June 15, 2026

When to generate and when to upload your own materials

Choose between generating from scratch, uploading exact source material, or combining both paths in one project.

Generating is best for exploration. Uploading is best when a specific person, product, frame, or recording must remain exact.

Start from scratch when you need ideas, styles, atmospheres, or options. Upload your own material when precision matters.

Most real projects combine both: uploaded product shots or portraits plus generated backgrounds, scene extensions, voice, music, or edits.

On this page

Simple decision rule

Generate: Use when you need visual direction, variants, atmosphere, or a fresh asset.
Upload: Use when identity, product shape, brand details, or existing footage matters.
Combine: Use uploaded anchors and generated variations inside the same project.

A decision about what must be exact and what can be generated freely.

Write down what cannot change: face, product, logo, location, voice, or footage.

Use AI for backgrounds, style tests, scene variants, and supporting visuals.

Bring in the source materials that must remain recognizable.

Connect uploaded materials to new generations as references or start frames.

Keep strong generated variations in the library for future projects.

Is uploading always more accurate?

It is more accurate for identity and source material, but generated assets may be better for exploration.

Can one project use both?

Yes. That is often the strongest workflow.

Result

You spend tokens on the parts that benefit from AI instead of forcing every asset through the same path.