Variants: try 3 versions and compare

"Make it lighter" has many answers: pockets, a thin shell with ribs, slimmer sections, cut-outs. Instead of picking one and hoping, ask for a few and compare them with real numbers.

Ask for versions

Any of these work:

• In the prompt bar: "try 3 versions that are lighter", "give me options for the handle", "two stiffer versions".
• ⌘K → Try versions…
• The lightbulb next to the prompt bar, right after you accept a change: Try 3 versions of …

The agent first shows what it will do and what it costs — for example Try 3 versions: lighter · 30 credits. Nothing runs until you press Generate (or Adjust to change the goal or how many, from 2 to 4).

What happens

1. The agent plans different directions toward your goal — not the same idea at three sizes. For "lighter" that might be Pocketed, Ribbed shell and Slim + fillets. If you name a direction yourself ("one with a hollow grip"), it keeps it. On Pro and Team, a "lighter" goal also gets an Optimised (generative design) version: the optimiser's lightest shape that still holds, checked with the simulation (see Generative design: make it lighter, still strong). Outcomes of a generative design study can be added here too, with Add to Variants.
2. Each direction is built in parallel by the same agent that makes your other changes, with real geometry checks. A version that doesn't build cleanly is dropped, not shown.
3. Each finished version is measured: weight, stiffness, print time, whether it needs supports, and material cost. The cards show the difference to your current design, like −24 g or +12 min.

The view replaces the editor while you compare. Drag any preview to orbit — all cards turn together. Back to the editor (or Esc) leaves; your model is untouched until you pick something.

Reading the numbers

Best balance marks the version with the most stiffness per gram.

Explore the tradeoff

On the Explore card, press Map the tradeoff. Solid Vibes sweeps the parameters the versions changed and measures the in-between designs on your device (no credits). Move the slider from Lighter to Stiffer to see what each point weighs and how stiff it is.

• Use this point applies that version with the in-between values.
• Generate more like this asks the agent for new versions near that point (costs credits like any run).

Keep the winner

Each card has these ways forward:

• Use this one — applies it to your model through the normal accept flow. Undo works, and a version is saved for you, as for any accepted AI change (see Automatic versions).
• Save as configuration — keeps the version as a configuration of your Thing (a row in its design table) instead of changing the model, so you can keep both and switch between them. Only versions that change sizes, materials or add features can be saved this way; for anything else, try it as an alternative.
• Try as alternative — puts the version on its own alternative (for example variant-a-pocketed) with a version that lists its numbers. Your model and the main design stay as they are; compare it in History any time. Maker plan and up.
• Use this alternative — tries it as an alternative and uses it in the main design in one step, so History shows exactly where it came from. Pro plan.

Credits

Each finished version costs the same as the "Design variant" line in Credits explained (5 in Fast, 10 in Smart by default — your admin may set other prices). Versions that don't work out are free. Smart is the default; Fast is cheaper and quicker.

Tips

• Be specific about what must not change: "lighter, keep the phone slot and the 15° angle".
• Name a direction to steer one card: "try 3 versions, one of them ribbed".
• Reload the page while versions are generating — they keep coming, and the cards come back.