Hello everyone,
MakerLab's generative features are increasingly used for compute-intensive scenarios like Image to 3D and Make My Statue. The current "consume Credit upon export" rule can no longer support the growing generation demand, and it limits our ability to optimize queuing and integrate higher-quality models and features.
Therefore, we plan to officially launch the updated MakerLab Credit billing and acquisition rules in late June 2026.
After the new version goes live, some generative features will switch from "consume Credit upon export" to "consume Credit upon generation". Credit consumption for some features will also be adjusted based on actual compute costs. The exact cost varies by feature and generation type, and will be clearly shown before you start a generation.
Beyond billing changes, this adjustment lays the foundation for faster, more stable, higher-quality generation going forward.
This announcement covers the core changes, transition arrangements, and how previously exchanged Credits will be handled.
1. Core Changes
After the new version launches, Credit billing and acquisition will change as follows:
- Billing timing changes: Some generative features will switch from "consume upon export" to "consume upon generation";
- Per-generation cost increases: Per-generation Credit consumption for some features will increase, potentially reaching 30+ Credits;
- Free trial method changes: Monthly free Credits will be replaced by limited account-level feature trial uses, no longer refreshing monthly;
- Points exchange rate changes: The MakerWorld Points to MakerLab Credit exchange rate will change; the current 1:10 (MakerWorld Points to MakerLab Credits) rate will be discontinued;
- Historical exchanges can be refunded: Eligible unused Credits exchanged via MakerWorld Points can be refunded to Points based on historical exchange records;
- Direct purchase added: Direct purchase of MakerLab Credits will be supported.
We'll also roll out generation experience and feature improvements at launch and in subsequent updates:
- For relevant generators, the maximum number of supported projects will increase from 30 to 500;
- Make My Statue will support retaining multiple generation results, and higher-precision 3D model versions will roll out gradually;
- Concurrent Image to 3D tasks will increase from 1 to 5, with more advanced, higher-quality models from different providers integrated later.
Future updates will go beyond the items above, with more generation capabilities and experience improvements to come.
To ease the transition, each account can still exchange Credits at the 1:10 ratio with a limited quota from this announcement's release date until launch.
2. Why We're Adjusting the Billing Method
Currently, some generative features mainly charge a small amount of Credit at export, with generation itself essentially free. This lowered the barrier to try features but brought clear limitations.
Generation tasks incur substantial real compute costs. For Image to 3D:
- Users typically consumed only 2 Credits when exporting a model;
- At the current Points exchange value, those 2 Credits are worth less than 0.02 USD;
- The actual compute cost per generation can exceed 0.2 USD;
- Users often generate multiple times before exporting just one result.
In other words, past pricing covered only a small fraction of compute costs; when users generate multiple times and export only one result, real coverage may drop below 1/30 of the actual cost.
As users and demand grow, we've had to limit concurrent generation tasks to control compute spending and concurrency, leading to queuing and long waits for some users.
Switching to "consume Credit upon generation" aligns Credit consumption more closely with actual compute costs, creating room to improve generation speed, queue stability, model quality, and new feature rollouts.
3. Transition Arrangements and Timeline
1. After This Announcement
From the publication date until the new version launches:
- The current Credit price and "consume upon export" rule remain unchanged;
- Each account can still exchange up to 150 Credits at the 1:10 ratio; further 1:10 exchanges are unavailable once the quota is used;
- Already-exchanged Credits will remain valid and will not be cleared or frozen.
2. At New Version Launch
The new billing rules are expected to launch in late June 2026. The exact timing is subject to the official launch notice.
The following changes will take effect simultaneously at launch:
- Some generative features will start consuming Credits under the new generation-based rules;
- Monthly free Credits will be replaced by limited account-level feature trial uses;
- The 1:10 Points-to-Credit exchange rate will be officially discontinued;
- The new exchange rate takes effect: 80 MakerWorld Points for 600 MakerLab Credits;
- The portal for refunding historically exchanged Credits to Points will open;
- Direct purchase of MakerLab Credits will go online.
4. Free Trial Method Changes
After launch, instead of issuing a fixed number of free Credits each month, we'll provide a limited number of account-level feature trial uses.
These trial uses apply to designated features, do not refresh monthly, and won't auto-recover next month once used up. Specific counts, applicable features, and validity are subject to in-product prompts.
The current monthly free Credits (which expire within the month) will be canceled at launch. Unused portions won't carry over and aren't eligible for Points refunds.
5. Points to Credit Exchange Changes
The MakerWorld Points to MakerLab Credit exchange rate will be adjusted alongside other changes.
The current 1:10 ratio won't be discontinued immediately. Until launch, each account can still exchange at 1:10 with a limited quota.
Specifically:
- Each account can exchange up to 150 Credits at 1:10 during the transition period;
- Once the quota is reached, the account cannot exchange further at 1:10;
- The 1:10 rate is officially discontinued at launch;
- The new rate is 80 MakerWorld Points for 600 MakerLab Credits.
6. Refunding Historical Exchanged Credits to Points
We understand the new billing method affects Credits' real purchasing power for generation.
So for unused MakerLab Credits exchanged via MakerWorld Points, we'll offer the option to refund Points after launch.
Eligible for refund:
- Unused Credits exchanged via MakerWorld Points before this announcement;
- Unused Credits exchanged via MakerWorld Points during the transition period.
Refund rules:
- Based on corresponding historical exchange records;
- Calculated using the actual exchange rate at that time, not the new rate;
- Used Credits are not refundable;
- Credits not from Points exchange are not refundable;
- Monthly free Credits expiring within the month are not refundable;
- Credits from events, compensations, or other special sources are not refundable.
The refund portal opens at launch. You'll be able to view refundable Credits, corresponding Points, and related exchange records there.
7. Direct Credit Purchase
After launch, direct purchase of MakerLab Credits will be supported.
Direct purchase will be the primary way to acquire Credits, suited for users who use MakerLab features continuously and frequently.
Points-to-Credit exchange will remain, but as a supplementary benefit for active community users. You can earn Points through MakerWorld community engagement and contributions, then exchange them for some Credits.
Pricing, tiers, validity, and refund rules for direct purchases will be announced at launch.
8. FAQ
1. Is this a price increase?
Yes. For some generative use cases, post-adjustment Credit consumption will rise significantly, and the same Credit amount will support fewer generations.
This isn't just a change in deduction timing. Previously, some generative features mainly charged a small amount of Credit at export, with generation itself essentially free; after launch, these features will charge upon generation, aligning consumption with real compute costs.
Some features may consume 30+ Credits per generation. Exact costs will be clearly shown before you start.
2. What happens to my existing Credits?
After launch, the exchanged Credits can still be used for MakerLab features. However, due to consumption changes, the same Credit amount may support fewer generations.
If these exchanged Credits remain unused, you can apply for a Points refund based on historical exchange records after launch.
3. Will monthly free Credits continue?
No, not in the current form.
After launch, the fixed monthly free Credit issuance will be canceled and replaced by limited account-level feature trial uses.
These uses don't refresh monthly and won't auto-recover next month once used up.
The current monthly free Credits (expiring within the month) will be canceled at launch. Unused portions won't carry over and aren't eligible for Points refunds.
4. Why keep limited 1:10 exchange before launch?
To provide a transition window.
This gives users with ongoing needs time before the official rule switch.
So until launch, each account can still exchange at 1:10 with a limited quota. This avoids abrupt changes and lets users with genuine needs continue using MakerLab features.
5. What rate applies to Points refunds?
Refunds are based on your actual historical exchange records, not the new rate.
If you exchanged Credits at a more favorable rate during an event, the system calculates Points for remaining Credits based on historical exchange batches and consumption status. Refundable amounts and calculations are subject to the refund portal display.
6. How are failed or regenerated tasks billed?
For system-caused failures, the corresponding Credits are refunded.
Regeneration is billed as a new generation request. More billing details will be explained via in-product prompts at launch.
7. What's the difference between direct purchase and Points exchange?
Both yield MakerLab Credits usable for MakerLab features.
- Direct Purchase: Suited for continuous, high-frequency MakerLab use, and will be the primary way to acquire Credits going forward;
- Points Exchange: A benefit for active community users, suitable for supplementing Credits with MakerWorld Points.
9. Feedback
For questions or suggestions on this Credit billing adjustment, please share via our ticket system.
We'll keep collecting feedback and provide more rule details at launch, including Credit consumption standards, deduction rules, direct purchase pricing, validity periods, and the Points refund process.
