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Prompting Guide for Video Generation

Crafting effective prompts to leverage the full potential of Layer's video generation.

Updated over 2 months ago

Crafting effective prompts for video generation is key for creating high-quality assets you can use in your game. We currently support generations with Hunyuan, Kling 1.5 Pro, Minimax, and Minimax Live - and more models on the way. Below, we outline best practices for writing prompts tailored to these models, ensuring you achieve high-quality, consistent outputs.

General Tips for Writing Prompts

  1. Be Specific: Include clear details about the scene, subject, style, and any desired camera movements.

  2. Structure Your Prompt: Follow a logical sequence to include:

    • Main Subject

    • Background/Environment

    • Style (e.g., cinematic, realistic, cartoon)

    • Shot Type (e.g., close-up, wide-angle)

    • Camera Movement (e.g., pan left, tilt down)

    • Atmosphere or Mood (e.g., tense, cozy)

  3. Use Action Verbs: Describe dynamic scenes using words like “running,” “zooming,” “tilting,” to guide the model.

  4. Incorporate Metadata: When available, use tags like “high-definition” or “360-degree” to add precision.

Prompt Dictionary

To enhance prompt creation, consider using the following descriptive words and categories:

Lens:

  • The camera is stationary

  • The camera follows the subject moving

  • The camera zooms out

  • The camera zooms in

  • Handheld device filming

  • The camera rotates around the subject

Shot Type:

  • Close-up

  • Maintaining a Close Shot

  • Positioned at a Long Shot

  • Positioned at a higher angle

  • Positioned at a Low Angle

  • Capture the subject’s front view

  • From a drone’s perspective

  • Shallow Depth of Field

Light and Shadow (Multiple Choice):

  • Sunlight

  • Lighting

  • Soft light

  • Neon light

  • Warm light

  • Nature light

  • Candlelight

  • City night lights

Atmosphere (Multiple Choice):

  • Peaceful

  • Mysterious

  • Heartwarming

  • Vivid

  • Colorful

Frame (Multiple Choice):

  • Rich details

  • Simple background

Prompting Guides by Model

Minimax Live

  • Strengths: Real-time adaptability, ideal for live or interactive scenarios.

  • Prompting Differences:

    • Highlight dynamic, action-heavy scenes.

    • Keep instructions concise for real-time rendering.

    • Example: “A live concert at night, with colorful spotlights moving across the cheering crowd. Camera: handheld, zooming in on the lead singer."

Minimax

  • Strengths: Versatility for creative storytelling, suited for narrative and experimental visuals.

  • Prompting Differences:

    • Focus on storytelling elements and transitions.

    • Include narrative cues like “fades” or “scene transitions.”

    • Example: “A traveler walking through a stormy desert, transitioning to a lush green valley as the storm clears. Style: cinematic. Camera: wide-angle, pan up."

Kling 1.5 Pro

  • Strengths: High-quality animation-like visuals, vibrant colors, and adaptability to fantastical settings.

  • Prompting Differences:

    • Emphasize imaginative and vibrant details.

    • Use bold descriptors for colors and fantastical elements.

    • Example: “A magical city floating in the clouds, with glowing spires and vibrant rainbow-colored energy fields. Camera: aerial shot, zooming out."

Hunyuan

  • Strengths: Advanced temporal consistency, realistic transitions, and nuanced camera movement controls.

  • Prompting Differences:

    • Focus on detailed scene descriptions with specific transitions.

    • Use metadata to guide camera movement and lighting.

    • Example: “A quiet forest at dawn, the camera slowly pans up to reveal the sun breaking through the trees. Style: cinematic, soft lighting.”

Examples of Basic vs. Good Prompts

Game Characters

  • Basic Prompt: "A warrior with a sword."

  • Good Prompt: "A strong, armored warrior standing on a rocky cliff, holding a glowing sword with intricate runes. Style: heroic fantasy. Atmosphere: epic. Camera: low-angle, medium shot, with soft golden light from the setting sun.."

Game Backgrounds

  • Basic Prompt: "A forest with trees."

  • Good Prompt: "A dense, enchanted forest with towering, ancient trees. Wind blowing, shaking the leaves of the trees, butterflies flying in the distance. Style: fantasy, mystical. Camera: wide-angle, zooming in shot. Atmosphere: serene and magical."

Game Assets: Gold Coin

  • Basic Prompt: "A gold coin."

  • Good Prompt: "A shiny gold coin with intricate engravings of runic symbols on its surface. Style: medieval fantasy. Camera: close-up, The camera zooms out to reveal a wooden tabletop with scattered ancient scrolls."

Related Articles
Prompting Best Practices
How to generate Video on Layer
How to use prompt Prefix + Suffix in Layer
How to use the Prompt Genie in Layer
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