AI Features Overview
ArcBrush includes optional AI-powered nodes that wire into your graph like any other node. AI features require an internet connection and an account with credits.
AI Text to Image
Section titled “AI Text to Image”Generate images from text prompts. Choose from five models, from fast drafts to designer-grade output. See AI Text to Image for full parameter details.
| Model | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FLUX Fast (Schnell) | ~2–8s | Quick iteration, concept exploration, lowest cost |
| FLUX.2 Pro | ~15–35s | High-quality generation, professional output |
| Nano Banana 2 | ~15–40s | Best prompt understanding, optional web search, style transfer |
| FLUX.2 Max | ~20–45s | Highest fidelity from Black Forest Labs |
| GPT Image 2 | ~20–50s | Readable in-image text (signage, UI mockups, posters), strongest prompt adherence |
AI Image Edit
Section titled “AI Image Edit”Edit existing images with text instructions. Feed in one or more reference images and describe the change you want. See AI Image Edit for full parameter details.
| Model | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FLUX.2 Turbo | ~5–15s | Quick instruction-based edits, lowest editing cost |
| FLUX.2 Pro | ~15–30s | High-quality edits, professional workflows |
| FLUX.2 Max | ~20–40s | Highest fidelity edits, complex changes |
| Nano Banana 2 | ~15–40s | Restyling, multi-image fusion, complex creative edits |
| GPT Image 2 Edit | ~20–50s | Edits that need readable text, strict prompt adherence on complex instructions |
AI Remove Background
Section titled “AI Remove Background”AI background removal that produces a clean RGBA cutout with transparent background. Choose between four engines, all at the same flat credit cost. See AI Remove Background for details.
| Model | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| rembg | Very fast | Reliable general-purpose removal, open-source |
| Bria RMBG 2.0 | Fast | Higher quality edges, especially on hair and fur (default) |
| Ideogram | Fast | Illustrations, AI-generated art, and typography |
| Pixelcut | Fast | Product photography and e-commerce studio shots |
AI Upscale
Section titled “AI Upscale”4x super-resolution that adds realistic detail beyond what a simple resize can produce. See AI Upscale for details.
| Model | Best For |
|---|---|
| v1 | General-purpose upscaling, good for all image types |
| v2 | Photographs and non-AI-generated images (recommended) |
How AI Generation Works
Section titled “How AI Generation Works”AI nodes don’t auto-evaluate like other nodes. You control when a generation happens by clicking the Run button (labeled “Generate”, “Edit”, or “Remove Background” depending on the node).
The Run Button
Section titled “The Run Button”- Set your parameters (prompt, model, dimensions, etc.).
- The exact credit cost is shown in the node before you run.
- Click Run. The button changes to “Waiting in queue…” then “Generating…” while the request processes.
- The result appears in the Preview Panel and is automatically saved to disk.
The button is disabled while a generation is in progress. If you haven’t signed in yet, the button prompts you to sign in first. If your credit balance is below the cost, the button instead reads Need X more credits to Generate (or Edit / Run) and clicking it opens the purchase flow, so a request never fails mid-stream for lack of credits.
Running AI on a Batch
Section titled “Running AI on a Batch”When an AI node receives a batch input, clicking Run first opens a confirmation modal showing the total credit cost before anything is dispatched. Frames already cached from a prior run are pre-deducted, so you only pay for what is new. Each frame is cached individually, and any frames that fail can be retried with one click without re-paying for the ones that already succeeded.
Generation History
Section titled “Generation History”Every generation is saved to a sidecar folder next to your .arcb project file. If your project is hero.arcb, generations are saved in hero.arcb_data/.
When a node has more than one saved generation, a history dropdown appears in the properties panel. You can select any previous generation to view it instantly. No API call is needed; it loads directly from disk.
- Generations are numbered newest-first: “Generation 3 (latest)”, “Generation 2”, “Generation 1”.
- Selecting an older generation doesn’t delete newer ones. The full history is preserved.
- History is per-node, so each AI node in your graph maintains its own independent set of generations.
Cost Estimation
Section titled “Cost Estimation”Before you click Run, each AI node displays the exact cost based on the selected model and output dimensions. Higher-resolution outputs and more capable models cost more credits. The exact cost is also logged after each generation.
Credit Balance
Section titled “Credit Balance”Your credit balance is shown in the app’s status bar at the bottom, along with:
- Session total: credits spent since launching the app
- File total: credits spent on generations in the current project
Generation Log
Section titled “Generation Log”Every generation (successful or failed) is recorded in a local log file. This log includes timestamps, prompts, model used, dimensions, credit cost, and duration. It’s useful for tracking your spending and reproducing past results.
Stale Output Indicator
Section titled “Stale Output Indicator”If you change a prompt or input after generating, the node shows a precise staleness badge so you know exactly what diverged from the last successful run:
- Input changed — an upstream image or connection changed.
- Params changed — a parameter on the node itself changed.
- Out of date — both the input and the parameters changed.
Click Run again to generate with the updated settings. Reverting a slider or undoing an upstream change clears the badge automatically. The badge state is saved with the project, so it survives close and reopen.
Most AI models accept an optional seed value. Using the same seed with the same parameters produces the same output, which is useful for reproducing results. Set the seed to -1 (the default) to let the model choose a random seed each time.
How AI Fits the Graph
Section titled “How AI Fits the Graph”AI nodes are composable with every other node:
- Feed images into AI Image Edit to restyle, combine references, or turn sketches into art.
- Pipe AI output through Mask Refine to clean edges.
- Connect to Palette Remap to generate color variants of AI-generated art.
- Chain multiple AI nodes for complex multi-step workflows.
Non-AI Editing
Section titled “Non-AI Editing”All 83 non-AI nodes (every filter, transform, mask tool, and export) work without an account, without signing in, without limits. AI features are entirely optional.
Getting Started with AI
Section titled “Getting Started with AI”- Click Generate on any AI node.
- A browser window opens. Sign in with Google or email.
- Your account starts with 10 free credits.
- Purchase additional credit packs when needed.
See Credits & Pricing for details.