IAverse

Complete guide to Pika Labs

Getting startedUse casesAdvanced setupTipsFAQ

Getting started

Go to pika.art and create a free account, which includes 80 video credits per month with access to Pika 2.5 at 480p. Choose your aspect ratio (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok or Instagram), select the model version (2.5 for quality, Turbo for speed), and write your prompt or upload a reference image. What sets Pika apart is its named effects: Pikaffects (impossible effects like melting or exploding), Pikadditions (add objects or people to real video), and several more tools you apply after generating the base clip.

Use cases

Impossible effects with Pikaffects
Apply effects like melting, exploding, inflating, or dissolving objects within a scene, effects that are impossible to capture with a real camera.
Insert elements into real video with Pikadditions
Add new characters or objects directly onto footage you've already recorded, blending them into the original scene.
Replace elements with Pikaswaps
Replace a specific object or element in the scene with a different one without regenerating the whole video.
Lip sync with Pikaformance
Generate video with audio-driven lip sync, useful for content with talking characters.

Advanced setup

  1. Basic generation settings
    Set the aspect ratio, model version (2.5 or Turbo), motion strength, and camera movement preferences before generating.
  2. Applying Pika effects
    After setting up the base generation, add Pikaffects, Pikadditions, Pikaswaps, or Pikatwists from the effects menu depending on the result you want.
  3. Pikaframes
    Generate video interpolation between a start frame and an end frame that you define, useful for controlled transitions.
  4. Credit management
    Each feature has a different credit cost: for example, text-to-video at 720p/5s costs 20 credits, while PikaTwists costs 60 to 80 credits per transformation.

Tips

  • Use Pika 2.5 when quality is the priority and Turbo when you need fast results to iterate on several versions in a row.
  • The named effects (Pikaffects, Pikadditions, Pikaswaps) each have a different credit cost: check the cost before applying several to the same clip.
  • To insert objects into real video with Pikadditions, use well-lit, stable footage: it greatly improves how the added element blends in.
  • Use the free plan (80 credits/month) to try the different effects before deciding which paid plan fits your usage.

FAQ

Is Pika free to use?
Yes, the free plan gives you 80 video credits per month with access to Pika 2.5 at 480p, including Pikaffects, Pikadditions, Pikaswaps, and Pikatwists. Paid plans start at $8/month.
What exactly are Pikaffects?
Visual effects that are impossible in reality (melting, exploding, inflating, crushing, dissolving) applied to an object or generated scene.
Can I insert a real person into a generated video?
Yes, with Pikadditions you can insert new people or objects directly into footage you've already recorded.
How many credits does each feature cost?
It varies: text-to-video at 720p/5s costs 20 credits, 1080p/10s costs 80, and special effects like PikaTwists cost 60-80 credits per transformation.
Based on pika.art and official Pika Labs documentation
← Back to Pika Labs