How I Use SkyReels-A2 To Create Amazing AI Videos With Multiple Reference Objects

Posted on April 7, 2025 - Tutorials

I'm gonna tell you about this cool tool called SkyReels-A2. It's changed how I make videos.

Looking at the image above, you can see what makes it special - combining multiple reference objects into one video!

What Makes SkyReels-A2 Different From Other AI Video Tools?

SkyReels-A2 ain't just another video generator. It's way more clever than that.

The magic of this tool is "Compose Anything" - which means exactly what it says! I can take different pictures, objects, styles, and scenes, then blend them together into one video.

Look at them examples in the image. See how each video has multiple reference images on the side? That's the game-changer right here.

In the top left, there's a beach scene with a woman, but it's taking style cues from other images.

The middle one shows a lady with fantasy elements - combining a character with a magical door and nature setting.

This ain't just making videos from scratch. It's like being a video DJ - mixing and matching different visual elements!

When I first tried it, I was proper shocked. I could take:

  • A picture of myself
  • A beach image I liked
  • A sunset color palette
  • A walking motion reference

And boom! It made a video of me walking on that specific beach with that exact sunset feel!

The tech behind it is called "video diffusion transformers" which is fancy talk for "it understands how to blend different visual elements together naturally."

This is miles ahead of other tools that just make videos from text or a single image. SkyReels-A2 is actually understanding and combining multiple visual references at once!

How To Get Started With Multi-Reference Video Creation

Setting up SkyReels-A2 on your computer ain't too hard. I'll walk you through it.

First, grab the code from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/SkyworkAI/SkyReels-A2.git
cd SkyReels-A2

Set up your environment:

conda create -n skyreels-a2 python=3.10
conda activate skyreels-a2
pip install -r requirements.txt

Download the AI model:

huggingface-cli download Skywork/SkyReels-A2 --local-dir local_path --exclude "*.git*" "README.md" "docs"

Now for the exciting bit - preparing your reference images!

This is where SkyReels-A2 shines compared to other tools.

I usually create a folder with different references:

  • Main subject (person, animal, object)
  • Background scene or setting
  • Style references
  • Motion references

The system understands these different elements and combines them thoughtfully.

You can either use the command line:

python infer.py

Or the much friendlier interface:

python app.py

The interface lets you upload multiple reference images and control how much each influences the final video.

I had a bit of trouble first time round, mostly because my GPU wasn't powerful enough. You need a decent NVIDIA card to run this properly.

Creating Multi-Reference AI Videos With SkyReels-A2

Making videos with SkyReels-A2 is where the real magic happens. Let me show you my process.

The most important thing to understand is that this ain't just text-to-video. It's "compose anything" - which means blending multiple visual elements together.

Here's my step-by-step:

  1. Choose your main subject (person, object, character)
  2. Select your background/setting image
  3. Add style reference images (lighting, color, mood)
  4. Include motion references if needed
  5. Upload all references to the interface
  6. Adjust how strongly each reference influences the result
  7. Hit generate and wait for the magic!

I tried recreating one of the examples from the image above. I wanted a video of my mate in a spaceship corridor (like in the middle bottom example).

I uploaded:

  • A picture of my mate
  • An image of a sci-fi corridor
  • A reference for cool lighting
  • A phone-holding pose reference

The result was mind-blowing! It created a video that combined all these elements naturally.

What's clever about SkyReels-A2 is how it understands different types of references. It doesn't just copy-paste things together - it properly blends them.

If something doesn't look right, try adjusting the influence sliders. Sometimes lowering the influence of one reference can improve the overall result.

I've noticed it works best when your references are clear and not too complicated. High quality images give better results too.

Advanced Tips For Combining Multiple References

After using SkyReels-A2 for a while, I've found some tricks for getting amazing multi-reference videos.

The biggest game-changer is understanding which types of references work well together.

For best results combining multiple references:

  • Make sure lighting is consistent across references
  • Choose style references that match the mood you want
  • Use clear, high-quality images without busy backgrounds
  • Try to match the angle of your subject and background references
  • Add motion references that fit naturally with your subject

I've had amazing results mixing people with fantasy environments. Like putting my brother in a magical forest with glowing elements from another reference.

Another brilliant technique is using color palette references. I'll add a small image that just has the colors I want, and the AI picks up on that.

Sometimes less is more. I started by throwing in 5-6 references, but often 3 well-chosen ones give better results:

  • Main subject
  • Environment
  • Style/mood

The system is really good at understanding clothing and accessories too. I can upload a reference of someone wearing a specific outfit, and it'll apply that style to my subject.

For those technical moments, you can actually adjust the "compositing weights" in the advanced settings. This controls how strongly each reference influences the final video.

I've notice that certain combinations are trickier - like trying to put realistic humans in cartoon worlds. The AI gets confused about which style to use.

My absolute favorite thing to create is travel scenarios - taking a picture of myself and blending it with amazing locations around the world. Instant holiday videos!

The Technical Magic Behind SkyReels-A2's Multi-Reference System

Let me try to explain how this amazing tech actually works. I ain't no AI expert, but I'll keep it simple.

SkyReels-A2 uses something called "video diffusion transformers" which is proper clever.

The real breakthrough is its ability to understand and compose multiple references together. Here's why that's special:

Traditional AI video tools work with:

  • Text-to-video (from descriptions)
  • Image-to-video (animating one image)

But SkyReels-A2 does "compose-to-video" - taking multiple visual elements and blending them naturally.

The system breaks down each reference into different aspects:

  • Subject identity (what/who it is)
  • Visual style (colors, lighting, texture)
  • Motion patterns (how things move)
  • Environment elements (setting, background)

Then it cleverly combines these elements while keeping everything consistent.

It's a bit like having a super-smart video editor who understands exactly which parts of each reference you want to use.

The A2-Wan2.1-14B model they've built has been trained to recognize these different elements and combine them in ways that make sense visually.

What's really impressive is how it handles conflicts between references. If one reference has a sunny day and another has rain, it makes smart decisions about which to follow.

I reckon this "compose anything" approach is going to be the future of AI video. Being able to mix and match visual elements gives so much more creative control!

Practical Uses For Multi-Reference AI Videos

I've found loads of brilliant ways to use SkyReels-A2's multi-reference abilities. They're proper useful!

For my small business, I've been creating product videos by combining:

  • Product photos
  • Lifestyle setting references
  • Motion references showing how the product works

This lets me make professional-looking videos without hiring a whole production team!

For social media content, I'm combining:

  • Selfies or profile pics
  • Trending locations or events
  • Style references from popular creators

The videos get way more engagement than static images!

Here are some clever uses I've discovered:

  • Travel content: Blend yourself into locations around the world
  • Educational videos: Put subjects in historical settings using period references
  • Fashion showcases: Combine clothing items with different models and settings
  • Real estate: Create virtual tours by animating property photos with movement references
  • Gaming content: Put yourself into game environments using screenshot references

The multi-reference approach solves so many problems with traditional AI video. Instead of trying to describe everything in text, you can just show visual references.

I helped my nephew with a school project using SkyReels-A2. We combined:

  • Photos of him
  • Images from his history textbook
  • Motion references of people walking
  • Style references for an old film look

He got top marks for his "time travel" presentation!

What's really exciting is how this changes storytelling. I can create little scenes with consistent characters across different settings by maintaining the same subject reference.

The Future Of Multi-Reference AI Video Creation

The future of this tech is gonna be mental! I'm proper excited about where it's heading.

Right now, SkyReels-A2 can make short videos combining multiple references. But imagine what's coming next!

The Skywork team mentions they're working on an "infinity" version that'll make longer videos at higher resolution. That's gonna be game-changing!

I reckon we'll soon see:

  • Full control over which elements from each reference to use
  • Ability to specify exactly how references combine
  • Longer narratives with multiple scenes
  • Integration with other AI tools for full production workflows
  • Mobile apps that make this tech accessible to everyone

The compose-anything approach is definitely the future of AI video. It just makes sense to build videos by combining visual elements rather than describing everything in text.

I'm already seeing how this changes content creation. Instead of needing expensive cameras, actors, and locations, I can just find reference images and combine them!

For small creators like me, this levels the playing field with big production companies. I can make professional-quality videos with just my laptop.

The most exciting thing is how it opens up creativity. I'm not limited by my resources anymore - if I can imagine a combination of elements, I can create it!

As the technology improves, I think we'll see entire films made this way. Imagine creating a movie by combining actor references, location shots, and style elements from your favorite directors!

SkyReels-A2's approach with video diffusion transformers is just the beginning of this revolution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Reference Video Creation

How many reference images can I combine in one video?

The current version works best with 3-5 references. You can try more, but it might get confused if you add too many conflicting elements.

What types of references work best together?

A good combination is: main subject + environment/background + style reference. Make sure they have somewhat consistent lighting and perspective for best results.

Are there any types of references that don't work well?

Very busy images with lots of elements can confuse the system. Also, extremely different art styles sometimes don't blend well. Keep references relatively clean and somewhat compatible.

How long can videos be with the current version?

The preview version makes videos about 3 seconds long. They're working on an infinity version that'll make longer ones.

Can I use these multi-reference videos commercially?

Check the latest terms on their GitHub. Generally, the license allows commercial use, but be careful about copyright if you're using references you don't own the rights to.

Is SkyReels-A2 better than other AI video tools for specific tasks?

It's definitely better at combining multiple visual elements than most other tools. If you want to create videos that mix different references, SkyReels-A2 is currently one of the best options.

Conclusion: Why SkyReels-A2's Multiple Reference System Changes Everything

SkyReels-A2 has completely changed how I think about making videos.

The ability to combine multiple references - taking subjects, environments, styles, and motions from different sources - gives me so much creative control.

Looking at the examples in the image above, you can see how powerful this approach is. Each video combines elements from multiple reference images in a way that feels natural and cohesive.

For anyone who creates content, this tool is a game-changer. You're no longer limited by what you can film yourself or describe in text.

Instead, you can build videos by combining visual references - just like a collage artist, but with moving images!

The "compose anything" approach of SkyReels-A2 is definitely the future of AI video creation. It's more intuitive, more flexible, and gives better results than traditional text-to-video methods.

I'm using it almost daily now and watching closely for updates.

This multi-reference video diffusion transformer technology is just getting started, and I can't wait to see where it goes next!