How-to · 6 min
Text to Video Guide: From a Written Prompt to a Finished Clip
Text to video is the fastest way to make a clip when you have an idea but no footage. You type a description, and Seedance Mini on SDMini renders the scene, the motion, and the camera work in seconds. This guide walks the whole process start to finish, from your first sentence to a clean export.
You do not need editing skills or a powerful computer. Everything runs in the browser, and you can start free with no login. Follow the steps below and you will have a usable clip in a few minutes.
Step 1: Write a clear, specific prompt
Start with one subject doing one action in one place, then add a camera move and a lighting cue. For example: "A surfer rides a large wave at sunset, spray flying, tracking shot from the shore, warm golden light, cinematic." That single sentence gives the model everything it needs.
Resist the urge to describe a whole story. A text-to-video clip is 5 to 10 seconds, so it shows a moment, not a sequence. If you have a bigger idea, break it into separate clips and stitch them later in an editor.
Step 2: Choose length, aspect ratio, and resolution
Pick your clip length first: 5 seconds for a quick beat, 8 for a fuller action, 10 when the motion needs room to breathe. Then set the aspect ratio to match the destination. Use 16:9 for YouTube and websites, 9:16 for TikTok and Reels, and 1:1 for feed posts.
Resolution depends on your account. The free anonymous tier renders 480p text-to-video, which is fine for testing. Register for free daily credits to unlock 1080p HD and priority speed when you are ready to publish.
Step 3: Generate, review, and refine
Hit generate and the clip renders in seconds. Watch it once for the big picture and once for detail. Ask whether the subject is clear, the motion is smooth, and the camera does what you wanted. Most prompts get better with one or two small edits.
Refine by changing a single variable at a time. If the motion is too busy, simplify the action. If the framing is off, adjust the camera term or the aspect ratio. This one-change-at-a-time habit teaches you fast what each word does and saves credits.
Step 4: Export and use your clip
When you are happy, export it. Paid plans export with no watermark, so the clip is ready to post, embed, or drop into a longer edit. Anonymous free clips are great for trying ideas before you commit.
Because Seedance Mini makes visuals only, add any music or voiceover in your editor after export. A short AI clip plus a music bed is a complete, polished post for almost any platform.
Fixing common text-to-video problems
If the subject looks unstable, you probably asked for too much motion or too many subjects. Cut it to one subject and one clear action. If the scene feels flat, add a lighting cue and a single camera move. If a detail keeps coming out wrong, describe it more precisely rather than repeating it.
When a specific look matters and text alone is not getting there, switch to image-to-video instead. Start from a still you control and animate it, which locks the composition while the model handles the motion.
Frequently asked questions
- Is text to video free on SDMini?
- Yes. Anonymous visitors can make text-to-video clips free with no login, capped at 480p. Register for free daily credits to unlock 1080p and faster rendering.
- How long can a text-to-video clip be?
- You can choose 5, 8, or 10 seconds. For longer videos, generate several clips and combine them in an editor.
- What resolution will my clip be?
- Up to 1080p HD for registered users. The free anonymous tier outputs 480p. The model does not produce 4K.
- Why does my video not match my prompt exactly?
- Usually the prompt asks for too much in one short clip. Lead with one subject and one action, add a single camera move and lighting cue, and change one thing at a time when refining.