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This guide shows you how to generate an AI video using reference images along with a text prompt. By providing up to four reference images, you can influence the subjects, style, and composition of the generated video. This is particularly useful for combining elements from multiple images into a single video scene.

What You Will Build

Multi-Image Reference

Use up to four images to guide the video output

Subject Composition

Combine subjects from different images into one scene

Visual Consistency

Maintain character or scene appearance across generations

Creative Direction

Steer the video style and content with visual references

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:
  • A Pictory API key
  • Node.js or Python installed on your machine
  • The required packages installed
  • One to four publicly accessible image URLs to use as references (up to 3 on Veo, one on Omni Flash)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Up Your Request

Prepare your API credentials, the reference image URLs, and a prompt that describes the desired video. The prompt should explain how the subjects or elements from the reference images should appear in the video.
The referenceImageUrls array accepts up to 4 image URLs on pixverse6 and pixverse5.6, up to 3 on veo3.1 and veo3.1_fast, and 1 on omni-flash. All URLs must point to publicly accessible images. This parameter cannot be used together with firstFrameImageUrl or extendVideoUrl. On veo3.1 and veo3.1_fast, a request with reference images must use an 8s duration.

Step 2: Submit the Video Generation Request

Send the request to the AI Studio video generation endpoint.

Step 3: Poll for the Result

Check the job status at regular intervals until the video is ready.

Understanding the Parameters

Use Cases for Reference Images

Tips for Reference Image Videos

  • Describe the relationship between images. In your prompt, explain how the elements from each reference should interact. For example, “The person from the first image walks into the landscape from the second image.”
  • Use high-quality references. Clear, well-lit images produce better results. Avoid blurry or heavily compressed images.
  • Keep subjects distinct. When combining multiple images, ensure each reference contributes a clearly identifiable element such as a character, background, or object.
  • Name each reference. On pixverse6 and pixverse5.6, refer to the images as @subject1, @subject2, and so on, in array order, so the model binds each mention to the right image. Any reference you do not mention is appended to the prompt automatically.
  • Use 8s on Veo. veo3.1 and veo3.1_fast only generate 8-second videos from reference images; other durations are rejected before any credits are reserved.

Next Steps