How to Use Seedance 2.0: The Complete Guide for Beginners and Pros

What is Seedance 2.0?

Seedance 2.0 is an AI video generation model built by ByteDance — the company behind TikTok and Douyin. Released in February 2026 through ByteDance's Dreamina AI platform, it quickly became the most talked-about AI video tool on the internet.

The previous generation of AI video tools worked like slot machines: you typed a text prompt, hit generate, and prayed the output matched what you had in mind. If it didn't — and it often didn't — you'd rewrite the prompt and try again. And again. And again.

Seedance 2.0 changes that entirely. Instead of just accepting text, it lets you upload reference images, video clips, and audio files — all at the same time. You can show the model what your character should look like, how they should move, and what the soundtrack should sound like. Then you describe the rest in plain words. The model figures out how to weave everything into a single, polished video.

The result? Videos that look like they were shot by a professional crew — with synchronized sound, smart camera movements, and characters that stay consistent across every frame. All generated in under 90 seconds.

What Makes Seedance 2.0 Different

• Multi-modal input: Upload up to 9 images, 3 videos, and 3 audio files alongside your text prompt — 12 reference assets total
• Native audio-video sync: Sound effects, dialogue, and music are generated together with the video — not added separately
• Auto storyboarding: Describe a story and the model plans shot types, transitions, and camera movements on its own
• Character consistency: Faces, outfits, and visual identity stay locked across multiple shots
• @ Reference system: Direct the AI like a film crew using @Image1, @Video1, @Audio1 tags
• 1080p–2K output: High-resolution, no-watermark videos up to 15 seconds per generation

Want to see what these features look like in action? Check out the video showcase on our homepage.

How to Access Seedance 2.0

Since its launch, Seedance 2.0 has been available through ByteDance's official platforms — primarily Dreamina (international) and Doubao (China). However, these platforms have regional restrictions and are primarily Chinese-language tools, which makes access frustrating for users in North America, Europe, and other regions.

The easiest way to use Seedance 2.0 without regional restrictions is through third-party platforms that have integrated the model via API. These platforms offer English-language interfaces, familiar payment methods, and often bundle multiple AI video models in one place.

The @ Reference System Explained

This is the most powerful — and most misunderstood — feature of Seedance 2.0. Once you upload files, the model assigns them tags like @Image1, @Video1, @Audio1. You then use these tags in your text prompt to tell the model exactly how to use each asset.

How It Works

Think of it like giving directions to a film crew:

• @Image1 — "This is your actor. Use this face and outfit."
• @Video1 — "Copy the camera movement and choreography from this clip."
• @Audio1 — "Use this as the background music. Match the rhythm."

Combination Ideas

• Image + Text: Upload a character photo, describe the action and scene → model animates your character
• Image + Video: Upload a character photo + a dance/action reference video → your character performs that exact motion
• Image + Video + Audio: Character photo + motion reference + soundtrack → fully produced video with matching audio
• Video extension: Upload an existing video + describe what happens next → seamless continuation

Prompt Engineering Guide

Good prompts follow a consistent structure. Here's the formula that works best with Seedance 2.0:

Each Element Explained

• Subject: Who or what is in the video? Be specific about age, appearance, clothing.
• Action: One clear action per shot. "Walking slowly" not "walking then running then jumping."
• Scene: Where is this happening? Include time of day, weather, environment details.
• Lighting: Warm golden hour? Cool blue tones? Dramatic side lighting?
• Camera: Close-up, medium shot, or wide? Tracking, static, orbiting?
• Style: Cinematic, documentary, anime, stop-motion? Include "4K" or "high detail."
• Constraints: What you DON'T want. "Face stable without deformation, natural movements."

10+ Ready-to-Use Prompt Templates

Copy these directly into Seedance 2.0 and adjust to your needs.

1. Cinematic Character Shot

2. Product Commercial

3. Dance / Motion Reference

4. Comic / Manga to Video

5. One-Take Tracking Shot

6. Wuxia / Action Scene

7. E-Commerce Product Showcase

8. Social Media Vertical Video

9. Video Extension

10. Nature / Landscape

Seedance 2.0 vs Sora 2 vs Kling 3.0

Three AI video models dominate the conversation in 2026. Here's an honest comparison to help you pick the right one for your needs. You can also see a more detailed side-by-side comparison table on our homepage.

When to Choose Seedance 2.0

Pick Seedance 2.0 when you want precise control over the output. If you have reference images, clips, or audio that define the look and feel you're going for, Seedance is the only model that lets you feed all of that in at once. It's ideal for branded content, product ads, social media clips, and any project where consistency matters more than perfect physics simulation.

When to Choose Sora 2

Pick Sora 2 when physical realism is your top priority. If you need a basketball to bounce naturally, water to flow realistically, or fabric to drape correctly, Sora 2's physics engine is still the gold standard. It also supports longer videos (up to 25 seconds) which is better for narrative storytelling.

When to Choose Kling 3.0

Pick Kling 3.0 when you need smooth human motion on a budget. Kling handles complex body movements — martial arts, dancing, running — without generating distorted limbs. It tends to be the most cost-effective option for high-volume short-form content.

Specs & Known Limitations

Technical Specifications

• Resolution: 1080p standard, up to 2K (2160p) on pro plans
• Duration: 4–15 seconds per generation
• Frame rate: 24–60 fps
• Aspect ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, and custom
• Input limits: Up to 9 images + 3 videos (15s total) + 3 audio clips + text
• Generation speed: ~30–90 seconds for most clips
• Output: No watermarks, downloadable in HD

Known Limitations

Seedance 2.0 is impressive, but it's not perfect. Here's what to expect:

• Max 15 seconds: Each generation caps at 15 seconds. For longer content, you'll need to extend in multiple passes.
• Occasional AI look: Some outputs can feel slightly over-sharpened or show a subtle disconnect between characters and backgrounds.
• Hand/finger issues: Complex hand movements can sometimes produce distortions — a common issue across all AI video models.
• Text rendering: In-video text (like signs or subtitles) can be inaccurate. Add "Generate video without subtitles" to your prompt if you don't want text.
• Real person restrictions: Uploading real person photos as character references requires identity verification on some platforms.
• Complex multi-person scenes: More than 2 characters in a scene can cause identity confusion.
• No negative prompts: You can't say "no blur." Instead, use positive constraints like "sharp and clear."

Seedance 2.0 API

The Seedance 2.0 API is expected to launch very soon through ByteDance's VolcEngine platform. For developers and businesses, this will unlock programmatic access to all of Seedance 2.0's capabilities — text-to-video, image-to-video, video extension, and multi-modal reference generation.

Some third-party platforms are already preparing integrations. If you want to be among the first to use Seedance 2.0 via API — whether for your own app, for batch content generation, or for integration into your creative workflow — sign up now and we'll notify you the moment it's available.

Frequently Asked Questions