Motion clip: do
- Full body in frame for body moves
- One person, plain background
- Steady lighting, no motion blur
- Short: 3–5 s of the key move
- Similar framing to your character (full-body to full-body)
Domo AI · Reference-guided video
Domo AI Motion & Style Reference
Copy the moves from one clip and the look from another
Upload a reference video and Domo AI transfers its dance, gesture or camera move to your character. Add a reference image and the result takes on its colors, shading and linework. You direct the shot instead of rolling the dice on a prompt.
2reference types
MP4 · MOV · AVImotion clips
≤10 sper generation
The basics
What is Motion & Style Reference?
It’s a reference-guided way to make video in DomoAI. Instead of describing movement and style in words, you show the AI: a clip for how things should move, an image for how things should look. DomoAI then applies both to your own character or footage.
- Motion reference: copy body movement, dance, gestures or camera paths from a video
- Style reference: copy palette, shading, linework, texture and mood from an image
- Use either one alone, or combine both in a single shot
- Works with Character Animation, Video to Video and Image to Video workflows
How they combine
Three inputs, one shot
Each input controls one thing, so you can swap any of them without redoing the rest.
Who
Your character
A photo, OC, mascot or AI image. Sets the identity.
How it moves
Motion reference
A short video. Sets pose, timing and camera.
How it looks
Style reference
A frame or artwork. Sets color, line and texture.
Result
Directed clip
Your character, doing those moves, in that look.
Motion reference
Borrow the movement
Upload a video with clear movement. DomoAI reads the body motion and camera behavior, then has your character perform it. One character at a time gives the most reliable results.
| Dance & performance | Trend dances, choreography, idol moves |
|---|---|
| Gestures | Waves, reactions, presenting, pointing |
| Action | Fight combos, jumps, sports moves |
| Camera | Push-ins, orbits, handheld shake, pans |
Subject Only mode keeps the effect on your character so the background doesn’t drift.
Style reference
Borrow the look
Upload an illustration, a still frame or brand artwork. DomoAI matches its visual language instead of guessing from a style name. In Video to Video you can pick one of 40+ presets, describe a style in text, or upload a reference image.
PaletteColors & contrast
LineworkOutline weight
ShadingCel, soft, painterly
TextureGrain, paper, brush
Build a style pack: keep 3–5 approved frames per brand or series and reuse them for every video so characters stay on-model.
Interactive
Reference mixer
Pick a motion and a style to see how the two references combine, and get a starting recipe. The preview is a simplified illustration, not DomoAI output.
Motion reference
Style reference
Starting recipe
Step by step
Character Animation guide →How to use Motion & Style Reference
- 01
Pick the workflow
Character Animation for a still character, Video to Video to restyle footage, or Image to Video for a single frame.
- 02
Upload your character
A clear, well-lit image or clip with one main subject.
- 03
Add the motion reference
An MP4, MOV or AVI clip with clean, readable movement.
- 04
Add the style reference
Upload a frame or artwork, or choose a preset style.
- 05
Set duration & options
Start at 3–5 s. Add a short prompt, aspect ratio and Subject Only if needed.
- 06
Generate & polish
Review, then upscale, remove the background or add lip sync.
Better inputs, better output
What makes a good reference
Motion clip: avoid
- Several dancers overlapping
- Limbs leaving the frame
- Fast cuts or transitions inside the clip
- Very dark, shaky or low-resolution video
- Matching a full-body move to a close-up portrait
Style image: do
- One clear, consistent art style
- Colors and lighting you want to keep
- Similar subject (character for character)
- High resolution, no text or watermarks
Style image: avoid
- Busy collages mixing several styles
- Heavy text, logos or UI
- Tiny, compressed thumbnails
- Art you don’t have the rights to use
Use cases
All use cases →Who uses reference-guided video
Brands & agencies
Ad variations and mascots that stay on-brand across a whole campaign.
Anime & series creators
Keep recurring characters on-model and reuse signature moves.
VTubers & virtual influencers
Put trend dances on your avatar with consistent art direction.
UGC & short-form editors
Restyle raw footage so a whole feed shares one look.
Comparison
References vs prompt only
Prompts are fast for exploring. References win when you need a specific move or a look that must match across videos.
| Aspect | Prompt only | With references |
|---|---|---|
| Exact choreography | Hard to describe | Copied from the clip |
| Style consistency | Varies per run | Anchored to one image |
| Camera moves | Approximate | Follows the reference |
| Setup time | Just type | Find or film references |
| Exploring ideas | Great | Less flexible |
Limitations
- Poor references give poor results: blur, crowds and cuts carry through
- Busy or mixed style images can confuse the output
- One character at a time works best
- Built for short clips: up to 10 s per generation in Video to Video
- Some models suit close-ups better than full-body shots
Rights & ethics
Only use reference videos and artwork you own or have permission to use. Copying a choreographer’s routine or an artist’s signature style for commercial work can raise rights issues. Don’t use real people’s footage or likeness without consent, and label AI-generated content where platforms require it.
Terms & usage policy →What is Domo AI Motion & Style Reference?
It’s a way to guide DomoAI with examples instead of words. A motion reference (a video) tells the AI how your character should move. A style reference (an image) tells it how the result should look: colors, shading, linework and texture.
Can I use motion and style references together?
Yes. You can use either one alone or combine them, so your character copies the movement from one clip and the look from a separate image.
What files can I upload as a motion reference?
Common video formats such as MP4, MOV and AVI. Short, clean clips with one clearly visible subject and no cuts work best.
How long can a reference-guided clip be?
Video to Video generates up to 10 seconds per run. Start with 3–5 seconds to test the move and style, then extend or stitch clips together.
Does it work with several characters at once?
It works best with one character at a time. Crowded reference clips with overlapping people usually give messy results.
Why doesn’t my result match the reference?
Usually because of the reference itself: blur, cut-off limbs, several people, or a framing mismatch (for example, a full-body dance applied to a close-up portrait). A busy style image that mixes several styles also weakens the match.
Can I use any video or artwork as a reference?
Only use material you own or have permission to use. Don’t use real people’s footage or likeness without consent, and be careful with commercial use of another artist’s signature style or a choreographer’s routine.
Can I use the results commercially?
DomoAI says animations can be used for personal and commercial projects. Free-plan outputs are watermarked, so use a paid plan for client or brand work, and make sure your references are cleared too.
Direct the shot, don’t guess it.
Show Domo AI the move and the look. Your character does the rest. Start with free credits.