Previs (previsualization) is a rough 3D version of a scene made before the real shoot: grey figures, simple props and cameras that show who stands where, how everyone moves and how each shot is framed and cut. On PopNow you describe the scene in one sentence and the previs plays right away in your browser, with blocking, camera moves and cuts. Click any figure, prop or camera and say what to change. When it looks right, Make it real turns the previs into a real video with your cast. Blocking out is free; you only pay when the video renders.
Is Previs free?
Building and watching a previs is free and nothing renders on our servers: the 3D runs in your browser. Members turn sentences into previs for free; for others each step of the AI costs a few credits. Make it real costs credits, and the button shows the price first.
Which models make it real?
The previs is used as a reference video for a reference-to-video model. Draft, Standard and Best pick the models that followed our previs tests best, and you can choose another model yourself.
Does the video really follow the previs?
It follows the staging, the camera and the cuts closely, but not frame by frame. We test every default model on the same set of previs scenes and publish which one follows best.
Can I change just one person or one camera?
Yes. Click it, then type what should change. Only the selected things change; everything else stays as it is. You can keep or discard every change, and Undo brings back the previous version.
Can I use my own characters?
Yes. Give any figure a photo from your device or your assets. Only upload photos you have the right to use.
Where are my scenes saved?
Scenes save automatically on your device and, when you're signed in, to your account.
What is the difference between a storyboard and previs?
A storyboard is a set of still frames that shows the shots. Previs is a moving mock-up with timing and camera moves. This tool does both: a shot list with thumbnails, and a playable grey version of each shot.
Can I make a storyboard for a client pitch without rendering anything?
Yes. Blocking, posing, keyframing and recording previs cost nothing, and the shot list with thumbnails can be shown as it is. Render only the shots that need to look finished.
How long can one shot be?
Up to 15 seconds per shot. Shots of three to eight seconds follow the mock-up most closely, so long actions work better split across two or three shots.
Can I keep the same character across shots?
Yes. Give the figure a photo or a description once in Who's who, and it is sent with every shot that names it. Using the same look setting for the whole film also keeps the style consistent.
Which aspect ratios can I storyboard for?
Each camera has its own aspect ratio, so you can block a vertical 9:16 version for social video and a 16:9 version for YouTube in the same scene and render both.
3D engine: three.js (MIT). Motion library adapted from Blockout by Sam Wasserman (wassermanproductions.com), Apache License 2.0.
