> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ideogram.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ideogram.ai/create/video.md).
# Create Videos
Generate Ideogram videos from text, start and end frames, or reference media. Compare video modes, understand audio and fix input or duration errors.
The Video app makes short clips from a text prompt, from still frames, or from images, video and audio you upload. To turn an image into a video, use [Frames](#frames).
## Who can use it
Video is a premium app. You can use it if you have a paid plan or bought credits. On a free plan with no bought credits, you see **Upgrade to unlock premium apps & models**. See [Available Plans](/plans-and-billing/available-plans.md) and [Buying Extra Credits](/plans-and-billing/buying-extra-credits.md).
## Open the Video app
* Select **Video** in the sidebar, or pick **Video** in the type picker on Home. Both open **Generate Video**. From Home, Ideogram copies your prompt in and starts the run; if you attached images, it uses References mode.
* On Home, the quick action **Generate video** opens the app in Text mode. **Edit video** opens Seedance 2.5 in References mode.
### Make a video
1. Select **Video** in the sidebar. **Generate Video** opens.
2. Optional: open the **Model** picker and choose a model. **Auto** uses the app's default video workflow. See [Models](#models).
3. Choose an input mode: **Text**, **Frames** or **References**. Every model starts in Text mode. See [Input modes](#input-modes).
4. In **Frames** mode, add a **Start frame**. In **References** mode, add media under **Add media**. See [Frames](#frames) and [References](#references).
5. Describe the video in the **Prompt** box, up to 2,000 characters. In References mode, describe what you want to change. See [Prompt](#prompt).
6. Optional: change **Duration**, **Aspect ratio**, **Resolution** or **Generate audio**. See [Settings](#settings).
7. Click **Generate**.
8. Find the finished video in the **Assets** feed. See [Results and download](#results-and-download).
## Models
Open the **Model** picker. **Auto** sits at the top, then **Recent**, then **All models**. You can search with "Search all models..." or filter by provider.
The Video app offers:
* **Auto**: the app's default video workflow, currently based on Seedance 2.5
* **Seedance 2.5**
* **Seedance 2.0**
* **Kling v3 Standard**
* **MiniMax H3**
The model list can change over time.
### What changes when I switch video models?
The app carries compatible input modes, media and settings to the model you choose. A duration, aspect ratio or resolution that the new model doesn't support falls back to one of its available choices. Review the mode and controls after switching, especially when you added references or an end frame. This carryover doesn't promise that every model offers the same inputs or output settings.
## Input modes
Choose how you start with the **Text**, **Frames** and **References** control. Every model starts in Text mode.
| Mode | What it does | Models |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Text** | Makes a video from your prompt alone. | All |
| **Frames** | Animates from a **Start frame**, with an optional **End frame**. | All |
| **References** | Uses images, video clips and audio you add as the basis for the video, then applies the changes you describe. | Generate Video, Seedance 2.5, Seedance 2.0, MiniMax H3 |
### Frames
Frames is image to video: your image becomes the first frame, and the model animates from there.
#### Turn an image into a video
1. Select **Frames**.
2. Click **Start frame** and choose an image.
3. Optional: add an **End frame** if you want the clip to finish on a set image.
You can also paste an image in. One button swaps the two frames. The frame sets the shape of the video, so **Aspect ratio** locks to "Auto".
### Animate a product photo
To bring a product shot to life, use **Frames**:
1. Select **Frames**.
2. Add your product photo as the **Start frame**. The video opens on that exact image.
3. Write how it should move, for example `the sneaker slowly rotates 360°, camera locked, white background`.
4. Turn off **Generate audio** if you want a silent clip.
5. Click **Generate**.
Use **References** instead when you want the product placed in a new scene rather than animated as it is.
### References
#### Add reference media
1. Select **References**.
2. Select the plus under **Add media**.
Select References, then the plus under Add media.
3. Upload files, choose from your library, or select **Record audio** to record with your microphone.
If the browser blocks the microphone, allow access in your browser settings.
Seedance 2.0 and 2.5 need at least one image or video. MiniMax H3 needs one only when you add audio.
You can refer to your references in the prompt. The app rewrites those mentions into the notation each model expects.
| Limit | Seedance 2.0 | Seedance 2.5 | MiniMax H3 |
| ------------------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ---------- |
| Images | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Video clips | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| Audio clips | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| Total references | 12 | 50 | 12 |
| Total video length | 15 s | 30 s | 15 s |
| Total audio length | 15 s | 30 s | 15 s |
| Audio and video together | No limit | No limit | 15 s |
## File limits
| File | Formats | Max size |
| --------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------ |
| Frames and reference images | JPEG, PNG, WebP | 50 MB |
| Reference video | MP4 | 50 MB, at least 2 s long |
| Reference audio | MP3, WAV | 15 MB, at least 2 s long |
## Prompt
Describe the video in the **Prompt** box. Prompts can be up to 2,000 characters. In References mode, describe what you want to change.
Video prompts work best when they describe motion and the camera, not just the scene:
* `The bottle slowly rotates 360°, camera locked, soft studio light`
* `Slow push-in on the coffee cup as steam rises, shallow depth of field`
Say what stays still as well as what moves. "Camera locked" or "static shot" requests a stationary camera.
These are motion instructions for the model to interpret, rather than guarantees of a particular camera path. Describe one clear action and inspect the clip before using it.
## Settings
Settings differ by model. Each model defaults to 10 seconds and 16:9. With **Generate Video**, the panel shows the settings that apply to your run.
Drag Duration, or turn on Auto. Aspect ratio, resolution and audio sit below.
| Setting | Seedance 2.0 | Seedance 2.5 | Kling v3 Standard | MiniMax H3 |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Duration** | **Auto** or 4–15 s | **Auto** or 4–30 s | 3–15 s | 5–15 s |
| **Aspect ratio** | Auto, 21:9, 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4 | Auto, 21:9, 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4 | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 | 21:9, 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4 |
| **Resolution** | 480p, 720p (default 720p) | 480p, 720p, 1080p (default 720p) | Not shown | 480p, 768p, 2K, 4K (default 2K) |
| **Generate audio** | On by default | On by default | On by default | Not shown |
| **Advanced settings** | None | None | **Shot planning** (Custom or Intelligent), **Prompt adherence** (0–1, default 0.5), **Negative prompt** (what the video should avoid, up to 2,000 characters) | **Prompt expansion** (Off, Fast, Balanced or Quality; default Balanced), References mode only |
### Generated audio or reference audio?
**Generate audio** controls sound in the generated clip where the selected model offers that switch. It doesn't record your microphone or attach an audio file. To supply sound as an input, choose **References** and upload audio or select **Record audio** under Add media.
Reference audio has its own media limits and can require an image or video alongside it. A model without a Generate audio switch can still support audio references; check its References controls.
## Why won't my video generate?
| What to check | How to resolve it |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Empty prompt | Describe the video or requested change before generating. |
| Frames mode without a Start frame | Add the opening image; an End frame alone isn't enough. |
| References mode without required visual media | Add an image or video for Seedance. When MiniMax H3 has audio references, add an image or video too. |
| Reference metadata still loading | Wait for the uploaded media's duration and other details to finish loading. |
| Too many references or too much total duration | Remove references or shorten them to the limits above. Check totals as well as each file. |
| Prompt longer than 2,000 characters | Shorten the description and keep the main motion and edit instructions. |
For example, MiniMax H3 has a 15-second combined audio-and-video reference limit. A 10-second video plus a 6-second audio clip exceeds it even though each file is individually shorter than 15 seconds. The app points to the field that needs attention; follow that message rather than repeatedly submitting the same inputs.
## Cost and generating
Cost depends on the model, duration and resolution. Once your inputs are ready and a quote is available, the **Generate** button shows the cost in credits. A `~` means it's an estimate; hover over the number to see whether the cost is estimated or exact. For the full price list, go to **Settings** → **Usage costs**. See [How credits work](/plans-and-billing/available-plans.md#how-credits-work).
To save the result straight into a collection, click **Add to Collection** next to **Generate**.
## Results and download
Finished videos appear in the **Assets** feed of the app. They are private by default. Open a video to see its length and resolution, like it, add it to a collection or delete it.
Download a video as one MP4 file:
1. Open the video.
2. Click **Download**.
If you see "Video is not available for download yet", wait for the video to finish.
To load a generated video into MiniMax H3 as a reference:
1. Open the video.
2. Select **Edit**.
You can't upscale a video, remove its background or use it as a reference image.
