How to Generate Images and Videos With References in Chat

Chat can request both AI images and AI video clips. The controls next to the message box choose the type of generation, model, and supported references. Chat uses the aspect ratio you selected when the Editor project was created, so you cannot independently switch its image/video aspect ratio in the conversation.

Choose Image or Video

Use the Image/Video controls by the message box. If your message clearly asks for an image or a video, Chat follows that explicit request; when it is ambiguous, Chat follows the currently selected mode.

Generated images stay in the Chat library. Finished videos can be previewed before they go on the timeline.

Generate images in Chat

  1. Select Image.
  2. Describe the picture you want.
  3. Optionally attach reference images, up to four.
  4. Review the generated prompt, model, and references on the confirmation card.
  5. Press Confirm to start generating.

Chat's default image model is Nano Banana 2. Chat image output is set to 1K, and its aspect ratio follows the project's original 16:9 or 9:16 choice. For additional image ratios and resolution options, use Classic Image Generation.

How the project character reference works

If you uploaded a character image when creating the project, Chat puts that image in the first reference slot for image generation. If you remove it, it stops being automatically inserted for the project in both Chat and Classic. Video generation does not automatically inherit this project character reference.

If you ask Chat to revise a previously finished image, the image being revised is used as the source rather than the message box's ordinary reference selection.

Generate videos in Chat

  1. Select Video and describe the shot's movement or action.
  2. Choose a video model. The default is Veo 3.1.
  3. Choose an available duration · resolution option. Each option shows its credit cost.
  4. Optionally attach one image reference.
  5. Review the confirmation card, then select Confirm.

Video mode supports one reference image. When switching from Image to Video, Chat retains only the last attached image. Video requests do not support the same finished-image revision workflow used for image editing.

Add or remove reference photos

Drag a photo from the material library or from your computer into the input area. The thumbnail stays attached until you remove it. The confirmation card shows the exact image reference selected for that generation. If you remove the reference, the next request has no attached image reference unless you add another.

What happens to generated images and videos?

Successful results appear in the shared material library. Images cannot be placed directly on the timeline. Finished videos can be added from the library or using supported Chat timeline commands; see Timeline Editing.

FAQs

Can I attach ten reference photos to Chat Image mode?

No. Chat accepts up to four reference images. Some Classic image models allow more.

Why did my references change when I switched to Video?

Chat Video supports one reference photo, so it retains only the last photo when switching from Image.

Can I change Chat images from landscape to square?

No. Chat uses the aspect ratio saved when the project was created. Use Classic image generation for extra ratios, if supported by your chosen model.

Next: Confirm generations and track credits · Write a better shot prompt · Try Chat

Try BeatViz Editor

Open a project with your song. Classic and Chat share the same images, videos, and timeline.

BeatViz Chat Image & Video Generation: Models and References