Google Veo: create video from text, reference images, or first and last frame. Fast variants for speed; extend to lengthen existing clips.
This model gets stronger as the shot becomes more explicit. Give it a subject, a move, a frame, and a mood so the output feels directed instead of guessed.
Best results start with a directed prompt or a strong first frame.
Veo 3.1 is Google’s video model on Pixio. Create video from text, reference images, or first and last frame; use extend (scene extension) to chain clips and reach up to ~2.5 minutes. Fast variants are available for drafts; the full model delivers cinematic quality and precise frame control.
Veo 3.1 is Google’s video model on Pixio. Create video from text, reference images, or first and last frame; use extend (scene extension) to chain clips and reach up to ~2.5 minutes. Fast variants are available for drafts; the full model delivers cinematic quality and precise frame control.
| Mode | Input | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Text to video | Prompt only | Scenes from scratch |
| Image to video | One image + prompt | Animating stills, keyframe-driven clips |
| First + last frame | Two images + prompt | Precise start and end; model animates the transition |
| Reference to video | One or more reference images + prompt | Style or character consistency |
| Extend | Existing Veo clip | Lengthening the clip; chain hops for long-form (e.g. up to ~20 hops, ~7s per hop) |
| Option | Values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Fast, Standard (or higher) | Fast for drafts and iteration; Standard for best quality and coherence |
| Duration | Single clip (e.g. up to ~8s base) | Extension adds length per hop; check Pixio for current limits |
| Reference images | 1–3 images | Use for style or character consistency when the UI supports it |
Credits depend on tier (Fast vs Standard) and duration. Extension hops add cost per segment. Check the model card in Pixio for current rates.
First + last frame: Upload two images as the start and end of your clip; Veo 3.1 animates the transition. You get precise control over the opening and closing shot—ideal for storyboards or when the beat of the cut is fixed.
Scene extension: Use Extend to lengthen a clip you already generated. You can chain multiple extension hops (each adds roughly several seconds); total length can reach well over a minute for long-form narratives. The model preserves the look and motion of the original and continues the action or scene naturally.
[Scene] + [Motion] + [Camera] + [Mood]
One clear sentence: what we see, how it moves, and the feel.
Cinematic:
"A lone figure stands at the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast canyon at sunset. Slow dolly push-in on their silhouette. Golden hour light bathes the landscape in warm tones. Wind gently moves their hair. Dramatic, contemplative mood."
Product:
"A luxury watch rests on a dark velvet tray. Camera slowly circles it, catching the light on the dial and bracelet. Soft studio lighting, shallow depth of field. High-end, close-up, premium product style."
Action:
"Two fighters face each other in a dusty arena. They circle cautiously, then clash in a burst of movement. Dynamic tracking camera work follows the combat. High contrast, dramatic shadows, cinematic combat choreography."
| Scenario | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Google quality, first+last frame, long-form via extend | Veo 3.1 |
| Cinema-grade multi-shot from one reference | Seedance 2 Pro |
| Quick draft, lower cost | Kling or Gen-4 Turbo |
| Video-to-video restyle | Gen-4 Aleph or Grok Imagine |
| Talking head / lip-sync | Fabric, Character 3, or OmniHuman |
| 4K upscale | Gen-4 Upscale |
For more workflows and prompting examples, see the Veo course in the Academy.
Start with a strong first frame when consistency matters more than surprise.
Keep each prompt focused on one primary motion direction.
Use shorter runs for iteration, then scale up for finals.
For narratives, structure the idea as Shot 1 / Shot 2 / Shot 3 instead of one flat blob.
A strong video prompt gives the scene a subject, a move, camera behavior, and a mood to hold onto.
Start from language and push for camera intent, pacing, atmosphere, and shot design in one move.
Start from a frame or reference when consistency matters more than improvisation.
Continue or refine the clip without throwing away the visual language you already established.
Veo 3.1 works well when the prompt needs motion, framing, and visual direction, not just subject matter.
Use it for sequences that need a strong first frame, continuity, or a clearly controlled camera idea.
Treat each generation like a shot brief instead of a loose caption to get more cinematic outputs.
Start with either a directed text brief or a strong frame, depending on how locked the look already is.
Write the motion like a director: subject, action, camera behavior, environment, lighting, and tone.
Iterate fast on shorter runs, then move to stronger finals once the rhythm feels right.
Use it to build a stronger first frame, then hand that frame to the video model for motion and continuity.
Pair it with frame extraction, merge tools, or image prep so the motion workflow stays clean end to end.
