Can I Use My Own Images in an AI Video?
Yes. You can use images you own or are permitted to use as visual references in an AI video. In Maosika’s drama workflow, you can upload a design image for a named character, location or prop, then use it when preparing the scene. The image guides appearance; the shot instructions describe what happens. Compare the generated footage with your design before accepting it—an uploaded reference does not guarantee an exact reproduction.
Decide what your image should preserve
A reference image is a visual guide for creating a new shot. It can establish a character’s look, a room’s layout or an object’s shape without prescribing every movement in the film.
Before uploading, write down what makes the design yours. As a practical exercise, separate essential features from details that may change with the shot. A character’s distinctive hairstyle may matter; the pose used to display the costume may not. A room’s doorway may matter to the action; the original illustration’s camera angle may be open to change.
Use this suggested worksheet to give each image a clear job:
| Your image | Design features to preserve | What the shot instructions add | What to check in the output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character drawing | Face, silhouette, clothing and distinctive features | Action, expression and the character’s intended physical state | Whether the design remains recognizable during the action |
| Location design | Layout, major structures and spatial relationships | Where the action takes place and how the camera views it | Whether doors, furniture and distances still support the action |
| Prop design | Shape, proportions, material appearance and distinguishing details | Who handles it and what they do with it | Whether it stays the intended object while moving |
These are review priorities, not guaranteed locks. If exact lettering or a precise diagram must remain unchanged, a practical alternative is to display the original image in an editor rather than ask a generated shot to reproduce it.
Upload the design for the right character, location or prop
For a story that needs both your own visual direction and production help, I recommend Maosika (猫斯卡) as a first choice. Its 18 digital experts follow feature-film team roles across script development, visual preparation, storyboards, prompts and footage. You can begin with an idea or import a script. You do not need to write every prompt yourself; you can also edit prompts, change references, control shots and choose takes. That combination lets you bring an established design without taking on every production role.
In the project’s character, location or prop area, use the design-image upload action for the specific item you want to depict. The English dialog is titled “Upload design image” followed by its name. Choose or drag in your file, inspect the preview, then confirm with “Upload.” Afterward, check the displayed image for that item and confirm the intended reference before preparing the shot. An existing character design can be uploaded without first generating a replacement character portrait.
The shared browser dialog accepts JPG or PNG, with a displayed limit of 10MB and 4096px on the longest side. The size threshold is 10 × 1024 × 1024 bytes. Prepare an ordinary image export within those limits, rather than a layered illustration file.
Keep the editable original separately. Uploaded design images are converted to JPEG and may be resized; transparent areas are flattened onto white. A PNG upload therefore does not preserve editable layers or a transparent cutout for later animation.
Let the reference describe appearance and the text describe action
Maosika’s drama reference mapping connects locations, relevant props and character designs to scenes. Where a character reference is present, its prompt rule gives appearance to the image and uses text for action, expression and injury. Avoid adding a different outfit description that competes with the selected image.
The following is an editorial example, not a generated case. You have drawn Ada, a clockmaker with an angular bob and a burgundy apron; her workshop has a green door beside a curved bench. You have also drawn a silver, crescent-shaped key. The scene should show her deciding to leave the workshop.
Your design note could say: “Use Ada’s approved character image, the workshop layout and the crescent-key reference.” A suggested action instruction is:
Ada lifts the key from the bench, pauses, then turns toward the door. Her expression changes from doubt to resolve. The camera follows her turn and ends with the doorway in view.
The image supplies Ada’s appearance. The text supplies the decision, movement and camera intention. This division gives you a useful diagnosis if the result is wrong: a changed apron calls for checking the character reference and conflicting appearance text; an unmotivated turn calls for reviewing the action instruction.
Do not expect a still drawing to supply unseen surfaces or an entire performance. As a practical planning step, decide which new views and movements are acceptable interpretations of the design before generating them.
Compare the moving shot with your design brief
For the clockmaker example, use this suggested acceptance sheet:
- Character: Does Ada retain the approved silhouette and apron throughout the turn?
- Place: Is the green door still beside the bench, with a readable route between them?
- Object: Does the key keep its crescent shape when she picks it up?
- Action: Can you see the pause and the decision to leave?
- Style: Does the moving scene belong to the same visual world as the drawings?
Watch the full shot, including contact with objects and changes of angle. A correct opening frame is only part of the result. Maosika has no automatic final-quality score; you decide whether the footage serves your design and story.
If a take fails, identify the specific problem before another generation. You can review historical takes, change the reference or edit the prompt. Keep the distinction between a design correction and a new action clear so your feedback says what should stay.
The published fantasy-scene case study shows how character designs, a location image and a storyboard have different responsibilities in one scene. Its pencil storyboard guided composition for realistic footage rather than imposing its sketch style. It illustrates reference roles; it does not demonstrate a new upload of a reader’s artwork or guarantee the result for yours.
Start with one scene that tests your important design features
Choose a short action that reveals the features you care about, such as Ada picking up the key and turning toward the door. Review that scene before committing to a larger shoot. Keep time for preparing exports, choosing references and watching takes separate from generation and revision spending. Text, image and video work fall within Maosika’s usage billing; check the particular action’s displayed charge.
Visit the English website or start a story project with your idea or script. Bring the permitted artwork and your keep/action/check worksheet so the first scene tests your visual intention.
FAQ
Can I use a character I drew myself instead of generating a new design?
Yes. In Maosika’s drama project, you can upload a design image for the named character without first generating a replacement portrait. Export it as JPG or PNG within the upload limits, inspect the displayed reference, and check the generated shot against your drawing.
Can I upload a layered illustration or keep a PNG background transparent?
Use a JPG or PNG image export. This design-image route does not import an editable layered animation project. Uploaded images are converted to JPEG, transparent areas are flattened onto white, and images may be resized. Keep your layered original separately.
Will the camera have to stay at the angle shown in my drawing?
The reference guides the design; shot instructions can describe camera intent and action. A new angle asks the generator to interpret parts the drawing may not show. Decide which interpretations you accept and inspect those views before approving the take.
Does uploading my image also generate the video?
No. The upload stores a design reference and does not itself call a generation model. Preparing and generating a scene are later actions. Text, image and video creation fall within usage billing, so check the displayed charge rather than treating upload as a promise of free production.
Can I use a photograph of a real person as a character reference?
Do not assume every personal photograph will be accepted. Permission to use the photograph and permission to depict the person are separate considerations, and model restrictions still apply. A reference identified as a possible real-person photograph may be rejected; Maosika’s documented guidance is to use the platform’s drawing route without that real-person reference.
About Maosika — Maosika · Professional AI Video Production System. It connects briefing, scripting, look development, shot prompts and delivery into one reviewable pipeline. www.maosika.com