# Choose a model for a Creative Tool > Use the Nodespell model picker and model hub to compare models, filter by maker, read estimates, and switch models without losing work. Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10 The model picker is where you choose which AI model a Nodespell Creative Tool runs. The picker lists only models that fit the tool's job, shows featured models first, previews what changes before you switch, and shows a credit estimate per run on paid plans. The separate model hub in Graph adds any model to the canvas as a model node. ## Open the model picker The model picker is the model card at the top of every Creative Tool, in the Create composer and in the **Parameters** panel for a Creative Tool node on the canvas. The card shows the model maker's logo, the maker name, and the model name. 1. Open a Creative Tool, for example **Image Generator** in Create. 2. Select the model card. The picker opens with the search field focused. 3. Point at a model, or move focus to it, to see its details in the preview pane. 4. Select the model name, or select **Use** followed by the model name in the preview pane. In Create, you can step through the list without opening it: use the **Previous model** and **Next model** arrows beside the card. They are unavailable when a tool has only one model. ## What do the sections in the model picker mean? The picker list has up to three sections, in this order. | Section | What it contains | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Favourites** | Models you marked as favourites that fit this tool. Appears only when you have one. | | **Featured** | Models Nodespell features for this kind of work. Appears only when the tool has featured models. | | **All models** | Every model that fits the tool, grouped by model family, with the maker named when it differs from the family name. | Inside **All models**, each family shows its versions as small buttons. Older versions with a newer one available are collapsed behind a **+** count; select it to show them, and **Show fewer** to hide them again. A dot marks a model that is new. When you type in the search field, the sections are replaced by a flat list of matches. You mark favourites with the star in the model hub or the Node Browser. The picker uses the same favourites. ## Filter and search models Search matches model names, makers, and features (the placeholder reads "Search models, makers, features"). Next to the search field, three menus narrow the list: | Filter | Narrows the list to | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Model maker** | One maker, such as Google or OpenAI | | **Features** | Models with one capability, such as accepting reference media | | **Best for** | Models suited to one task | Select **Clear filters** to remove all three. If nothing matches, the picker shows "No compatible results found." ## Read the model preview The preview pane shows the model you point at, or your current model when you point at nothing. | Item | What it tells you | | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Name and **New** badge | The model and whether it is new | | Maker | Who makes the model, plus a note such as "Nano Banana 2.1 available" when a newer version exists | | Summary | A one-paragraph description, when the pane is wide enough | | Fact badges | **Refs** (accepts reference media), **Audio** (can generate native audio), **Voice**, **Music**, or **SFX** for audio models, and output resolution, upscale, or clip-duration ranges | | **Paid plan** note | Shown for models that are part of paid plans | | **Current model** or **Switching from** | Whether this model is already selected | | **Your settings carry over** or a list of changes | What happens to your current settings if you switch | | **Cost per run** | The estimated credits per run, shown as current → new when you compare | ## How are credit estimates shown? On paid plans, the picker shows an estimate beside each model family and in the preview pane, and the run button shows the estimate for your current settings. When you set more than one generation in Create, the run button shows **Estimated total for** the number of runs. Estimates use these forms: | Display | Meaning | | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------- | | `~` followed by a number | Roughly that many credits | | A number followed by `+` | At least that many credits | | **Varies** | Cost depends on the size of your input | | **Unknown** | No estimate is available | On a free plan, a locked **Cost estimate** slot appears instead. Estimates follow your settings, so changing resolution or duration can change them. See [Plans and credits](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/). > **Note:** An estimate is not a fixed price. Model prices change, and the final charge depends on the completed work. ## What happens to my settings when I switch model? Nodespell moves each setting to the new model by its meaning, not by its name. A prompt stays a prompt, an aspect ratio maps to the closest one the new model supports, and an image size maps to the nearest size the new model can make. A value the new model cannot accept falls back to that model's default. What happens next depends on whether the node has run. | Situation | What Nodespell does | | ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | A Create draft that has not run | Switches immediately. The preview pane lists any setting that changes or is **not available**. | | A newer version in the same family | Shows "_model_ available" under the card with an **Upgrade** button. In a Create draft, if settings would change, an **Upgrade** dialog asks you to review the transfer first; on the canvas, the same rules as any other switch apply. | | A canvas Creative Tool node with no takes, nothing lost | Switches in place and tells you how many settings were adjusted. | | A canvas node with no takes, something would be lost | Opens **Review what will change**, listing **Settings that won't carry over** and **Connections that won't carry over**. Select **Change model** or **Cancel**. | | A canvas node that already has takes | Opens **Create a new model branch?**. A new node gets the new model; the original node, its selected take, and everything downstream stay unchanged. Select **Create branch** or **Cancel**. | | A model node selected while you work in Create | Opens **Create a model branch?** with **Preserved** and **Not copied** counts. Select **Create branch draft** to start a draft for a new downstream node, or **Keep current model**. | Switching never moves takes from one model to another. Earlier takes stay with the node that made them. See [Branch and switch presentation](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/branch-and-switch-presentation/). ## Browse every model in the model hub The model hub is a Graph panel for adding model nodes directly, outside any Creative Tool. Press `Shift+M` in the Graph Editor to show or hide it, and press `Escape` to close it. | Part of the model hub | What it does | | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Image**, **Video**, **Audio**, **Text**, **3D** | Show models that produce that type of output | | Search | Finds models by name ("Search AI models...") | | **Featured**, **Recent**, **Favourites**, **All models** | Switch between collections; **Recent** and **Favourites** appear when they have entries | | **Filters** | **Model maker**, **Model family**, **Features**, and **Best for** | | Maker headings | Group the models under each maker | | Star | Adds or removes the model from your favourites | | Hover detail | Shows the description, input and output types, and, on paid plans, the estimate with example prices where available | Select a model card to add it to the canvas, drag it to place it, or double-click it to add it and close the hub. If the selected node's outputs do not match what a model accepts, the hover detail shows "Not compatible with current selection." ## Frequently asked questions ### Why does a model not appear in a Creative Tool's picker? Each Creative Tool lists only models whose inputs and outputs fit its job and that are available to run. Use the model hub or the Tab menu to add any other model as an ordinary model node. ### Why can't I see credit estimates in the picker? Model credit estimates are shown on paid plans. On a free plan, a locked **Cost estimate** slot appears instead; you can still run models your plan allows. ### Does switching model delete my earlier results? No. Takes stay with the node that made them. If a node already has takes, a model change creates a new branch node and leaves the original untouched. ### Where do I set favourite models? Use the star on a model card in the model hub, or **Favourite** in the Node Browser. The model picker shows the same favourites in its **Favourites** section. ## Related - [Creative Tools overview](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/) — every tool and its default model - [Creative Tools on the canvas](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/on-the-canvas/) — switching models on a graph node - [Branch and switch presentation](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/branch-and-switch-presentation/) — how branches protect earlier work - [Plans and credits](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/) — what estimates mean for your balance