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Parallel Variants versus Variations

Compare multiple images from one send with a later Variations action.

Updated Jul 12, 2026 · 3 min read

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Variants and Variations both create multiple possible results. They happen at different times.

Composer Variants

Set the Composer count from 1 to 8 before sending. One message then creates that many parallel Variants.

Each Variant has its own:

  • Render
  • Render job
  • Progress stream
  • Output tile
  • Per-image credit charge

The images share the message's prompt, mode, model, quality, source, references, and Composition snapshot. Provider sampling can still produce different results.

The Feed keeps all Variants in one card. One failed or cancelled tile does not stop its siblings.

Use the stop control on one active tile to cancel that job. Cancel all appears when more than one job in the card remains active. Cancellation is accepted while a job is queued or generating. A job already uploading finishes instead.

The total cost is the per-image rate multiplied by the Variant count.

Feed Variations

Open a finished render's actions and select Variations. Then choose from 1 to 8 new images.

Variations resubmits the original:

  • Prompt
  • Mode
  • Model
  • Source and mask, when present
  • Composer reference images

The selected Variation count replaces the original count. Quality is currently pinned to Medium, even if the original used Low or High.

Each Variation is a new render charged at that model's Medium per-image rate. Missing original attachments disable the action.

The new submission snapshots the project's current Composition. It does not restore the original render's five-field snapshot.

Variants and Variations compared

Use Composer Variants when you know before sending that you want several parallel takes. They use the quality currently selected in Composer.

Use Variations after reviewing a finished render. They repeat its original inputs with a new count and Medium quality.

Interactive example

Variants and Variations comparison. The surrounding article includes the same guidance in static text.

The job counts and credit totals are calculated locally from CAD Scene's shared pricing helpers. No render is submitted.

Static comparison: Composer Variants split one Send into the chosen number of independent jobs. Variations start later from one finished result and create a new set of Medium-quality jobs. Both charge once per new image.

Both choices create a new Feed card with independent jobs. Neither duplicates an existing output file.

Regenerate and Retry are different

Regenerate with model creates one new image. It preserves the original prompt, mode, and attachments. You choose the model and a supported quality. The project's current Composition is snapshotted for the new render.

Retry appears on a failed tile. It creates one new image with the failed job's model, quality, prompt, and attachments.

Retry with model is the failed-tile version of Regenerate with model. It lets you change the model and quality before the new submission.

All three are charged new render submissions. The failed original is refunded separately.