Troubleshooting

If you’re experiencing issues with Automat Studio, you’re in the right place. This guide covers common problems and their solutions, organized by category.

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Getting Started Issues

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I can’t create a scene without a location

This is expected behavior. You must create at least one location before you can create a scene, as scenes require a location to be assigned. Solution:

1. Navigate to Location Studio
2. Create at least one location
3. Return to scene creation and select your location from the dropdown

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I don’t see the option to create custom aesthetics

Custom aesthetics are only available on the Independent and Hollywood plans. If you’re on a different plan, you’ll have access to the six default aesthetics but won’t be able to create custom ones. Solution:

• Check your current plan in account settings
• Use one of the six default aesthetics available on all plans
• Consider upgrading your plan if custom aesthetics are important for your workflow

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Image Generation Problems

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Generated images don’t match my description

AI image generation may not perfectly reflect every detail in your prompt, especially with shot attributes like lens type and camera angles. This is a current limitation that will improve over time. Solutions:

1. Be more specific — Add more detail to your description about visual elements you want emphasized
2. Try different models — Enable “show models” and experiment with different AI models (see Models section for recommendations)
3. Generate multiple times — Each generation is unique; try several iterations
4. Refine iteratively — Use previous generations as reference and refine your description based on what worked

⚠️ Note: Shot attributes (like lens and shot type) may not be precisely reflected in generated images due to current AI limitations—but this will improve over time!

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Character or location images look inconsistent

If your characters or locations vary too much between generations, here are some strategies: Solutions:

1. Use more detailed descriptions — Include specific physical attributes, clothing, colors, and distinctive features
2. Save and reuse — Once you get a character or location you like, save it and reuse it across scenes
3. Apply project aesthetics — Using a consistent aesthetic can help maintain visual coherence (see Aesthetics guide)
4. Reference previous generations — Some models work better when you reference or build upon previous successful generations

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Image generation is slow or stuck

Image generation typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the model and complexity. Solutions:

1. Be patient — Wait at least 2-3 minutes before assuming it’s stuck
2. Check your connection — Ensure you have a stable internet connection
3. Try a different model — Some models are faster than others
4. Clear and retry — Cancel the generation and try again with a simpler prompt
5. Check server status — High server load can cause delays

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Video Generation Issues

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Video generation takes too long

Video generation typically takes 2-3 minutes. You can navigate away from the page while it processes in the background. Solutions:

1. Wait patiently — Video generation is more resource-intensive than image generation
2. Work on other shots — Automat processes in the background, so you can continue working
3. Check the progress indicator — Look for status updates in the shot interface
4. Reduce shot duration — Shorter clips generate faster

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Generated video doesn’t animate smoothly

Motion quality can vary based on the source image and the model used. Solutions:

1. Start with a better first frame — Ensure your first frame is clear and well-composed
2. Adjust motion settings — Experiment with motion strength and camera path settings
3. Try different models — Some models handle motion better than others
4. Regenerate — Each generation is different; try multiple attempts
5. Use Generate Video Direct — This alternative method might work better for your specific shot (see Generate Video Direct)

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Video won’t generate from my first frame

Solutions:

1. Ensure first frame is saved — Make sure you’ve clicked Save on your first frame
2. Check frame selection — Confirm the correct frame is selected in the shot gallery
3. Verify shot details — Ensure duration, camera movement, and other settings are configured
4. Try regenerating the first frame — Sometimes a different still works better for animation

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Aesthetic Problems

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Custom aesthetic processing failed

If your custom aesthetic creation fails, try these steps: Solutions:

1. Check image quality — Ensure your uploaded images are clear and in supported formats (JPG, PNG, WebP)
2. Reduce image count — Try processing with fewer images (start with 2-3 instead of 5)
3. Use consistent images — Images should share similar visual styles for best results
4. Check file size — Very large images may cause processing issues; resize if necessary
5. Retry the process — Sometimes a temporary server issue; try again after a few minutes

💡 Tip: The more consistent your reference images are in style, the more cohesive your resulting aesthetic will be. Choose images that share similar visual qualities.

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Aesthetic isn’t applying to my project

Solutions:

1. Check project settings — Ensure the aesthetic is selected in your project settings
2. Re-apply aesthetic — Try changing to “None” and then back to your aesthetic
3. Verify it’s processed — Custom aesthetics must be fully processed before use
4. Create new project — Some aesthetics work better when selected during project creation

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Model Selection Issues

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I don’t know which model to use

Solutions:

1. Start with recommended models — These are tested for best results in Automat Studio (see Models guide)
2. Use supported models for experimentation — Try different models to find what works for your style
3. Enable “show models” — This option lets you see and select from available models
4. Check model documentation — Each model has different strengths; see the Models section for details

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Model keeps producing poor results

Solutions:

1. Switch to recommended models — Recommended models are optimized for Automat Studio workflows
2. Refine your prompts — Better descriptions often yield better results regardless of model
3. Try multiple models — Different models excel at different things; experiment to find the best fit
4. Check model status — Some models may have temporary issues; try again later

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File Upload & Data Issues

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Can’t upload images for custom aesthetics

Solutions:

1. Check file format — Supported formats include JPG, PNG, and WebP
2. Verify file size — Very large files may fail; try resizing images to under 10MB each
3. Check upload limit — Maximum of 5 images for custom aesthetics
4. Try different browser — Some browsers handle uploads better than others
5. Check your plan — Ensure you’re on a plan that supports custom aesthetics

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Lost work or changes not saving

Solutions:

1. Save frequently — Always click Save after making changes to characters, locations, scenes, or shots
2. Check internet connection — Unstable connections can prevent saves
3. Use shot history — Previous renders are stored; you can revert to earlier versions
4. Don’t navigate away too quickly — Wait a moment after clicking Save before leaving

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Workflow & Navigation

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I’m confused about the workflow order

The recommended workflow is:

1. Create a Project
2. Create Characters
3. Create Locations
4. Create Scenes
5. Create Shots

Within each shot:

• Generate First Frame
• Generate Video
• Add Dialogue and Lipsync
• Apply VFX
• Add SFX

See the complete workflow guide for detailed instructions.

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Can’t find where to create a shot

Solutions:

1. Start with a scene — Shots are created within scenes
2. Navigate to scene view — Open your scene and look for “Create Shot” button
3. Check you have prerequisites — Ensure your scene has a location and characters assigned
4. See Create a Scene — Step 4 covers shot creation

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Performance & Technical Issues

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App is slow or unresponsive

Solutions:

1. Refresh the page — Sometimes a simple refresh resolves temporary issues
2. Check browser — Ensure you’re using a modern, up-to-date browser
3. Clear cache — Clear your browser cache and cookies
4. Close other tabs — Reduce system load by closing unnecessary browser tabs
5. Check internet speed — Slow connections can make the app feel sluggish
6. Try different browser — Some browsers perform better than others

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Images or videos won’t load

Solutions:

1. Refresh the page — Often resolves loading issues
2. Check internet connection — Ensure you have a stable connection
3. Wait a moment — Large files may take time to load
4. Try different browser — Browser compatibility issues can prevent media loading
5. Clear browser cache — Corrupted cache can prevent media from loading

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Still Need Help?

If you’ve tried these solutions and still need assistance: