Creation Engine Overview
Open GENERATE in Director Studio to use the Creation Engine. This replaces older separate tools (Image Lab, Video Generator, Character Generator, etc.) — all direct generation happens here.
Snap on Director Board can also generate media; the Creation Engine is the full GENERATE page when you want the canvas, command bar, and every control in one place.
Workspace layout
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Canvas (preview, results, fullscreen) [Assets][PS][FS] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Command bar: mode · model · settings · tools · prompt · Go │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Prompt Studio panel (right) Project assets (opt.) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘| Zone | What it is |
|---|---|
| Canvas | Preview, generation progress, latest results |
| Command bar | Prompt, generate, model, duration, references, tools |
| Prompt Studio | Right sidebar — prompt packs and chips |
| Project assets | Optional right sidebar — browse project library |
Canvas buttons (top of preview)
| Button | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Folder | Show or hide project assets sidebar |
| Columns | Show or hide Prompt Studio panel |
| Expand | Fullscreen Creation Engine |
Command bar (main controls)
Creation mode
Mode switch (video / image / audio icon) — changes creation method, available models, and Prompt Studio packs.
Model & output
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| AI model | Open model picker (rankings, cost, capabilities) |
| Model settings | Provider-specific options (resolution, steps, Director Controls on video models, etc.) |
| Duration | Clip length (video/audio when supported) |
| Output size / aspect | Dimensions and aspect ratio |
| Batch count | Number of results per run |
Prompt row
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cast & sets toggle | Show reference decks or cast/set film strip |
| Cast/set chips | Insert names into prompt ([character], [environment] placeholders) |
| Director Board | Return to chapter Snap chat (when handoff from a chapter) |
| Write Prompt | Snap writes a cinematic prompt into the bar |
| Generate | Start generation (shows estimated cost when available) |
| Example chips | One-click sample prompts below the bar |
Tool buttons (bar)
| Tool | Icon area | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Continue segment | Booster cluster | Extend direction into next segment — Continue Segment |
| Director Studio | Booster cluster | Pick chapters, cast, locations — Director Studio Picker |
| Prompt boosters | Toggle + edit | Extra quality phrase appended when on — Prompt Boosters |
| Consistency collage | Image mode | 2×2 angle sheet hint in prompt (image only) |
Cinematic language (video-friendly)
Five toolbar buttons open camera, lighting, composition, atmosphere, style pickers — merged into the provider prompt without replacing your text. See Cinematic Language.
Shot & chapter handoff
When you open from a shot or chapter:
- Prompt may prefill from the shot or script
- Generate Shot (or similar) labels the primary button
- Director Board button returns to that chapter’s plan chat
- Attach results to the shot after completion
Related guides
Legacy tools
Image Lab, Video Generator, Character Generator, Environment Generator, and separate audio pages are retired as separate apps. Use Creation Engine and switch creation mode instead.