Seedance 2.0 makes AI video generation accessible to everyone — from content creators to marketing teams to hobbyists. This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create your first AI video and beyond.
Prerequisites
Before you start, you'll need:
- A free account on Seedance 2 AI (no credit card required)
- An idea for your video (text prompt or a reference image)
New accounts receive free credits to get started, so you can create several videos before deciding on a paid plan.
Step 1: Choose Your Generation Mode
Seedance 2.0 supports two primary modes:
Text-to-Video
Describe the video you want in natural language. The AI interprets your text and generates a matching video.
Example prompts that work well:
- "A golden retriever running through autumn leaves in slow motion, cinematic lighting"
- "A product shot of a coffee cup with steam rising, rotating slowly on a marble surface"
- "A woman walking through a neon-lit Tokyo street at night, cyberpunk style"
Tips for better text prompts:
- Be specific about camera movement (slow motion, tracking shot, zoom)
- Include lighting descriptions (golden hour, cinematic, dramatic)
- Mention style references (cinematic, documentary, commercial)
- Describe the mood and atmosphere
Image-to-Video
Upload a static image and Seedance 2.0 will animate it into a video with natural motion. This is ideal for:
- Animating product photos into video ads
- Bringing illustrations to life
- Creating dynamic content from existing assets
Step 2: Set Your Parameters
Aspect Ratio
Choose the right format for your platform:
- 16:9 — YouTube, websites, presentations
- 9:16 — TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts
- 1:1 — Instagram feed, Facebook
- 4:3 — Traditional video format
- 21:9 — Cinematic ultrawide
Video Duration
- 5 seconds — 60 credits (text-to-video) / 80 credits (image-to-video)
- 10 seconds — 100 credits (text-to-video) / 120 credits (image-to-video)
For social media content, 5-second clips are often sufficient and more credit-efficient.
Step 3: Generate Your Video
Click "Generate Video" and wait approximately 45 seconds. The AI will process your request and create a high-quality 1080p video.
While you wait, the progress indicator shows real-time status updates.
Step 4: Preview and Download
Once generated:
- Preview your video directly in the browser
- Download as an MP4 file (no watermark on paid plans)
- Regenerate if you want a different result — each generation produces unique output
Pro Tips for Better Results
1. Use Reference Images for Precision
When you want a specific look, upload reference images rather than relying on text alone. This gives the AI concrete visual guidance.
2. Iterate on Your Prompts
Your first generation might not be perfect. Refine your prompt based on the output:
- Too static? Add motion words ("flowing", "sweeping", "dynamic")
- Wrong style? Be more explicit about the aesthetic ("photorealistic", "animated", "watercolor")
- Wrong framing? Specify camera angle ("close-up", "wide shot", "bird's eye view")
3. Credit-Efficient Workflows
- Start with 5-second clips to test prompts before committing to 10-second generation
- Use image-to-video when you have good source material — the results are often more predictable
- Save your best prompts for reuse
4. Optimize for Platform
Different platforms have different requirements:
- TikTok/Reels: Use 9:16, keep it dynamic in the first 2 seconds
- YouTube: Use 16:9, prioritize visual quality
- E-commerce: Use 1:1 or 4:3, focus on product clarity
Common Use Cases
Marketing Videos
Create product demos, ad creatives, and promotional content without a video production team.
Social Media Content
Generate a week's worth of scroll-stopping video content in minutes rather than days.
E-commerce Listings
Convert product photos into engaging video listings that boost conversion rates.
Educational Content
Create visual explanations and demonstrations for courses and tutorials.
What's Next?
Now that you know the basics, start creating your first AI video with Seedance 2.0. Your free credits are waiting.
Want to see what others have created? Check out our Showcases for inspiration.
