.
## How video generation works
In the model selector, switch to the **Video** tab. Pick one or more video models to run.
Describe the motion and scene you want. Video prompts benefit from action words and camera direction:
* "A golden retriever running through a field of wildflowers, slow motion, cinematic"
* "Camera slowly orbiting around a futuristic city at night, neon lights reflecting off wet streets"
* **Text-to-Video (T2V)**: Generate a video entirely from your text prompt.
* **Image-to-Video (I2V)**: Attach a reference image and the model animates it into a video.
Not all models support both modes. The UI indicates which modes each model supports.
Click **Generate**. Video generation typically takes longer than image generation (30 seconds to several minutes depending on the model and duration).
Videos appear in your session history with a play button overlay and autoplay on hover.
## Available video models
Open Canva includes a wide selection of video models:
| Model | Modes | Notes |
| ---------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Kling 2.6 Pro** | T2V, I2V | High-quality cinematic output |
| **Kling V3 Standard** | T2V, I2V | Balanced quality and speed |
| **Kling V3 Pro** | T2V, I2V | Premium Kling output |
| **MiniMax Hailuo 2.3** | T2V, I2V | Fast generation, good motion |
| **Google Veo 3.1** | T2V, I2V | Google's latest video model |
| **Wan 2.6** | T2V, I2V | Versatile general-purpose video |
| **Grok Imagine Video** | T2V, I2V | xAI's video generation |
| **Kandinsky 5 Pro** | T2V, I2V | Artistic video styles |
| **LTX-2 19B** | T2V, I2V | Open-source high-quality video |
Model availability updates regularly. Check the model selector in the app for the latest list.
## Video duration
Video duration limits depend on your subscription plan:
| Plan | Maximum duration |
| ---------- | ---------------- |
| Starter | 5 seconds |
| Pro | 5 seconds |
| Max | 10 seconds |
| Enterprise | Unlimited |
## Downloading videos
Click the download button on any generated video to choose your format:
* **MP4** -- Standard video format, best compatibility
* **GIF** -- Animated GIF for easy sharing
* **WebP** -- Animated WebP, smaller file size than GIF
* **PNG** -- Extract a single frame as a still image
## Tips for video generation
**Describe motion explicitly**: Unlike image prompts, video prompts should describe what moves and how. "A bird soaring across a sunset sky" works better than "a bird at sunset."
**Use Image-to-Video for control**: If you have a specific starting frame in mind, generate the image first, then use I2V to animate it.
**Expect longer generation times**: Video models are more compute-intensive. Plan for 30 seconds to a few minutes per generation.
## Related guides
Learn about AI image generation.
Browse all available image and video models.
See duration limits and credits by plan.