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Reference Media Uploads

How to upload reference media in Qolaba's Video Generation workspace — initial images, last frame images, and reference files

Reference media gives the model a visual or creative anchor for generation. Instead of generating entirely from a text prompt, you can provide a starting frame, an ending frame, or a broader creative reference — giving the model concrete visual direction to work from.

Types of Reference Media

Input
What It Does
Supported By

Initial Image

Sets the first frame of the video

All models

Last Frame Image

Sets the final frame — model generates motion between both frames

Veo 3.1, Veo 3.1 Fast, Seedance, Seedance 2.5, Hailuo, Kling 3, Kling V3, Luma

Reference Files

Provides image, video, or audio as a broader creative reference

Seedance, Seedance 2.5 (image, video, audio); Happy Horse (image only)

Initial Image

The initial image sets the first frame of your generated video. The model animates from this image forward based on your prompt and keyword inputs.

This is the most commonly used reference input and is supported by all models. Use it when:

  • You want to animate an existing photo, illustration, or render

  • You have a specific visual starting point that must appear in the video

  • You are generating product or character videos that need to start from a known visual

How to upload:

  1. Click the Initial Image upload area in the Input Controls panel

  2. Select your image file from your system

  3. The image thumbnail appears as confirmation — your prompt and keywords now guide how it animates

Tips for effective initial images:

  • Use clean, well-lit images with a clear subject

  • Avoid heavy text overlays or complex backgrounds if the subject motion is the focus

  • Higher resolution source images generally produce sharper video output

  • Ensure the aspect ratio of your image matches your selected output dimension for best framing

Last Frame Image

The last frame image sets the final frame of your video. When both an initial and last frame are provided, the model generates the motion and transition between the two images.

This is useful for:

  • Creating smooth transitions between two product shots

  • Generating a visual journey from one state to another

  • Producing before/after video content

  • Building narrative sequences with defined start and end points

How to upload:

  1. Upload your Initial Image first

  2. Click the Last Frame Image upload area that appears

  3. Select your ending frame image

Last frame support is model dependent. If the model you have selected does not support last frame input, this upload option will not appear. See Model Selection & Configuration → for a full breakdown.

Tips for effective frame pairs:

  • Both images should share a consistent visual style, lighting, and color tone for smoother transitions

  • The more visually similar the two frames, the more controlled and predictable the transition

  • Large visual differences between frames produce more creative but less predictable motion

Reference Files

Reference files give the model broader creative guidance beyond defining specific frames. Depending on the model, you can upload images, videos, or audio as reference material.

This feature is currently supported by:

  • Seedance and Seedance 2.5 — supports image, video, and audio reference files

  • Happy Horse — supports image reference files only

Image Reference

Provides a visual style, composition, or aesthetic reference for the generation without fixing a specific frame. The model draws stylistic inspiration from the reference image.

Video Reference

Provides a motion reference — the model uses the uploaded video's movement, pacing, and flow as guidance for how the generated video should move.

Audio Reference

Provides an audio reference that influences the mood, pacing, and rhythm of the generated video. Useful for aligning visual motion with a specific sound or music track.

How to upload reference files (Seedance models):

  1. Select Seedance or Seedance 2.5 as your model

  2. Click the Reference Files upload area

  3. Select your file — image, video, or audio

  4. Add your prompt and proceed with generation

Reference file support is exclusive to Seedance 2.0 and Seedance 2.0 Fast. Selecting a different model will not show this upload option.

Supported Formats & Limits

File Type
Supported Formats
Size Limit

Images

JPG, PNG, WEBP

Max 20 MB

Video

MP4, MOV

Max 100 MB

Audio

MP3, WAV

Max 50 MB

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