What You’ll Learn
AI Video Generation
Generate unique video clips as scene backgrounds
Video Models
Choose from Pixverse 5.5, Veo 3.1 Fast, and Veo 3.1
Duration Control
Configure clip duration from 4 to 10 seconds per model
AI Credit Costs
Understand per-second credit costs for each model
Before You Begin
Make sure you have:- A Pictory API key (get one here)
- Node.js or Python installed on your machine
- Sufficient AI credits in your account (video generation costs more than image generation)
- Basic understanding of AI video generation concepts
How It Works
When you setbackground.type to "video" and provide an aiVisual configuration, Pictory generates a unique AI video clip for the scene background:
- Prompt Processing — Your text prompt (or auto-generated prompt from story text) describes the desired motion video
- Video Generation — The chosen video model creates a unique clip of the specified duration
- Scene Integration — The generated video clip is used as the scene background
AI video generation takes significantly longer than image generation and costs more AI credits. The credit cost is calculated per second of video generated. Plan for additional processing time and budget accordingly.
Configuration Reference
Background Object
When using AI-generated video clips, set thebackground object on a scene as follows:
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
type | string | Yes | Must be "video" for AI-generated video clips |
aiVisual | object | Yes | AI video generation configuration (see below) |
aiVisual Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
prompt | string | No | Text description of the video to generate (max 250 characters). If omitted, a prompt is auto-generated from the scene’s story text. |
model | string | Yes | The AI video model to use. See Available Video Models. |
videoDuration | string | No | Duration of the generated clip. Valid values depend on the model. See Duration Options. If omitted, the model’s default (shortest) duration is used. |
Available Video Models
Each model has different quality, supported durations, aspect ratios, and per-second AI credit costs.| Model ID | Display Name | AI Credits (per second) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
pixverse5.5 | Pixverse 5.5 | 1.6 | Reliable for basic motion |
veo3.1_fast | Veo 3.1 Fast | 10 | Efficient cinematic quality |
veo3.1 | Veo 3.1 | 20 | Superior cinematic quality |
Duration Options
Each model supports specific clip durations. IfvideoDuration is omitted or invalid for the selected model, the first (shortest) duration is used as the default.
| Model | Available Durations | Default |
|---|---|---|
pixverse5.5 | "5s", "8s", "10s" | "5s" |
veo3.1_fast | "4s", "6s", "8s" | "4s" |
veo3.1 | "4s", "6s", "8s" | "4s" |
Supported Aspect Ratios
The video aspect ratio is determined by theaspectRatio property at the top level of the request. Different models support different aspect ratios:
| Model | Supported Aspect Ratios |
|---|---|
pixverse5.5 | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 |
veo3.1_fast | 16:9, 9:16 |
veo3.1 | 16:9, 9:16 |
If the request’s
aspectRatio is not supported by the selected video model, the system automatically falls back to the model’s first supported aspect ratio.AI Credit Cost Calculator
AI credits for video generation are calculated as: credits per second x duration in seconds.| Model | 4s | 5s | 6s | 8s | 10s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pixverse5.5 | — | 8 | — | 12.8 | 16 |
veo3.1_fast | 40 | — | 60 | 80 | — |
veo3.1 | 80 | — | 120 | 160 | — |
Complete Example
Auto-Generated Prompts
You can omit theprompt field to let the AI automatically generate a prompt based on your scene’s story text:
- Creating multi-scene videos with
createSceneOnEndOfSentence: true - You want the AI to visually interpret your story as motion video
- Quick content creation without manual prompt writing
Common Use Cases
Product Demo with Motion Background
Tech Content with Budget-Friendly Clips
Cinematic Storytelling
Balanced Quality and Cost
Mixing Image and Video Backgrounds
You can use AI-generated images for some scenes and AI-generated video clips for others in the same video:Best Practices
Write Effective Video Prompts
Write Effective Video Prompts
Video prompts should describe motion and action, not just a static scene:
- Include movement: “camera slowly panning across”, “particles flowing”, “waves crashing”
- Describe transitions: “sunrise gradually illuminating”, “zoom into details”
- Be specific about motion: “cars driving through city streets” vs. just “city street”
- Keep under 250 characters: Focused prompts produce better results
Choose the Right Model and Duration
Choose the Right Model and Duration
| Scenario | Recommended Model | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing & drafts | pixverse5.5 | "5s" | 8 credits |
| General content | pixverse5.5 | "8s" | 12.8 credits |
| Professional quality | veo3.1_fast | "6s" | 60 credits |
| Premium cinematic | veo3.1 | "8s" | 160 credits |
pixverse5.5 for iteration, then switch to veo3.1_fast or veo3.1 for production.Manage AI Credit Budget
Manage AI Credit Budget
Video generation can consume credits quickly. Plan your budget:
- Use shorter durations when possible — 4s is often enough for a single scene
- Use
pixverse5.5for scenes where basic motion is sufficient - Reserve
veo3.1for hero scenes that need premium quality - Mix AI video clips with AI images or stock visuals across scenes to manage costs
Plan for Processing Time
Plan for Processing Time
AI video generation takes significantly longer than image generation:
pixverse5.5: Fastest video generationveo3.1_fast: Moderate processing timeveo3.1: Longest processing time but highest quality- Multiple scenes with AI video clips will multiply total processing time
- Consider using AI video for key scenes only
Check Aspect Ratio Compatibility
Check Aspect Ratio Compatibility
Not all models support all aspect ratios:
pixverse5.5supports16:9,9:16,1:1veo3.1_fastandveo3.1only support16:9and9:16- If your video uses
1:1aspect ratio, usepixverse5.5 - The system auto-corrects unsupported aspect ratios to the model’s default
Troubleshooting
Generated video doesn't show expected motion
Generated video doesn't show expected motion
- Add motion-specific language to your prompt: “slowly panning”, “zooming in”, “flowing”
- Avoid static descriptions — describe what’s happening, not just what’s there
- Try a higher-quality model for more nuanced motion rendering
Error: Invalid videoDuration for model
Error: Invalid videoDuration for model
Each model has specific valid durations:
pixverse5.5:"5s","8s","10s"veo3.1_fast:"4s","6s","8s"veo3.1:"4s","6s","8s"
Error: Invalid background configuration
Error: Invalid background configuration
Error: Insufficient AI credits
Error: Insufficient AI credits
Video generation costs AI credits per second. Check your balance:
- A
veo3.1clip at"8s"costs 160 credits per scene - Switch to
pixverse5.5at"5s"(8 credits) for budget-friendly generation - Reduce
videoDurationto lower the cost
Unsupported aspect ratio warning
Unsupported aspect ratio warning
If you specify an aspect ratio not supported by the video model, the system automatically falls back to the model’s default:
veo3.1/veo3.1_fastonly support16:9and9:16- Use
pixverse5.5for16:9,9:16, and1:1aspect ratios
Next Steps
AI-Generated Background Images
Use AI-generated images as scene backgrounds
AI Voice-Over
Add professional narration to your videos
Brand Settings
Apply consistent branding automatically
Background Music
Add music to complement your visuals
