# Make your first image-to-video clip

> Turn a still image into a video clip in Nodespell with the Image to Video Creative Tool, from a generated result or an uploaded image.

Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image-to-video/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10

This tutorial turns a still image into a short video clip with Nodespell's **Image to Video** Creative Tool in the **Create** workspace. You start from an image you generated or uploaded, describe the motion in a prompt, check the duration and cost, select **Generate**, and review the clip, which Nodespell keeps on an Image to Video node in your graph.

> **Paid plans:** Video generation is part of Nodespell's paid plans. On a free account, selecting **Generate** opens a sheet titled **Video generation is part of paid plans**, and your prompt and settings stay as they are. See [Plans and credits](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/).

## Choose your starting image

Image to Video needs one image to animate. Pick the path that matches what you have.

**From a generated image**

Use this path after [Make your first image](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image/).

1. In **Create**, select the **Image Generator** node that holds your image, or select **Image Generator** in the rail and generate one.
2. In the **Results** section of the composer, use **Show older result** and **Show newer result** until the image you want is showing.
3. Select **Continue with this result**.
4. In the **Continue with this result** dialog, choose **Image to Video**.

The composer switches to **Image to Video** with your image already in its image field. A notice explains that the tool "will use the exact selected result through a visible Asset node": Nodespell adds an Asset node named **Selected historical result** to the graph, so later takes on the Image Generator node do not change your video's source. Select **Remove** in that notice if you change your mind.

**From your own image**

1. In **Create**, select **Image to Video** in the Create tools rail.
2. Find the image field. Most models label it **Start frame**; some label it **Source image**.
3. Select **Choose assets** in that field. A dialog opens on your Nodespell Assets.
4. Select an image you uploaded before, or upload a new file from the dialog.
5. Select **Use selection**.

Supported upload formats and sizes are listed in [Supported media](https://docs.nodespell.com/reference/supported-media/). You can also upload from the **Assets** tool in the Create rail; see [Upload and organize assets](https://docs.nodespell.com/assets/upload-and-organize/).

## Choose a model

The model card at the top of the composer shows the selected video model. Keep the default for a first clip, or select the card to open **Choose model** and compare models. Each model supports different durations, resolutions and inputs, and the composer changes to match. See [Choose a model](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/choose-a-model/).

If you switch to a model that cannot accept a setting you already entered, Nodespell tells you which settings were adjusted or could not be carried over.

## Describe the motion

Type into the **Prompt** field what should move and how the camera behaves. The image already supplies the subject and look, so spend the words on motion:

- The subject's action: "the boats rock gently, gulls cross the frame".
- The camera: "slow push-in", "static camera", "slow pan left".
- Changes over time: "the fog thins as the sun rises".

Avoid describing a different scene from the image. The model treats the image as the first frame.

## Set duration and other controls

The controls below the prompt depend on the model. The table lists the common ones and the section they appear in.

| Control            | Section    | What it sets                                                                             |
| ------------------ | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Start frame**    | References | The image the clip starts from.                                                          |
| **End frame**      | References | An optional image the clip should end on, for models that support first and last frames. |
| **Duration**       | Motion     | Clip length. The credit estimate updates when you change it.                             |
| **Resolution**     | Output     | Output size, when the model offers a choice.                                             |
| **Aspect ratio**   | Output     | Frame shape, when the model offers a choice.                                             |
| **Generate audio** | Audio      | Whether the model also generates sound, for models that can.                             |

Less common controls, such as **Seed**, appear under **Settings** or inside the collapsible **More settings** group. When you change controls inside **More settings**, its header shows how many you changed.

## Check the estimate and generate

1. Keep **Generations** at `1`. Each extra generation is a separate video run.
2. On paid plans, read the credit estimate shown with a coin icon on the **Generate** button. It updates as you change the model, duration or resolution.
3. Select **Generate**.

Nodespell checks required fields first. If the image field is empty, it is marked as required and nothing is submitted. If your balance is too low, a **Not enough credits** sheet shows how many credits the run needs and how many you have.

## Review the clip

Video runs take longer than image runs. The **Results** section shows **Submitting**, **Running** and then **Complete** or **Failed**. The node in the graph shows the same progress.

When the clip is ready:

- Play it in the result preview in the composer.
- Select **View fullscreen** for a larger player.
- Use **Show older result** and **Show newer result** to compare clips if you generate again.

To try a different motion, edit the **Prompt** and select **Generate** again with the same node selected. Each clip is kept as a separate [take](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) on the node.

## Where to go from the clip

- Open the graph in **Graph** mode to see the chain: Image Generator, the **Selected historical result** Asset node, and Image to Video.
- Lengthen the shot with **Extend Video**, or raise its resolution with **Video Upscaler**. See [Creative Tools](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/).
- Add music or sound and cut it with other clips in the [Timeline](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/timeline/).
- Download the file; see [Export](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/export/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I control the last frame of the clip?

Some Image to Video models accept an **End frame** as well as a **Start frame**. The field appears only when the selected model supports it.

### Why does my clip change the subject or style of my image?

Video models interpret the prompt as well as the image. Describe motion and camera rather than a new scene, and keep the prompt consistent with what the image shows. Trying another model can also help.

### Does generating a new clip replace the old one?

No. Every clip is saved as a take on the Image to Video node. Browse them with **Show older result** and **Show newer result**, and choose which one the graph uses in [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/).

### Why is Image to Video asking for a paid plan?

Video generation is part of paid plans. A free account can still open the tool, set it up and connect it in the graph, but it cannot run video models.

## Related

- [Image to Video](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-to-video/) — every control and model option.
- [Make your first image](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image/) — create the source image.
- [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) — compare clips and choose one.
- [Timeline](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/timeline/) — assemble clips and audio.
- [Plans and credits](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/plans-and-credits/) — estimates and video access.