This single file contains everything you need to get started and to master CinemaFlow AI. It is formatted as plain text for easy copying or printing.
• First‑time users who want to create a video in minutes.
• Experienced editors who need shortcut lists, export specs, and prompt engineering techniques.
QUICK‑START OVERVIEW (NEW USERS)
Step 1 – Create an Account
Go to cinemaflow.ai and click Sign Up.
Verify your email to reach your Home dashboard.
Step 2 – Craft a Prompt
• Use up to 400 characters to describe what you want to see.
• Simple formula: Subject + Action + Style + Lighting.
• Example: Cute corgi wearing sunglasses skateboarding down Venice Beach boardwalk, 1980s VHS aesthetic, golden hour lighting.
Step 3 – Pick a Theme
• Choose one of 20+ cinematic themes (Vintage Film, Neo‑Noir, Anime, etc.).
• NOTE: CinemaFlow currently renders only landscape (16:9) videos.
Step 4 – Generate & Export
• Click Generate. Typical 10‑second HD clip takes ~2‑5 minutes.
• When finished, click Export → MP4 → Download. Optionally toggle Publish to share it in the Community feed.
Minimum
• Browser: Chrome 117+, Edge 117+, Firefox 118+, Safari 16+
• CPU: 4‑core 64‑bit
• RAM: 8 GB
• Bandwidth: 10 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up
Recommended
• CPU: 8‑core ≥3 GHz or Apple M‑series
• RAM: 16 GB+
• Bandwidth: 50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up
• Avatar menu (top right): change display name, switch light/dark mode, enable 2FA.
• Manage Plan: view usage, upgrade or downgrade. Billing changes take effect immediately and are prorated.
Prompt Fundamentals
• Focus on nouns and vivid adjectives.
• One idea per sentence for clarity.
• Avoid camera jargon unless desired; the AI will choose framing automatically.
Themes & Styles
• Themes apply LUT‑free colour grading and animation presets automatically.
• Switching themes before rendering does not use extra credits.
Render Queue & Credits
• Starter: 1 credit per minute SD / 0.5 credit per minute HD.
• Professional: 1 credit per minute HD / 0.25 credit per minute 4K.
• Enterprise: priority queue with fair‑use limits.
Timeline Navigation
– Space: play / pause
– S: split clip at play‑head
– Mouse‑wheel: zoom timeline
Adding Text, Music, Transitions
– Drag items from the right panel onto the timeline.
– Double‑click a layer to edit its properties.
Exporting & Sharing
– SD, HD, and 4K resolutions available depending on plan.
– File format: MP4 (H.264 or H.265 automatically selected).
AI CINEMATOGRAPHER
• Automatically pans, zooms, and reframes to accentuate subjects.
• Can be toggled per clip.
LAYER‑BASED COMPOSITING
• Up to 10 video layers and 5 audio layers per project (double for Enterprise).
• Blend modes: Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Linear Dodge.
LIBRARY, COMMUNITY, AND COLLABORATION
Library Management
• New Folder button keeps projects organised.
• Activity panel shows renders, edits, and exports.
Community Feed
• Browse, like, download, and comment on public videos.
• Remix copies a public prompt into your account for quick experimentation.
Team Collaboration (Enterprise and Team add‑on)
• Roles: Owner, Editor, Viewer.
• Comment threads on timeline markers for feedback.
• REST endpoint: POST /v1/videos – accepts JSON payload (prompt, theme, resolution).
• API keys are created in Settings ► Developer API once your account is upgraded to Enterprise.
• Webhooks available for Render Complete events.
TROUBLESHOOTING & FAQS
• "Render failed" – check upload format, lower resolution, and retry.
• "GPU decode failed" – disable hardware acceleration in browser settings or update GPU drivers.
• Export stuck at 99 % – keep the tab focused; browser may have suspended background tasks.
• Audio out‑of‑sync at 60 fps – re‑export at 30 fps or toggle Resync Audio.
Play / Pause Space | Space
Split Clip S | S
Nudge 1 frame ⌥←/→ | Alt←/→
Undo / Redo ⌘Z / ⇧⌘Z | CtrlZ / CtrlY
Toggle AI Cinematographer ⌥C | AltC
Toggle Snapping N | N
• GDPR and CCPA compliant.
• Data residency: US‑East by default, EU‑West available for Enterprise upon request.
• Your private material is not used to train public models.
A. Core Components of an Effective Prompt
Subject: The main thing or character on screen.
Action: What the subject is doing.
Context / Setting: Location, era, atmosphere.
Style / Tone: Choose descriptors like "cinematic", "hand‑drawn animation", "silent‑film".
Lighting / Mood: Golden hour, neon glow, moonlit, studio spotlight, etc.
B. Prompt Engineering Pyramid (From Simple to Complex)
• Foundation – Single idea, common language. "Dog running on a beach at sunset."
• Detail Layer – Add style adjectives. "Cinematic shot of a golden retriever sprinting along wet sand at sunset."
• Dynamic Layer – Insert action nuance. "Slow‑motion tracking shot of a golden retriever splashing through shallow surf at sunset, lens flare visible."
• Emotional Layer – Evoke feeling. "Heart‑warming slow‑motion tracking shot of a joyful golden retriever splashing through shallow surf at sunset with soft lens flare."
• Technical Layer – Only if desired; affect frame rate or field‑of‑view. "120 fps heart‑warming slow‑motion tracking shot… 50 mm depth‑of‑field."
C. Best Practices
• Keep sentences short; separate different scenes with semicolons.
• Use vivid adjectives but avoid contradictory terms ("bright noir" is unclear).
• Place the most important concept first; the model weighs early tokens heavier.
• Avoid brand names or copyrighted characters unless you have usage rights.
• Test variations by changing only one element at a time to understand impact.
D. Common Pitfalls and Fixes
• TOO VAGUE: "Make a cool video." –> ADD subject, action, and mood.
• TOO BUSY: 10+ adjectives stacked together often clash. Focus on 3‑4 strong descriptors.
• CONFLICTING MOODS: "Cheerful dystopian" can confuse output.
Majestic slow‑motion aerial shot of a lone hot‑air balloon drifting above snow‑capped mountains at sunrise, pastel colour palette, gentle orchestral score.
1980s retro‑futuristic city street scene at night with glowing neon billboards reflecting on rain‑soaked asphalt, synthwave ambience, slight camera tilt.
Close‑up cinematic view of a barista pouring silky latte art in a cozy brick‑walled café, warm tungsten lighting, shallow depth‑of‑field.
Epic drone fly‑through of an ancient stone fortress perched on a storm‑battered cliffside, dramatic clouds rolling overhead, thunder rumbling in the distance.
Playful hand‑drawn animation of a mischievous cat chasing butterflies through a vibrant flower meadow, bright midday sunlight, whimsical soundtrack.
Email: support@cinemaflow.ai
Email Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 am – 6 pm ET
© 2025 CinemaFlow AI. All rights reserved.