# Key concepts

> The few words you need to read everything else here.

Source: https://docs.nocamclub.com/concepts

## Model

A named AI model, like `gpt-image-2` or `seedance-2.5`. Its `kind` is `image` (photos), `video` or `text`. See [Models](https://docs.nocamclub.com/models.md).

## Variant and price

One buyable combination of a model's settings: `720p`, 5 seconds, with or without a video among the files. Each variant has its own price in `prices`. Prices are whole credits, and they don't move with the prompt.

## Credit

The currency. **1 credit = $0.01.** There's one balance for everything. Only paid credits buy models directly: bonus credits are for scenes on the site. See your balance with `GET /v1/account`.

## Generation

One order: a model, its `input`, and what came of it. It starts as `queued`, moves to `running`, and ends as `succeeded`, `failed` or `canceled`. Its `outputs` hold the results. See [Generations](https://docs.nocamclub.com/api/generations.md).

## Route

One way we can reach a model. A model can have several. The cheapest one goes first, and if it fails the order moves to the next by itself. You never choose a route, and we don't name them. `routes` in a model says how many there are, and `no_fallback: true` means there's one, so if it's down the model is down.

## File

A photo, video or audio file for a generation. Send a public https address, or upload it first and use its `file_…` id. See [Uploads](https://docs.nocamclub.com/api/uploads.md).

## Mode: live and test

A key is either `nc_live_…` or `nc_test_…`. Live keys spend credits on real models. Test keys are the free [sandbox](https://docs.nocamclub.com/sandbox.md). The two don't see each other's generations.

## Level

Your account's limits: how many generations a minute, how many at once, and how many credits a day. See [Limits](https://docs.nocamclub.com/api/limits.md).