SceneCraftOpen studio ↗Turn one photo
into a short video.
Start with a photo you own or have permission to use, choose a motion direction and make a cinematic clip for TikTok, Reels or your private library.
Open the video studioMiniMax H3 · 768P · 5 seconds · silent · automatic frame · AI watermark · 25 credits per clip. Sign in to generate; check live studio status and the quote before purchasing.
MiniMax H3 inputs and credit costs
Choose text-to-video, first and/or last frame, or all-in-one reference. Combine up to 9 images, 3 videos and 3 audio files, with 12 files total. Audio/video references are 2–15 seconds each, with a combined 15-second limit per type. Audio needs an image or video. Use <Picture 1>, <Video 1> and <Audio 1> in your prompt to direct editing, motion, effects, speech or language.
Output duration: 4–15 seconds. Optional native sound and prompt enhancement are included. An AI watermark is applied. 480P and 768P are native output; higher settings use post-generation upscaling.
| Resolution | Credits / second | 5-second example |
|---|---|---|
| 480P | 3 | 15 |
| 768P | 5 | 25 |
| 1080P · upscaled | 10 | 50 |
| 2K · upscaled | 10 | 50 |
| 4K · upscaled | 12 | 60 |
SceneCraft processing: the first image is included, each additional image adds 2 credits; video adds 3 credits per started second and audio adds 1 credit per started second, each type’s total rounded up. These are SceneCraft service charges; supplier reference input is currently free. The studio displays the combined quote. If upscaling returns 768P, the output-resolution difference is returned automatically.
A focused four-step workflow
- Choose one strong frame. A clear subject, visible face or object and enough room around it gives motion a useful starting point.
- Pick one motion idea. Try a slow push-in, a side track, a gentle turn or a small environmental change. One dominant movement keeps a short clip easy to watch.
- Check the output frame. Choose an output aspect ratio or automatic framing. Automatic framing can reframe a portrait source; exact source ratio preservation is not guaranteed.
- Review and iterate. Check the quote before submitting, compare the result with the original frame and change one instruction at a time.
Motion templates to test
Slow push-in. Keep the subject steady while the camera moves closer. This works well for portraits, products and still life.
Side tracking. Let the camera travel beside a person, car or landscape so the background creates depth.
Atmospheric drift. Keep the camera restrained and animate clouds, light, fabric or water for a quiet loop.
Write a useful motion brief
Portrait beside a rain-streaked window. The camera pushes in slowly while drops slide down the glass. Soft side light, muted cinematic color, one continuous shot.
Name the subject, the one visible change, the camera behavior and the mood. Avoid asking a five-second clip to cover several locations or cuts.
Plan a small test set
Start with three variations of the same photo: one camera move, one environmental motion and one restrained loop. Keep the same source photo so you can compare the direction you changed; automatic framing may still vary.
At these example settings, each H3 clip uses 25 credits; three variations use 75 credits. These counts use 768P, five seconds and silent output, with one image, automatic framing and an AI watermark. Other durations, output resolutions and reference inputs change the quote. Review the quote and live status before submitting. Compare one-time credit packs.
Before you animate a photo
Can I use any image?
Use an image you own or have permission to use. Do not upload private or sensitive material unless you understand how the service processes and stores it. See the privacy notice.
Is photo animation available now?
MiniMax H3 is offered in the main studio at 25 credits for a 768P, five-second silent clip with an automatic frame and AI watermark. Sign in to generate and check live studio availability before purchasing credits.
Will the result preserve my subject exactly?
Motion models can change faces, objects, details and lighting. Treat the source photo as a direction for the clip, then review every result before sharing it.
What format should I make for TikTok or Reels?
Choose 9:16 in the H3 aspect controls for a portrait delivery frame. Automatic framing may reframe the source and does not guarantee preservation of its exact aspect ratio. Keep the subject away from the edges, then review the clip before adding platform captions. For videos from text, see the text-to-video guide.
Give one frame a little motion.
Open the studio to review the current video workflow, model status and credit quote.
Review the video studio