# Make your first image in Create

> Generate your first image in Nodespell Create with Image Generator, check the credit estimate, inspect the result, and continue from it.

Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10

This tutorial makes a first image in Nodespell with **Image Generator** in the **Create** workspace. You open a Project, choose a model, write a prompt, select **Generate**, and then inspect the result, which Nodespell keeps on an Image Generator node in the Project's graph so you can continue from it.

You need a Nodespell account with credits. Generating uses credits; the [plans and credits guide](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/) explains balances. The whole tutorial takes about five minutes plus generation time.

## Before you start: open a Project in Create

Create works inside a Project. A Project is the saved workspace that holds your graph, results and layout.

1. Sign in at [app.nodespell.com](https://app.nodespell.com). The dashboard lists your Projects.
2. Select **New Project**. If your dashboard is empty, select the **Make an image** or **Start a blank graph** card instead; each card creates a new Project.
3. Look at the left end of the top bar. The **Workspace mode** selector shows the current mode name: **Create**, **Graph** or **Immersive**.
4. If it does not say **Create**, open the selector and choose **Create** from the **Workspace** menu.

New accounts start in Create. The mode you choose is saved as your preference and applies to every Project you open.

> **Note:** Create needs a window at least 1080 pixels wide. In a narrower window Nodespell shows **Create needs a wider workspace** with an **Open Graph** button. Widen the window to return to Create.

## What is on the Create screen?

The Create screen has three areas from left to right.

| Area              | What it contains                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Create tools rail | **All tools**, then pinned tools: **Image Generator**, **Image to Video**, **Audio Generator**, **Image Upscaler**. Below a divider: **Assistant** (the [Agent](https://docs.nodespell.com/agent/)) and **Assets**. |
| Composer          | The selected tool's name, its model card, its controls, the **Generations** stepper and the main action button, such as **Generate**.                                                     |
| Graph             | The Project's real node graph. Every generation you start in Create adds or updates a node here.                                                                                          |

Select the expand button at the bottom of the rail to show tool names next to the icons. The rail can expand only when the window is wide enough.

## Generate an image

1. **Choose Image Generator.** Select **Image Generator** in the Create tools rail. The composer heading changes to **Image Generator** with the description "Create a new image from a prompt."

2. **Check the model.** The model card at the top of the composer shows the selected model. Keep it for your first run. To change it, select the card to open **Choose model**, or use the **Previous model** and **Next model** arrows beside it. See [Choose a model](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/).

3. **Write the prompt.** Type a description in the **Prompt** field. Name the subject, the setting, the lighting and the framing, for example: "A foggy harbor at dawn, fishing boats at anchor, soft golden light, 35mm film still".

4. **Review the other controls.** Controls such as **Aspect ratio**, **Resolution** and **Output format** appear only when the selected model supports them. Less common controls are inside **More settings**. Keep the defaults for now.

5. **Keep Generations at 1.** The **Generations** stepper next to the action button sets how many images Nodespell makes each time you select **Generate**, from 1 to 4.

6. **Check the cost.** On paid plans, the **Generate** button shows a credit estimate with a coin icon. On a free account the estimate slot shows a locked **Cost estimate** that explains paid plans show it.

7. **Select Generate.** Nodespell checks the required fields, submits the run, adds an **Image Generator** node to the graph, and selects it.

If a required field is empty or out of range, the field shows a message such as "This value is required." Fix it and select **Generate** again.

> **First-run guide:** On a new account, a **Make your first image** card can appear in the composer. **Try this example** fills in a sample prompt and, when one is available, a quick, low-cost model. **Another example** swaps the prompt. You can reopen the card from **Help** > **Show first-run guide**.

## Watch the run and inspect the result

While the node runs, the **Results** section at the top of the composer shows its state: **Submitting**, **Running**, then **Complete** or **Failed**. When you generate more than one image, a **Generation batch** list shows each generation's progress.

When the image is ready:

| Control                                       | What it does                                                                                              |
| --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Result preview                                | Shows the selected result inside the composer.                                                            |
| **View fullscreen**                           | Opens the result in the fullscreen viewer.                                                                |
| **Show older result** / **Show newer result** | Moves through earlier and later results on the same node. A counter shows the position, such as "2 of 3". |
| **Continue with this result**                 | Starts the next tool from this exact image. See the next section.                                         |

The image also appears on the **Image Generator** node in the graph on the right. Each result is a [take](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/): selecting **Generate** again with the same node selected adds a new take instead of replacing the old one.

To start a separate image instead of another take on the same node, click an empty area of the graph to clear the selection. The composer then holds a new draft, and the next **Generate** adds a new node.

## Continue from your result

Select **Continue with this result** under the preview. The **Continue with this result** dialog offers:

- **Image Upscaler**: "Create a larger, refined version of this image."
- **Image to Video**: "Use this image as the starting frame for a video."

Nodespell keeps the exact image you chose by adding a visible Asset node to the graph, named **Selected historical result**, and connects it to the new tool. New takes on the original node do not change it. The next tutorial, [Make your first image-to-video clip](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image-to-video/), uses this path.

## What if something goes wrong?

| Message                                            | What it means and what to do                                                                                          |
| -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Not enough credits**                             | The run needs more credits than your balance. The sheet shows the estimate and your balance. Top up or choose a plan. |
| A model name followed by **is part of paid plans** | The selected model needs a paid plan. Your prompt and settings stay as they are. Choose another model or a plan.      |
| **The Create action could not be completed.**      | The run was not submitted. Try again; if it keeps failing, see [Troubleshooting](https://docs.nodespell.com/reference/troubleshooting/).        |
| **Failed** in Results                              | The run was submitted but the model returned an error. Check the prompt and settings, then generate again.            |

## Frequently asked questions

### Where does Nodespell save my generated image?

Nodespell saves each result on the node that produced it, inside your Project. You can browse earlier results with **Show older result** and choose which take the graph uses. To download or reuse the image elsewhere, see [Export](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/export/) and the [Asset Manager](https://docs.nodespell.com/assets/asset-manager/).

### How many images can I generate at once in Create?

The **Generations** stepper allows 1 to 4 generations each time you select **Generate**. With more than one generation, the estimate on the button covers the whole batch.

### Why do the controls change when I pick another model?

Create shows only the controls the selected model supports. Switching models can add, remove or rename controls such as **Aspect ratio** or **Resolution**, and Nodespell tells you which settings could not be carried over.

### Can I see the graph Create built for me?

Yes. The graph on the right of the Create screen is the Project's real graph. Open it full size by choosing **Graph** in the **Workspace mode** selector, or select **Open unrestricted Graph editing** in the composer header.

## Related

- [Make your first image-to-video clip](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image-to-video/) — animate the image you just made.
- [Build your first graph](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-graph/) — build the same kind of work directly in Graph.
- [Image Generator](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-generator/) — every control and model option.
- [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) — browse and choose between results.
- [Plans and credits](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/) — how estimates and balances work.