Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video
Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video animates a still image into video. The source photograph anchors visual identity while a text prompt directs motion, camera work, and scene evolution. It's a cost-optimized path from static asset to moving content.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';
const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'bytedance/seedance-v1.0-lite-i2v', prompt: 'A serene mountain lake at sunrise.'});Playground
Try out Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video by ByteDance. Usage is billed to your team at API rates. Free users (those who haven't made a payment) get $5 of credits every 30 days.
Providers
Route requests across multiple providers. Copy a provider slug to set your preference. Visit the docs for more info. Using a provider means you agree to their terms, listed under Legal.
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About Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video
Most creative teams already have the still image. The product shot is done, the portrait approved, the illustration finalized. Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video accepts that finished image alongside a text prompt and generates a video clip where the subject moves, the camera shifts, and the scene evolves while maintaining visual consistency with the original photograph.
This differs from text-to-video (T2V) generation. A T2V model generates every visual element from scratch based on text alone. With image-to-video (I2V), the source image anchors the output. Colors, textures, spatial layout, and subject appearance carry over from the photograph. The model adds plausible motion and temporal continuity on top of that foundation.
Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video shares the unified pre-training framework described in the Seedance 1.0 tech report. That architecture handles both T2V and I2V through binary task masks, so the motion modeling, structural stability, and multi-shot awareness that earned Seedance first-place rankings on Artificial Analysis leaderboards are present here. Output spans 720p and 1080p at 24 fps, with durations from two to 12 seconds and seven aspect ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 21:9, and 9:21.
See https://console.byteplus.com/ark/region:ark+ap-southeast-1/model/detail?Id=seedance-1-0-lite-i2v for methodology and benchmark context.
The Lite tier targets volume. Teams animating entire product catalogs or generating dozens of social video variants from one approved photograph can do so at a lower per-clip cost than Pro-tier options.
What To Consider When Choosing a Provider
- Configuration: Before you scale an image-to-video pipeline to production, verify that your reference images meet the model's expected input format and resolution. Higher-resolution sources usually preserve identity better in the output. Compare rates (listed video cost N/A; tier lines N/A).
- Zero Data Retention: AI Gateway does not currently support Zero Data Retention for this model. See the documentation for models that support ZDR.
- Authentication: AI Gateway authenticates requests using an API key or OIDC token. You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.
When to Use Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video
Best For
- E-commerce product animation: Turn approved catalog photography into short video clips that show the product in motion
- Social media content: Convert an existing brand image or illustration into a short-form video for platform distribution
- Animation direction exploration: Test different prompts on a single source image to see how the same photograph can move in different ways
- Marketing asset pipelines: Generate video variants from a locked hero image without commissioning new shoots or renders
Consider Alternatives When
- No reference image: Use a T2V variant when the video should come entirely from a text description
- Cinematic output: Seedance 1.0 Pro provides a higher motion-fidelity ceiling with advanced directorial controls
- Video-based source: Reference-to-video models are designed for workflows where the source material is a video clip rather than a still image
Conclusion
Seedance v1.0 Lite Image-to-Video turns the still image you already have into the video you need. By anchoring on a source photograph rather than building from text alone, it preserves visual identity with less prompt engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What image formats and resolutions work best as input?
The model accepts standard raster image formats. Higher-resolution source images provide more visual detail for the model to preserve during animation, so use the highest-quality version of your source photograph.
How does the text prompt interact with the source image?
The image defines what the scene looks like: colors, subjects, and composition. The text prompt tells the model what should happen, including how the subject moves, where the camera goes, and what changes over time. The image anchors visual identity while the prompt directs temporal evolution.
Can I animate an illustration or render, or only photographs?
Yes. The model works with any raster image input. Photographs, digital illustrations, 3D renders, and graphic designs can all serve as source material. Output quality depends on how much motion-relevant detail the source provides.
What happens if my source image has a complex background?
The model will attempt to animate the entire scene, including background elements. For cleaner results when the subject is the focus, images with simpler or more uniform backgrounds tend to produce more controlled motion in the output.
How long can the generated video be?
Clips range from two to 12 seconds at 24 fps. For most social and e-commerce uses, five- to eight-second clips provide enough time to showcase motion without losing viewer attention.
What is the quality difference between Lite I2V and Pro I2V for image animation?
Lite prioritizes speed and cost efficiency for volume work and iteration. Pro I2V targets a higher motion-fidelity ceiling and suits hero or broadcast deliverables. Compare tiers (N/A; N/A).