Code vs. diffusion: A cost guide for programmatic image generation

The article argues that many images generated by diffusion models are actually structural diagrams better created via code, costing $0.003 per render versus $0.02–$0.20. It provides a decision framework: structure (coordinates, labels) should use code; texture (photorealism) should use diffusion. The key advantage of code is that it produces repeatable, editable artifacts that fail loudly when broken.