Getting Started
The Complete Workflow
A 10-step journey from initial concept to rendered MP4 video: inputs, AI direction, preview, canvas editing, and export.
4 min read•Last updated: September 2026
From Idea to Downloadable Video
- Select an Input: Choose Upload Audio, Upload Video, or Write Prompt.
- Choose Format: Select 9:16 Shorts or 16:9 Full.
- Configure Settings: Pick your AI voice, graphics theme, brand kit, and layout overlay options.
- Click Generate: The AI director crafts structured scenes, narration, visual elements, and timing.
- Monitor Progress: Follow real-time progress through transcription, scene planning, voiceover synthesis, and initial render.
- Review in Studio: Scrub through the interactive Preview player and inspect the generated Script and scene timings.
- Fine-Tune Visuals: Open the Edit panel or Canvas Studio to correct text, adjust colors, reposition elements, or add animations.
- Add Audio & Subtitles: Enable synchronized captions, add background music from presets, and adjust volume mix.
- Apply & Re-Render: Click 'Apply & re-render' to bake your manual changes into the final video locally in seconds.
- Export & Share: Download the polished MP4 or export an editable .explay project archive.
Non-Destructive Regeneration
After scenes exist, modifying a major setting prompts you to choose between 'Generate again' (creating new AI scenes) or 'Apply and re-render' (re-encoding your existing scenes with updated styles).