# Reference Mode {% hint style="info" %} **Attaching exactly 2 images and seeing Transition Mode?** By default, 2 uploaded images trigger **Transition Mode** (start frame → end frame morph). To use them as **character reference photos** instead, select a dedicated reference model from the model picker: **Kling O3 Reference**, **Seedance 2 Reference**, or **Wan 2.7 Reference**. These models treat multiple images as reference material, not as start/end frames. See [Transition Mode](/features/video-generation/transition-mode.md) if you actually want a morph. {% endhint %} ### How It Works 1. **Enable Generate Media** - Toggle the Generate Media button in the composer 2. **Attach reference images** - Upload 1-9 images of the same character/subject (count depends on model) 3. **Reference Mode activates** - System detects multiple images and switches to reference model 4. **Select reference model** - Veo 3.1 Reference, Kling O3, Wan 2.7 Reference, or Seedance 2 Reference (auto-selected) 5. **Describe the video** - Write a prompt describing the scene and action 6. **Configure settings** - Set duration (varies by model: 8s for Veo, 3-15s for Kling O3, 2-10s for Wan, 4-15s for Seedance) 7. **Generate** - Click send to create a video with consistent character ### Automatic Activation Reference Mode activates when: * **1-9 images attached** - Reference images detected (minimum count varies by model) * **No videos attached** - Reference mode is for generation, not editing * **Model auto-switches** - Compatible reference models appear * **Element tags** - Using @Element tags also triggers reference mode ### Supported Models
ModelReference ImagesDurationAudioBest For
Veo 3.1 Reference2-4 images8s (fixed)✅Character consistency with audio
Kling O32-7 images3-15s✅Maximum reference images, audio support, best quality
Wan 2.7 Reference1-9 images2-10s❌Most reference images, high resolution
Seedance 2 ReferenceUp to 9 images4-15s✅Reference with native audio
### Reference Image Guidelines #### Image Requirements **What makes good reference images:** 1. **Same subject** - All images should show the same person/character 2. **Clear face/features** - Good visibility of key characteristics 3. **Varied angles** - Different views help the model understand the subject 4. **Consistent lighting** - Similar lighting conditions work best 5. **High quality** - Clear, well-lit images produce better results #### Image Count Strategy **1-3 images:** * Minimum for reference mode (1 image minimum with Wan 2.7 Reference) * Works well for simple characters * Faster processing **4-7 images:** * Maximum consistency with Kling O3 * Better for complex characters * More reference points for the model **Up to 9 images (Wan 2.7 Reference / Seedance 2 Reference):** * Highest number of reference inputs * Best for complex subjects requiring many angles * Wan 2.7 Reference supports 1-9 images; Seedance 2 Reference supports up to 9 #### What to Include ✅ **Good Reference Images:** * Front-facing portrait * Side profile * 3/4 angle * Different expressions * Various lighting conditions * Different outfits (same person) ❌ **Poor Reference Images:** * Different people * Unclear/blurry faces * Extreme angles * Very different styles * Inconsistent subject ### Writing Reference Mode Prompts #### What to Describe Focus on **the scene and action**, not the character (reference images handle that): 1. **Setting** - Where the scene takes place 2. **Action** - What the character is doing 3. **Camera movement** - How it's shot 4. **Style** - Visual aesthetic and mood 5. **Dialogue** (Veo only) - What the character says #### Good Reference Mode Prompts ✅ **With Action:** ``` The character walks confidently through a modern office, greeting colleagues with a warm smile, a professional setting, and natural lighting ``` ✅ **With Dialogue (Veo):** ``` The character speaks directly to the camera: "Welcome to our presentation. Today we'll explore innovative solutions." Professional setting, confident delivery ``` ✅ **With Camera Movement:** ``` Slow push-in on the character as they explain a concept, cinematic style, soft lighting, engaging and professional atmosphere ``` #### Bad Reference Mode Prompts ❌ **Describes Character:** ``` A person with brown hair and blue eyes ``` *(Reference images already provide this)* ❌ **Too Vague:** ``` The character does something ``` *(Not specific enough)* ❌ **Missing Context:** ``` Person talking ``` *(Needs setting, style, camera work)* ### Use Cases #### Talking Head Videos **Example:** * 3-4 reference images of the speaker * Prompt: "The speaker addresses the camera with confidence, explaining key concepts in a professional setting, and with natural lighting." * Model: Veo 3.1 Reference (for audio) * Result: Consistent talking head video with audio #### Character Consistency **Example:** * 4-5 reference images of a character * Prompt: "The character walks through a futuristic city, looking around with curiosity, cinematic style, neon lighting." * Model: Kling O3 (for quality) * Result: Character maintains appearance across shots #### Product Demonstrations **Example:** * 2-3 reference images of a presenter * Prompt: "The presenter demonstrates a product, showing features with enthusiasm, bright studio lighting, professional setting." * Model: Veo 3.1 Reference (for audio) * Result: Consistent presenter across multiple shots #### Narrative Scenes **Example:** * 5-7 reference images of the main character * Prompt: "The character enters a mysterious room, the camera follows their gaze, cinematic style, moody lighting, suspenseful atmosphere." * Model: Kling O3 (for quality and longer duration) * Result: Consistent character in narrative scene ### Model-Specific Behavior #### Veo 3.1 Reference **Characteristics:** * Reference images: 2-4 * Duration: 8 seconds (fixed) * Aspect ratio: 16:9 or 9:16 only (auto-determined from reference images) * Audio: Supported (dialogue generation) * Resolution: 720p-1080p **Best for:** * Talking head videos * When you need audio/dialogue * Character consistency with speech * Professional presentations **Limitations:** * Fixed 8-second duration * Maximum 4 reference images * Aspect ratio limited to 16:9 or 9:16 (auto-determined from images) #### Kling O3 **Characteristics:** * Reference images: 1-7 * Duration: 3-15 seconds (variable, Pro/Standard toggle) * Aspect ratio: 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1 * Audio: Supported (native audio generation) * Resolution: 720p **Best for:** * Maximum character consistency with audio * Flexible duration (3-15 seconds) * More reference images (up to 7) * High-quality results with sound **Limitations:** * Fixed aspect ratios (no auto) #### Wan 2.7 Reference **Characteristics:** * Reference images: 1-9 * Duration: 2-10 seconds (variable) * Aspect ratio: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, or 3:4 * Audio: Not supported * Resolution: 720p-1080p **Best for:** * Maximum number of reference images (up to 9) * High resolution output * When you need the most reference angles * Flexible aspect ratios **Limitations:** * No audio generation * Shorter maximum duration than other models #### Seedance 2 Reference **Characteristics:** * Reference images: Up to 9 * Audio reference files: Up to 3 (attach audio to influence generated sound) * Duration: 4-15 seconds (variable) * Aspect ratio: Auto-detected from input images * Audio: Supported (native audio generation) * Resolution: 480p-1080p **Best for:** * Reference videos that need a native soundtrack * Longer reference outputs (up to 15s) * When you want audio generated automatically * When providing reference audio to guide the sound design **Limitations:** * Audio may need refinement in post ### Tips for Best Results 1. **Use varied reference images** - Different angles and expressions help 2. **Keep images consistent** - Same person, similar quality 3. **Describe the scene, not the character** - Reference images handle appearance 4. **Use appropriate model** - Veo for audio, Kling for more references 5. **Match aspect ratios** - Reference images should have similar ratios 6. **Be specific about action** - Describe what the character does 7. **Include camera movement** - Helps create dynamic videos 8. **Test with different image counts** - Find what works best for your character ### Common Workflows #### Quick Talking Head 1. Prepare 2-3 reference images 2. Attach images 3. Select Veo 3.1 Reference (auto-selected) 4. Prompt: "Character speaks to camera: '\[dialogue]', professional setting" 5. Enable audio 6. Generate (8 seconds) #### High-Quality Character Video 1. Prepare 5-7 reference images 2. Attach images 3. Select Kling O3 (auto-selected) 4. Detailed prompt with scene, action, and style 5. Generate (3-15 seconds) #### Consistent Character Series 1. Prepare 4-5 reference images 2. Create multiple videos with different prompts 3. Character appearance stays consistent 4. Use for series or multiple shots #### Reference with Audio (Seedance 2) 1. Prepare up to 9 reference images 2. Attach images 3. Select Seedance 2 Reference 4. Describe the scene, action, and desired audio 5. Audio generates automatically 6. Generate (4-15 seconds) ### Troubleshooting #### "Reference Mode not activating." **Solutions:** * Ensure you have 1-9 images attached * Check that images are properly uploaded * Remove any attached videos (reference mode is for generation) * Verify you're in Generate Media mode #### "Character doesn't look consistent." **Solutions:** * Use more reference images (4-7 for best results) * Ensure all images show the same person * Use varied angles and expressions * Try Kling O3 for better consistency * Check image quality (clear, well-lit) #### "Model doesn't support reference mode." **Solutions:** * Switch to Veo 3.1 Reference, Kling O3, Wan 2.7 Reference, or Seedance 2 Reference * Check Supported Video Models * Most models don't support reference mode * Reference mode requires specific models #### "Duration is wrong." **Solutions:** * Veo 3.1 Reference: Fixed at 8 seconds (cannot change) * Kling O3: 3-15 seconds (variable, set in settings) * Wan 2.7 Reference: 2-10 seconds (variable, set in settings) * Seedance 2 Reference: 4-15 seconds (variable, set in settings) * Reference mode has limited duration control * Plan your content for the available duration *** **Next:** Learn about[ Image Generation ](/features/image-generation.md)for creating still images. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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