Overview
Image-to-Video transforms static photos into dynamic, engaging videos with just a few clicks. In this guide, you'll learn how to upload an image, write a prompt to guide the animation, and render a video in your desired resolution.
Prerequisites
A Magic Hour account (free or paid plan)
A static image in a supported format (PNG, JPG, JPEG, WebP, AVIF, JP2, TIFF, BMP)
A clear idea of how you want your image to animate
Compatibility
Supported image formats: PNG, JPG, JPEG, WebP, AVIF, JP2, TIFF, BMP
Video duration: 5–60 seconds
Available on all plans: Basic (free), Creator, Pro, and Business
Maximum upload size: 100 MB (Basic), 1 GB (Creator/Pro), 3 GB (Business)
Before You Begin
This feature consumes credits based on video resolution and duration. Check your available credits before generating. For more details on pricing, visit the pricing page.
High-quality, high-resolution source images produce better results. Aim for images at least 512 pixels wide for optimal output. Avoid blurry or low-contrast photos when possible.
How to Create a Video from Your Image
Step 1: Upload Your Image
Go to the Image-to-Video tool.
Click Upload image or drag your image directly into the upload area.
Select a supported image file from your device.
Expected result: Your image appears in the preview area, ready for the next step.
Step 2: Write Your Prompt
In the prompt field, describe how you want your image to animate.
Be specific about desired effects, motion, or transformations.
Example prompts:
"Slow zoom in on the subject with a subtle depth-of-field blur"
"Gentle camera pan from left to right with warm lighting"
"360-degree rotation of the object with glossy reflections"
"Fade to black with ethereal floating particles"
Expected result: Your prompt is saved and ready to guide the video generation.
More detailed prompts produce better results. Include motion direction, lighting effects, and the mood you want to convey. Avoid overly complex instructions—focus on 1–3 key animation effects.
Step 3: Configure Video Settings
Set the video duration (5–60 seconds). Start with 5 seconds if you're unsure.
Choose your resolution:
480p: Best for quick social media previews and rapid testing (5–10 seconds only).
720p: Recommended for most creators and social media platforms (5–60 seconds).
1080p: Highest quality output for YouTube, client work, and high-impact projects (5–60 seconds). Requires Pro or Business plan.
Optionally select platform-specific dimensions (e.g., Instagram 9:16, YouTube 16:9) if offered in your interface.
Expected result: Video settings are confirmed and the credit cost is displayed (or estimated). Magic Hour automatically selects the optimal processing model based on your resolution and duration.
Step 4: Render Your Video
Click the Render Video button.
The system validates your settings and begins processing.
A progress indicator shows the estimated time remaining.
Expected result: Your video is generated and saved to your account. You'll receive a notification when it's ready.
Step 5: Download Your Video
Once the video is complete, click the Download button or access it from your Dashboard.
Choose your preferred video format (typically MP4).
The video downloads to your device, ready to share or edit further.
Expected result: Your animated video is ready to use across social media, websites, or other platforms.
Verify Your Video
Your video is ready when you see:
A green checkmark or "Complete" status on the video card
A download button or preview player
The video duration and resolution displayed correctly
Play the downloaded video to confirm the animation, motion, and quality meet your expectations. If the result doesn't match your vision, you can regenerate with a revised prompt or different settings.
Tips for Better Results
Prompt Best Practices:
Start with the primary motion effect (e.g., "zoom," "pan," "rotate")
Add lighting or style details (e.g., "warm glow," "cinematic," "soft focus")
Specify camera speed if relevant (e.g., "slow zoom," "quick pan")
Test with 5 seconds first, then extend duration as needed
Use concrete descriptors—"vintage film grain" works better than "vintage look"
Magic Hour automatically selects the best processing model for your chosen resolution and duration, so focus on your creative vision rather than technical settings
Image Selection:
Choose well-lit, high-contrast images with clear subjects
Avoid images with heavy compression or artifacts
Portrait-oriented images work well for zoom effects; landscape images suit pans
Historical or artistic photos often produce compelling animations
Understanding Credits and Costs
Image-to-Video uses Magic Hour's credit system. The cost depends on resolution and video length:
480p: ~120 credits per 5 seconds (5–10 seconds only)
720p: ~300 credits per 5 seconds (5–60 seconds)
1080p: ~600 credits per 5 seconds (5–60 seconds, Pro/Business only)
Your available credits are displayed in the top-right corner of your dashboard. View your plan's monthly credit allocation to see how many videos you can generate.
Credits do not roll over to the next month. Use them before your billing cycle resets, or they expire.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
"Insufficient credits" error | Your available credits are below the video cost | Upgrade your plan or purchase additional credits |
Video quality is lower than expected | You used 480p resolution | Try 720p or 1080p (if available on your plan) for higher quality output |
Animation doesn't match your prompt | Prompt was too vague or contradictory | Regenerate with a clearer, more specific prompt |
Video renders slowly or fails | Server load or file size issue | Wait a few minutes and retry. For large files (>3 GB), reduce image resolution or duration |
Unsupported file format error | Image format is not on the supported list | Convert your image to PNG or JPG and try again |
Image upload fails | File size exceeds your plan's limit | Compress the image or upgrade to a plan with higher upload limits |
Using Image-to-Video with Templates
Magic Hour offers a library of pre-built templates that can accelerate your workflow. These templates come with optimized settings for specific styles (e.g., "Cinematic Pan," "360 Rotate," "Fade & Float"). To use a template:
Visit the Templates page and browse Image-to-Video options
Click a template that matches your desired animation style
Upload your image and the template's settings will be pre-applied
Customize the prompt if needed, then render
Templates are especially useful if you're new to prompting or need consistent results across multiple videos.
Common Use Cases
Social Media Content: Transform product photos into engaging TikToks, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts
Real Estate Marketing: Create immersive property tours from static listing photos
Memorial Videos: Bring cherished photos to life with subtle, respectful animations
Business Presentations: Animate infographics or product images for slideshows
Art & Creative Projects: Add movement to paintings, illustrations, or historical images for unique storytelling
Educational Content: Animate diagrams or historical photos to engage learners
Next Steps
Getting Started with Magic Hour – Learn about all available tools and your dashboard
Text-to-Video – Create videos from text descriptions instead of images
Video-to-Video – Apply new styles to existing videos
Animation – Create stop-motion or frame-by-frame animations
API Documentation – Automate Image-to-Video with code
Getting Help
If your video doesn't turn out as expected:
Review the Tips for Better Results section and try a revised prompt
Test with a different image to isolate the issue
Try 720p or 1080p (if available on your plan) for higher quality output
For technical issues or billing questions, contact support:
Email: [email protected]
Community: Join our Discord server to connect with other creators and the team
Status: Check system status if features aren't working