Guide your next scene with the images that define it
Upload a character, product or style image, describe the action and camera view, and explore a reference to video clip built around that image for a storyboard, product edit or creative project.
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Keep a character, product or visual style at the centre of your idea. Reference to video uses your images to guide a new scene, so you can explore different actions and settings around a recognisable subject.
Try Reference to Video
Reference to video works in four steps: choose the visual references, describe the new scene, generate the clip and select a take for your story.
Upload a clear character, product or style image using the slots available for the selected model; reference to video input limits differ by model. Choose references that agree on the appearance you want the scene to develop, since a front-facing portrait and a stylized drawing of the same person can pull the result in two directions.
Give the character or object a place, one action and a camera view. In reference to video, the image explains the starting appearance and the prompt explains how the new scene should unfold, so describe the setting and movement rather than repeating what the reference already shows.
When your references and scene direction are ready, generate the clip. The job status shows when the reference to video preview is ready to review, and the generated scene can place your subject somewhere the reference photo never showed.
Watch the completed preview and compare faces, objects and visual details with the references, since the reference guides the appearance of each new scene. Download the take that suits the story, or revise the scene direction and try another attempt with the same references.
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Give each image a clear role in reference to video: the subject, the object or the visual direction you want to develop.
Use a readable character image to establish the appearance, then describe the setting and action. Reference to video AI lets you explore a scene around that subject rather than describing every visible detail from scratch, and a front-facing reference with visible clothing gives the model clearer information about who should appear.
A style image can give the new shot a palette, texture or atmosphere to aim for. Describe the parts of the look that matter, such as brushwork or lighting, and keep the subject described in words so reference to video can tell which image sets the style and which sets the content. Choose a take that fits the project’s visual direction.
Choose a clear product reference and describe the camera view or action that introduces it. Review labels, shape and identifying details before selecting a scene for the wider product edit, because small printed text and logos are the details that need the closest review in a generated clip.
Reuse suitable references and recurring prompt details when developing another shot. Reference to video chaining lets you explore related scenes shot by shot; review face, outfit and style continuity across takes and assemble the chosen clips into one story in your editor. Saving the reference images you liked keeps the next shot quick to set up.
Use reference to video to develop a character scene, product shot or illustrated story from a visual starting point.
Writers and animators can use a clear character reference and describe one story action in a new setting. Reference to video places that character in the scene, and reviewing the face and outfit before choosing a take keeps the sequence consistent for the next shot.
Product marketers can introduce an item with a reference and a camera or atmosphere idea. Check the identifying details, such as labels and proportions, before using the reference to video clip in a product presentation or launch edit.
Art directors can use a visual reference to develop a palette and texture for a scene. Comparing several reference to video takes side by side gives a creative-direction discussion something concrete to react to before a larger production begins.
Brand and community teams can give a mascot reference a place and a simple gesture. Use the chosen scene in a message or story, checking the colors, proportions and distinctive marks through the whole motion, since a mascot that changes shape can confuse your audience.
Teachers and explainer-video makers can start reference to video from an object reference and develop a scene around one visible action. Review whether the movement supports the explanation before adding the final labels or narration in your editor.
Musicians and visual artists can develop atmosphere shots around a visual reference for an existing release. Place lyric text and exact timing in the final edit, pairing the shots with a recording you have permission to use.
My illustrated explorer had a distinctive coat and satchel that mattered to the story. I used reference to video to explore a moving scene around the character references. Watching the result helped me judge the staging, and I carried the clearest direction into the next illustration in the series.
Find answers about using reference images in reference to video, continuing a scene and guiding a character’s next moment, including how references and end frames serve different parts of a video idea.
Reference to video is a generation mode that uses uploaded images and a prompt to guide a new clip’s subject, objects or style. Reference inputs, aspect ratios and other settings depend on the selected model. Veo 3.1 Lite is the default model here and makes 4, 6 or 8-second clips.
Reference to video chaining means manually reusing reference images and prompt details in another generation. Compare identity and style across every take, then arrange the chosen clips into a multi-shot story in your editor.
In reference to video, references guide appearance; start and end frames guide the opening and ending of a clip. The model creates the motion in between.
Use the same clear character references for every reference to video generation: a front-facing view with visible hair and clothing, plus a side or full-body view when the model offers more slots. Repeat the outfit and identifying details in each prompt, keep settings consistent and compare every clip with your references before keeping a take.
Several reference to video models on this page accept multiple reference images in one generation. Veo 3.1 Lite, the default, takes up to three; Seedance 2.0 takes up to nine and Wan 3.0 up to ten, and both also accept reference video clips. The upload panel shows how many slots the selected model offers.
Use clear views of the subject or the style you want. Avoid conflicting references. Check the selected model’s upload slots, accepted formats and limits before adding images. Framing options follow the chosen model and mode, and auto-framing modes take their proportions from the uploaded image.
Reference to video clips can support commercial projects when you have permission to use every character, product and artwork reference you upload. Review each take for likenesses, trademarks and product details before you publish it.
Your reference images are not published, and clips are not published automatically. With a subscription or a one-time pack, Public Visibility starts off and your clips stay private; free accounts keep it on, so a successful clip can be shown publicly after review. References are processed by the selected model provider, so review the Privacy Policy before uploading sensitive images.
Yes — you can start reference to video free with ImgVid credits. Free credits are yours once you sign up, and daily check-ins add more, with the largest reward coming on day 7 of an unbroken streak. Use them to keep a character or product consistent across clips and to make other images and videos. Veo 3.1 Lite, the default reference to video model here, runs on free credits.
A character, product or setting can give your scene its starting point. Upload your reference, describe the action and let reference to video develop a shot that fits the story you want to tell. Compare the take with your reference before you download it.
