> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flatkey.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate a Seedance video from a reference

> Create a reusable reference asset, use it with Seedance 2.0, and download the finished video in four steps.

Use a public image or video as a reference for your Seedance video. You only need:

* Your Flatkey API Key
* A public HTTPS link to the image or video

This page uses a video as the example. Replace `YOUR_FLATKEY_API_KEY` with the API Key from your Flatkey console.

## 1. Create the reference asset

Paste your public video link into `url` and run:

```bash theme={"dark"}
curl https://router.flatkey.ai/v1/assets \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_FLATKEY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://example.com/reference.mp4",
    "asset_type": "Video"
  }'
```

The response contains an `id` that starts with `ast_`:

```json theme={"dark"}
{
  "id": "ast_1234567890abcdefABCDEF1234567890",
  "status": "Processing"
}
```

Copy this `id`. You will use it in the next steps.

## 2. Wait until the asset is ready

Put your asset ID at the end of the URL and run:

```bash theme={"dark"}
curl https://router.flatkey.ai/v1/assets/ast_1234567890abcdefABCDEF1234567890 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_FLATKEY_API_KEY"
```

When you see `"status": "Active"`, continue to step 3. If you still see `Processing`, wait a few seconds and run the same command again.

## 3. Create the Seedance video

Add `asset://` before the asset ID, describe the video you want, and run:

```bash theme={"dark"}
curl https://router.flatkey.ai/v1/videos \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_FLATKEY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "seedance-2.0",
    "content": [
      {
        "type": "video_url",
        "video_url": {
          "url": "asset://ast_1234567890abcdefABCDEF1234567890"
        },
        "role": "reference_video"
      },
      {
        "type": "text",
        "text": "Create a cinematic product video with smooth camera movement"
      }
    ],
    "resolution": "1080p",
    "ratio": "16:9",
    "duration": 5
  }'
```

Copy the returned video task `id`, which starts with `task_`.

<Tip>
  Using an image instead? In step 1, change `Video` to `Image`. In step 3, change both `video_url` values to `image_url`, and change `reference_video` to `reference_image`.
</Tip>

## 4. Get the finished video

Put your video task ID at the end of the URL and run:

```bash theme={"dark"}
curl https://router.flatkey.ai/v1/videos/task_1234567890abcdefABCDEF1234567890 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_FLATKEY_API_KEY"
```

If the status is `queued` or `in_progress`, wait a few seconds and run the same command again. When the status is `completed`, open the link in `metadata.url` to download the video.

## If something does not work

* Make sure the reference link starts with `https://` and opens without signing in.
* Wait until the asset status is `Active` before creating the video.
* Make sure you copied the full `ast_...` or `task_...` ID.
* Use the same Flatkey API Key for every step.

Need every available option? See the [Seedance API Reference](/api-reference/seedance-video-generation).