microsoft designer fumbles implementing new credit system

Microsoft Fumbles With Their Dalle-3 Model In Designer

Microsoft’s implementation of Open AI’s DALL-E 3 across their suite of AI image generation products has been marked by increasingly restrictive censorship, questionable model updates, and a controversial new credit system that has left many users frustrated and looking for alternatives.


Advertisement

Runpod.io Advertisement Banner

On January 16, 2024, Microsoft made significant changes to its credit system in Microsoft Designer and the other Microsoft 365 suite of apps reducing free users to only 15 generations per month.

Aggressive Censorship Taking Its Toll

The censorship implemented in Microsoft’s version of DALL-E 3 has become notably aggressive, to the point where even innocuous prompts containing words like “female” frequently fail to generate images. The system employs multiple layers of filtering: an initial text input filter for “inappropriate” words, a secondary filter that screens generated images for potentially harmful content, and most recently, an additional filter that actually rewrites user prompts to replace supposedly “harmful” words with “safe” alternatives.

This excessive filtering has severely limited the range of creative expression possible with the tool. Users attempting to create images with darker themes or moody atmospheres often find their carefully crafted prompts automatically rewritten, resulting in completely unusable outputs that bear no resemblance to the intended aesthetic. Instead of atmospheric or dramatic pieces, users frequently receive sanitized, cartoonish images with inappropriately cheerful elements – rendering the tool essentially useless for many creative purposes.

Ongoing Changes to Model Versions

Another sore point is Microsoft’s management of DALL-E 3 model versions. Following user dissatisfaction with the recent switch to version PR16, Microsoft has begun reverting to earlier versions like PR13 for both Bing Image Creator and Microsoft Designer. However, the rollback is being phased in and may take several weeks to complete.

The fact that you are stuck with one or the other and whichever one they choose is frustrating on its own (at least in other AI image generation tools like Ideogram and countless others, you can choose which model you want to use).

Microsoft’s Revised Credit System

On January 16, 2024, Microsoft overhauled its credit system, significantly reducing free usage:

  • Bing Image Creator: Retains 15 free daily boosts. But still allows images to be generated at slower rate afterward (for the time being)
  • Microsoft Designer:
    • Free users: 15 credits per month.
    • Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers: 60 credits per month (non-shareable within family plans).
    • Copilot Pro subscribers ($20/month): Unconfirmed limits on credits, though some reports suggest only 100 credits per month.

Notably, free users can no longer generate images at slower speeds once credits are exhausted in Designer, a feature available under the previous system.

These changes, paired with the limited credits for paid subscribers, have been widely criticized for offering poor value compared to competitors with such a butchered implementation of Dalle-3 as it is..

Better Alternatives Available

For users frustrated with Microsoft’s restrictions, several alternatives offer more generous terms and better quality outputs:

  1. Civitai.com
    A standout platform with unmatched community-driven features:
    • Free AI image generation credits.
    • Earn credits through activities like commenting and sharing content.
    • Use credits for advanced features such as training custom LoRA models and accessing text-to-video tools.
    • A highly recommended hub for those serious about generative AI, fostering creativity and collaboration.
  2. Leonardo.ai (Affiliate Link)
    • Daily free credits for high-quality image generation.
    • Extensive style customization options.
  3. Ideogram.ai
    • Focused on generating text-integrated images.
    • Free daily credits with a user-friendly interface.
  4. Local Models

These local solutions can be accessed through various interfaces such as ComfyUI, ForgeWebUI, SwarmUI, or InvokeAI.

While requiring some technical knowledge and a decent computer, these options provide consistent access without sudden policy changes or restrictions.

If you are new and looking for more information on these local alternatives that are available including tutorials and how to use these applications I recommend checking out the Creative Exploration /w Purz channel on YouTube or the Stable Diffusion Art website.

I also have a section dedicated to generative AI on this website where you can find tutorials and more.

Looking Forward

Microsoft’s recent changes to DALL-E 3, from its convoluted credit system to its increasingly unreasonable censorship policies, have alienated many users.

While their concern for responsible AI use is understandable, the current implementation appears to prioritize restriction over functionality.

With competitors like Civitai.com offering superior tools and community-driven innovation, Microsoft risks losing relevance in the generative AI space. For those seeking creative freedom, switching to more flexible platforms may be the best path forward.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shopping Cart
  • Your cart is empty.
Scroll to Top