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AI Animate: How to Turn a Static Image into Living Visuals

Transform a static image into cinematic motion inside your flipbook

Table of Contents

Overview

AI Animate allows you to transform a static image inside your flipbook into an auto-playing cinematic video, directly in Design Studio. You don’t need video editing skills, external tools, or file exports.

With just a few clicks, your selected image is converted into a dynamic video layer that enhances the visual impact of your page. The animated version behaves like a video element and plays automatically when your audience views the flipbook. 

Key benefits

  • No external tools required: Animate images directly inside Design Studio

  • Cinematic motion effect: Turn static visuals into dynamic video elements

  • Non-destructive workflow: Keep the original image intact underneath

  • Instant publishing-ready result: Animation plays automatically in Preview and live flipbooks

Requirements

Plan: Available on Starter, Professional, Business, and Enterprise plans (not available on Free plan)
AI credits: 50 AI credits per animation

Image compatibility notes:
 AI Animate generates videos based on the original uploaded image file. The following are not supported or not preserved in the generated animation:

  • Images placed inside masks
  • Images flipped horizontally (the generated video will use the original orientation)
  • Images with filters applied (the animation will be generated from the original, unfiltered image)

How to animate an image

1. Select the image

Open your flipbook in Design Studio.

Select an image that you either:

  • Uploaded yourself

  • Added from our stock photography library

  • Added from an editable template

Make sure:

  • The image element is actively selected
  • The image is not placed inside a mask (AI Animate does not support masked images)

2. Make your image animated 

In the top toolbar, next to the Action button, click AI Animate.

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Once clicked:

  • The image enters processing mode

  • A cinematic version is generated

  • 50 AI credits are deducted

Each generated animation:

  • Is 8 seconds long
  • Is added as a video layer on top of your original image
  • Is saved in your Uploads section
  • Can be downloaded individually (no watermark)

Note: Each animation generation uses 50 AI credits. Make sure you have enough credits before starting. If you need more, contact us via live chat.

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3. Preview your animation

Click Preview in the top-right corner to see how the animation appears in your flipbook.

Important:

  • The animation auto-plays in Preview and published flipbooks

  • The animation does not auto-play inside Design Studio (this is expected behavior)

4. Customize your animated video

Once generated, the animated image becomes a video element. 

Select it and use the Edit panel to adjust video-specific settings:

  • Autoplay

  • Loop

  • Mute

  • Show controls

  • Fill container

  • Set thumbnail

Your original static image remains available in the Layers panel as a hidden element underneath the video.

This ensures a non-destructive workflow so you can remove the animation at any time.

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Content and usage guidelines

To ensure responsible use of AI Animate:

  • Do not use images of famous public figures without appropriate rights or permissions

  • Avoid generating videos featuring minors for commercial purposes

  • Make sure you have the legal right to use any image you upload and animate

You are responsible for ensuring your content complies with applicable laws and usage rights.

Tips for best results

For high-quality, realistic animations:

  • Use high-quality, clear images
  • Avoid overly crowded visuals
  • Choose visuals with depth or a clear focal point
  • Test the animation in Preview mode
  • Compare static and animated versions to evaluate impact

Troubleshooting

1. The animation button is not clickable

  • Make sure you selected an image element

  • Confirm the image is not a built-in stock photo

  • Check that you are inside Design Studio

2. Not enough AI credits

3. Animation does not play in Design Studio

  • This is expected behavior

  • Use Preview mode to see the animation auto-play

4. AI Animate does not work on my image

If the AI Animate button is unavailable or not working:

  • Make sure the selected element is a standard image

  • Images placed inside masks are not supported

  • If needed, remove the mask and try again

  • Confirm you are inside Design Studio

  • Check that your plan supports AI Animate

5. The generated video looks different from my edited image

AI Animate generates animations using the original image file.

If you:

  • Flipped the image horizontally
  • Applied filters
  • Used other visual adjustments inside Design Studio

These changes will not be reflected in the generated animation. The video will appear in the image’s original orientation and without filters.

To ensure the animation matches your intended look, edit the image externally before uploading it, then apply AI Animate.

Next steps

Useful resources

Learn how to enhance your flipbooks even further with interactive and video elements:

Need expert support?

Our team is here for you. Contact our team experts or message us via the in-app chat for personalized assistance.