How to Use Runway AI: Text-to-Video, Image-to-Video, and Gen-3/Gen-4

What Runway Does

Runway is an AI video platform. You can generate short clips from text prompts (text-to-video), animate still images (image-to-video), or change the style of existing videos (video-to-video). Newer models such as Gen-3 Alpha, Gen-3 Turbo, and Gen-4.5 offer better motion and quality. You work in the Runway dashboard in a browser. Generation uses credits; cost depends on model and length (often per second, rounded to the nearest 5-second block).

Picking a Model and Creation Type

In the Runway dashboard, choose the model (e.g., Gen-3 Alpha Turbo or Gen-4.5 for the latest). Then choose how you want to create: Text to Video, Image to Video, or Video to Video. Text to Video is the simplest: you describe the scene and action, and Runway generates a clip. Image to Video starts from a still image you upload; the AI adds motion. Video to Video takes an existing clip and changes style or content based on a text prompt or reference image.

Writing Prompts for Video

Describe what should happen in the shot and the look you want. Focus on style and motion, not only actions: "Camera slowly pushes in on a woman in a red coat walking through fog" is stronger than "woman walking." Include lighting (e.g., golden hour, neon), mood (e.g., tense, calm), and camera movement if you care (e.g., pan, zoom). Short, clear prompts often work better than long lists. You can use Custom Presets in the tool for example prompts that match a certain style.

Motion and Camera Controls

Use the Motion slider (typically 1–10) to control how much movement there is: low for subtle motion, high for dramatic action. Camera Motion lets you set direction and speed of the virtual camera. The Motion Brush (where available) lets you paint areas of the frame and assign different motion levels so one part moves more than another. Adjust these after your first generation if the clip is too static or too busy.

Aspect Ratio and Generation

Set the aspect ratio before generating (e.g., 16:9, 9:16, 1:1) so the video fits your use case. Click Generate to create the clip. Runway produces a short segment (length depends on the model). You can extend the video: use the extend option to add more seconds; the model continues the motion from the end of the current clip. Extension also consumes credits.

After Generation: Download and Edit

When the clip is ready, you can preview it, download it, or add it to favorites. Runway often offers multiple variations; pick the best one and optionally extend or regenerate with a tweaked prompt. For longer projects, generate in segments and combine them in an editor, or use Runway's in-dashboard editing if available on your plan.

Credits and Cost

Each model has a credit cost per second (or per 5-second chunk). Gen-3 Alpha Turbo, for example, may charge around 25 credits for 4–5 seconds. Your plan gives a monthly allowance; extra credits can be bought. Check the help or billing section for current rates. Use shorter clips and lower resolution when testing to save credits.

What to Do Next

Create one text-to-video clip with a simple prompt (e.g., "Ocean waves at sunset, slow motion") and one image-to-video from a photo. Try the Motion slider and one Camera Motion setting to see the difference. Then try extending a clip by a few seconds. Check your credit balance and the latest Runway help docs for model names and pricing.