How Do I Create Cinematic Photo Effects and Transformations in Dream Machine?

Category: Advanced Features
Tags: cinematic effects, photo transformation, KeyFrame, Start Frame, Ray3, Draft Mode, liquid effects, dramatic effects, physics simulation

Introduction

Ray3's KeyFrame feature with Start Frame capabilities allows you to upload any photo and create cinematic transformations with professional-quality effects. Whether you want liquid metal flowing over subjects, magical energy emanating from portraits, fire transformations, or dramatic environmental changes, this workflow delivers stunning visual narratives. This guide covers the complete transformation workflow from initial setup through final high-quality output, with advanced prompting techniques for achieving convincing material effects and motion.

Complete Transformation Workflow

Step 1: Access Dream Machine and Navigate to IDEAS

Navigate to dream-machine.lumalabs.ai and log into your account. Select "IDEAS" from the left sidebar menu. The main workspace will open with the text box area at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: Configure Ray3 Settings

Click the pop-up menu in the bottom right corner of the text box. Select "RAY 3" (instead of Ray1.6 or Ray2). Choose your quality settings for optimal workflow.

Step 3: Select KeyFrames Mode

Click "KEYFRAMES" to enable precise frame control. This mode allows you to use your uploaded photo as the exact starting point for your transformation.

Step 4: Upload Your Source Photo

Click the small box on the top left labeled "START FRAME". Upload the photo you want to transform into a video. Ensure your photo is clear and well-composed for best results.

Step 5: Optimize Settings for Draft Testing

Configure your initial test settings:

• Select Ray3 model (if not already selected)

• Choose SDR (you can upgrade to HDR later)

• Set duration to 5 seconds

• Most importantly: Enable "DRAFT" mode using the small switch on the left side of the pop-up menu

Draft Mode reduces credit usage and provides rapid preview generation—typically completing in 10-20 seconds.

Step 6: Create Your Transformation Prompt

Enter your dramatic effect description in the text box. Use specific directional language and material properties for best results.

Example prompts:

• Liquid Metal Effect: "liquid chrome poured from above, falls onto the visible side of her face, and runs down her face while the lady slowly turns to look at the camera"

• Fire Transformation: "flames emerge from behind the subject, flowing around their silhouette while they remain perfectly still"

• Magical Energy: "golden energy particles swirl upward from the ground, surrounding and illuminating the person with mystical light"
  
  

Step 7: Generate Your Draft

Click the "GENERATE" button to start the creation process. Draft Mode will complete in 10-20 seconds. Review the result to see if the effect matches your vision. If not satisfied, adjust your prompt and regenerate in Draft Mode until you achieve the desired effect.

Step 8: Upgrade to Final Quality

If satisfied with the Draft result, upgrade to high-quality output:

• On the IDEAS page, select the little arrow down button beside the "HiFi" button

• Select your desired settings in the pop-up menu: HDR, resolution upgrades, or upscaling

• Click "CREATE" or "HiFi" for the enhanced version (can take 10+ minutes or more, depending on queuing)

To download: Select the video itself then select the Download button in the top right, or on the IDEAS page, hover your mouse over the video near the bottom right corner, select the 3 dots, then select the Download or Download HDR button.

Advanced Prompting Techniques

For Flowing Effects: Use Directional Language

Ray3's physics understanding responds exceptionally well to directional language that establishes how materials move:

• "pours from above" - establishes gravity and direction

• "cascades down" - indicates flowing movement

• "drips onto" - suggests controlled liquid behavior

• "spills across" - shows spreading motion

• "flows down from overhead" - combines direction with motion type
  
  

Material Properties to Specify

Being specific about material characteristics helps Ray3 simulate realistic physics:

Viscosity:

• "thick honey"

• "liquid mercury"

• "flowing paint"

Transparency:

• "crystal clear"

• "translucent"

• "opaque"

Texture:

• "smooth chrome"

• "rough concrete"

• "flowing silk"
  
  

Motion Timing

Control the speed and intensity of transformations:

• "slowly cascades" - gradual effect development

• "rapidly pours" - quick transformation

• "gently flows" - subtle, elegant movement
  
  

Example Transformation Prompts

Paint Effect: "thick colorful paint pours from above, covering half the subject's face while they smile calmly"

Water Transformation: "crystal clear water flows down from overhead, creating ripples and reflections as it moves across the subject"

Smoke Effect: "dense silver smoke billows up from below, swirling around the person as they turn their head slowly"

Energy Particles: "glowing blue energy particles emerge from the ground, spiraling upward around the subject with mystical light trails"

Liquid Gold: "molten gold slowly pours from above, flowing smoothly down one side of the face while maintaining metallic reflections"

PRO TIP: Always Start with Draft Mode

Always start with Draft Mode for experimentation—it's 20x faster and uses fewer credits. Use descriptive motion words like "pours from above," "cascades down," or "flows across" for the most convincing flowing effects. Ray3's physics simulation excels at understanding directional movement and material properties. Only upgrade to Hi-Fi once you've perfected your effect in Draft Mode.

Troubleshooting

• What happens if my effect doesn't flow naturally or looks unrealistic?: You need more specific directional language and material properties in your prompt. Instead of "liquid covers the face," use "liquid chrome pours from above, cascades smoothly down the left side of the face." Ray3's physics engine needs clear direction and material characteristics to simulate realistic behavior.

• Why does my transformation look different than expected?: AI interpretation can vary, especially with vague prompts. Add more specific details about material type (viscosity, transparency, texture), motion direction (from above, from below, across), and timing (slowly, rapidly, gently). The more precise your description, the closer the result will match your vision.

• My Draft Mode result is perfect but Hi-Fi looks different...: Minor variations between Draft and Hi-Fi are normal as Hi-Fi uses more computational resources and may interpret some details differently. If the Draft captures your vision, the Hi-Fi version should maintain the core effect while adding quality. If significantly different, regenerate in Hi-Fi with slightly adjusted prompts.

• The effect happens too quickly or too slowly...: Add timing descriptors to your prompt: "slowly pours," "rapidly cascades," "gently flows," or "gradually emerges." These timing words help Ray3 pace the transformation appropriately within the 5-second duration.

• My subject's face or features change during the transformation...: Ensure you include instructions about what should remain constant: "while the lady slowly turns to look at the camera," "while they remain perfectly still," or "the subject stays motionless as the effect surrounds them." This helps maintain character consistency during dramatic effects.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What types of photos work best for cinematic transformations? Clear, well-composed photos with good lighting and sharp focus work best. Portraits with neutral backgrounds allow effects to stand out. High-resolution images produce better quality transformations, and photos with the subject clearly defined from the background allow effects to interact more convincingly with the subject.

2. How long does Draft Mode take compared to Hi-Fi? Draft Mode typically completes in 10-20 seconds, making it approximately 20x faster than Hi-Fi, which can take 10+ minutes or more depending on queue length. Always use Draft Mode for testing and experimentation before committing to Hi-Fi generation.

3. Can I combine multiple effects in one transformation? Yes, you can describe multiple simultaneous effects in your prompt, such as "liquid chrome pours from above while golden particles swirl upward from below, meeting in the middle around the subject's face." However, complex multi-effect prompts may require more experimentation to achieve desired results.

4. Should I use HDR for cinematic transformations? HDR enhances the visual impact of transformations, especially for effects involving light, reflections, metallic materials, or high-contrast elements like fire or glowing energy. Start with SDR in Draft Mode, then upgrade to HDR in Hi-Fi if your effect would benefit from enhanced lighting and color range.

5. What's the difference between Start Frame and regular KeyFrame? Start Frame is used within KeyFrame mode to upload and specify your exact starting photo. KeyFrame is the mode that allows precise frame control, while Start Frame is where you upload the specific image. You enable KeyFrame mode, then upload your photo as the Start Frame within that mode.

Related Articles

• [How Do I Turn a Photo into a Video in Dream Machine?]

Original Author: Chris Roebuck, Luma AI – Customer Support - Education
Original Creation Date: 29 Nov, 2025 at 8:54pm
Updated by: KB Conversion Team