Animate an image or replace a character?
Animating an image creates motion from a still reference. Video replacement starts with a clip that already has a setting and an action: the portrait defines the new character. Choose this second operation when you already like the scene.
Use clearly adult fictional characters and non-explicit scenes. A real person’s photo or a face replacement is outside the workflow described here.
Prepare a recognisable character portrait
Choose three or four identifiers: face shape, hairstyle, clothing colour and a distinctive accessory. One clear character provides a more readable reference than a sheet containing several faces or different outfits.
Example reference: “Original fictional woman aged 35, short copper hair, blue coat, checked scarf, waist-up portrait in natural light.” Inspect the face and outlines before choosing the image. Fix an existing distortion before using that reference.
Choose a short clip with a readable action
For a first attempt, choose a shot with one character, a simple action and a steady camera. Avoid a hand, object or second subject covering the face for a long time. Leave some space around a moving figure.
The Studio currently accepts compatible source clips between 3 and 5 seconds. A video created in the Studio lasts 5 seconds. Choose portrait, landscape or square when creating the scene; replacement uses the source video’s aspect ratio.
Example scene: “A fictional 35-year-old hiker walks slowly along a mountain trail, framed wide enough to see her figure, steady camera, daylight, one character only.” The aim is to make the action easy to compare before and after replacement.
Run the replacement in the Studio
Log in, then create or find both inputs in your history: an image of the character to use and a video of the scene to edit. Wait for both creations to finish.
Open “Video swap”. Select the image under “Character to use” and the clip under “Video to edit”. Check both previews and the credit cost before clicking “Generate”. The Studio builds the instruction from those two choices; this mode does not ask for a new prompt.
Sources come from your own Studio history and must still be available. Uploading an image or video from your device is not offered in this workflow. This guide therefore does not provide an import path for an external image.
Is an input missing from the lists?
Check the creation’s status in “Your creations”, then use “Refresh”. The lists do not show every old creation: they select completed, compatible sources.
| Missing input | Check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Creation still running or failed | Wait for completion or choose a different completed image. |
| Video | Incompatible source duration or unfinished creation | Choose a completed clip between 3 and 5 seconds. |
| Older creation | Output has expired | Use a source that is still available in your history. |
| Both inputs | Signed-in account and matching history | Check that the inputs belong to the account you are using. |
Compare the output with both inputs
Watch the beginning, middle and end. Compare the face and hair with the portrait; compare motion, setting and framing with the source video. Check hands, clothing outlines and moments when the character turns their head. One successful frame does not establish consistency throughout the clip.
In our test on 11 October 2026, a reference with short copper hair and a blue coat replaced a long-haired hiker wearing a green jacket in a 5-second mountain shot. The setting and walking action were retained; the outfit became blue clothing rather than an exact copy of the reference coat. This illustrates a practical limit: colour and silhouette may carry over without every accessory or garment cut matching.
If the result drifts too far from your character, start with a clearer reference or a smaller action. Keep the same inputs when comparing two outputs where possible, rather than changing both the character and the entire scene.
Plan the credits and save the file
Studio costs checked on 17 October 2026: 3 credits for an image, 4 for a video and 53 for a video swap. Creating both inputs and then running one replacement therefore uses 60 credits. If both inputs are already available, only the displayed 53-credit replacement is charged. These figures refer to Studio credits, not a euro price per clip.
Always check the displayed cost before submitting and allow for revisions. Download your chosen output before the expiry shown in your history. Keep the portrait, source video and useful settings too, so you can compare versions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload my own video?
Not in the current Studio workflow. Video swap uses compatible images and videos from your Studio history.
Will the outfit be copied exactly?
This is not guaranteed. Our test retained a colour and general appearance, but adapted the clothing. Check hair, accessories and proportions across several frames too.
Does video swap animate a still image?
It requires a reference image and a source video. To create motion from an idea, generate the video scene first, then use replacement if you want to change its character.