Genjutsu reference images: the complete guide

What reference images do in Genjutsu

A reference image is not a style filter. It is the visual definition of what should replace the part of the source clip you are recasting. The source clip supplies motion, camera and timing; the references supply the new character, outfit, product or place.

A project accepts up to 40 reference images. That is enough for a small cast, a wardrobe and a location - but only if each image has a clear job. Ten near-identical photos are worse than three deliberate ones.

A simple reference budget

• Character: 3-6 images. One full body, one face close-up, one outfit detail; add profile and back views for complex costumes.
• Outfit: 2-4 images. One worn full-body shot, one flat lay or hanger shot, one close-up of the texture or logo.
• Product: 2-4 images. Front, back or side, plus a close-up where any label is legible.
• Location: 2-4 images. A wide establishing shot, a mid shot of the main surface and one detail that fixes the material or lighting.
• Save the rest of the budget for a second character or a backup angle. You do not need to fill all 40 slots.

Character references that keep an identity

• Use the same person, the same hairstyle and the same outfit across the set. If the references disagree, the render will average them.
• Shoot or choose a neutral pose. A reference with crossed arms or a dramatic angle can leak that pose into the output.
• Use even, soft light. Hard shadows and colour casts make skin tone and fabric harder to reproduce.
• Do not use a group photo as the only reference for one person. Crop the person out or choose a solo image.
• Keep faces sharp at the eyes. A blurry close-up is not a useful close-up.

Product and outfit references that survive motion

• Show the item from more than one side. A single front view cannot explain what the back looks like when the performer turns.
• Keep colours consistent. Mixed white balance between photos is one of the most common reasons a product changes shade.
• Include a worn or in-hand shot when the product will appear in a performance; it tells the model the real scale.
• For clothing, include one detail of the collar, cuff or fastening. That is where identity often breaks in a recast.
• Remove clutter from the background of product photos. A busy surface gives the model extra objects to invent.

Location references that hold the scene together

• Use one wide shot to establish the space and one mid shot for the surface the subject touches.
• Keep time of day and weather consistent across the set. A sunny wide shot next to a night close-up produces a confused blend.
• Avoid crowds and moving vehicles unless you want them rebuilt too. They are extra variables, not atmosphere.
• Choose images with a clear light direction. The recast has to fit the source clip's lighting, not fight it.
• If the location has text on signs, either accept that it may change or choose a cleaner angle.

Technical quality checklist

• Sharp focus on the subject; no motion blur or compression smearing.
• Enough resolution to see the face, texture and edges when the image is enlarged.
• Even lighting with no strong colour filter. A moody photo can still work, but it will push the mood into the result.
• No watermarks, captions, stickers, borders or collage panels. Crop them out before uploading.
• One subject or one object per image. Reference images are not mood boards.

Reference hygiene for a series

• Keep one master set per character, product or location. Reuse it across every clip in the series.
• Keep the same upload order. If you describe a character as set A in one render, keep that set and order in the next.
• Do not silently swap a reference between shots. A new face, a new logo or a new wall texture will read as a continuity error.
• Keep the source files in a folder outside the tool so you can rebuild the exact set later.

Prompt recipes that name the references

The five-step workflow

• 1. Sign in with Google - the first render is free.
• 2. Choose the source clip and decide exactly which element you are replacing.
• 3. Build a reference set only for that element: character, outfit, product or location.
• 4. Upload the set in a deliberate order, write one change and run the render.
• 5. Inspect the face, edges, hands and any text, then change one reference or instruction at a time.

The mistakes that cause drift

• Too many references with conflicting faces, outfits or light temperatures.
• A group photo used as a character reference.
• A screenshot with a UI, caption or watermark still attached.
• A reference that shows a different pose from the source clip and overpowers the motion.
• Changing several variables at once, then not knowing which one caused the failure.

Rights and privacy

Only upload images you have the right to use. A photo of a person is personal data and needs their consent, especially if you are replacing a performer's appearance. Product images should be yours or licensed; do not lift a competitor's catalogue shot. The copyright guide covers the commercial side.