---
title: Onceling glossary — generations, looks, layouts, and gift links
description: "Definitions for the terms used across Onceling: generations, character looks, in-page vs. facing-page text, gift links, and more."
locale: en
canonical: https://www.onceling.com/guide/glossary
---

# Onceling glossary — generations, looks, layouts, and gift links

Onceling's glossary defines terms like [generation](/guide/glossary#generation), [preview](/guide/glossary#preview), [character look](/guide/glossary#character-look), in-page and [facing-page text](/guide/glossary#facing-page-text), and [gift link](/guide/glossary#gift-link) — the words used throughout its guides and [FAQ](/faq).

## What is a generation on Onceling?

A [generation](/guide/glossary#generation) is the unit that pays for illustration work after your first [preview](/guide/glossary#preview) — regenerating a page, re-rendering [in-page text](/guide/glossary#in-page-text), or designing a new [character look](/guide/glossary#character-look). Every account starts with 5 free generations; a [generation pack](/guide/glossary#generation-credit) adds 10 more. See the [generation credits](/guide/generation-credits) guide at [/guide/generation-credits](/guide/generation-credits).

## What's the difference between a preview and a generation credit?

A [preview](/guide/glossary#preview) is the free milestone that shows a book's cover illustration and full story text — every account gets 2 free previews each calendar month. A [generation credit](/guide/glossary#generation-credit) is spent on illustration work after that: unlocking more preview pages, regenerating a page, re-rendering [in-page text](/guide/glossary#in-page-text), or designing a new [character look](/guide/glossary#character-look). They're separate pools; see the [generation credits](/guide/generation-credits) guide at [/guide/generation-credits](/guide/generation-credits).

## What is a character look?

A [character look](/guide/glossary#character-look) is an illustrated version of a saved character in one specific art style. Designing a new look costs 1 [generation](/guide/glossary#generation); once approved, that look can be reused in any future book sharing that exact style. Manage looks in your [character library](/characters) at [/characters](/characters), or read the character looks guide at [/guide/character-development](/guide/character-development).

## What's the difference between in-page text and facing-page text?

[In-page text](/guide/glossary#in-page-text) means the story's words are illustrated directly into the artwork; changing them later re-renders the page and uses 1 [generation](/guide/glossary#generation). [Facing-page text](/guide/glossary#facing-page-text) means the words are set in type on the page beside a full illustration, and text edits there are always free. See the [book layouts](/guide/book-layouts) guide at [/guide/book-layouts](/guide/book-layouts).

## What is a gift link?

A [gift link](/guide/glossary#gift-link) is an unlisted digital URL to your finished book, so loved ones can read it online without signing in. It never ships a printed copy, isn't listed in the [story gallery](/books) or searchable on Onceling, and you can revoke it at any time. Read more in the [buying your book](/guide/buy-a-book) guide at [/guide/buy-a-book](/guide/buy-a-book).

## Where do I manage my saved characters?

Your [character library](/characters) at [/characters](/characters) is where you search, reuse, or delete saved characters and their looks — separate from the [Cast & photos](/guide/characters) step used when starting a new book. See the characters guide at [/guide/characters](/guide/characters) for how the two connect.

## Where can I look up other Onceling terms?

The full glossary at [/guide/glossary](/guide/glossary) defines every term used across Onceling's guides and [FAQ](/faq), including [generation](/guide/glossary#generation), [preview](/guide/glossary#preview), [dedication](/guide/glossary#dedication), [hardcover](/guide/glossary#hardcover), [digital PDF](/guide/glossary#digital-pdf), [colouring book](/guide/glossary#colouring-book), and [story template](/guide/glossary#story-template).