Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash
Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash is Alibaba Cloud's speed-optimized image-to-video model that animates still images into video clips at up to 1080p, designed for fast iteration and high-throughput animation pipelines.
View API reference- Price
- $0.05, Per secondLowest available configuration
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';
const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.6-i2v-flash', prompt: 'A serene mountain lake at sunrise.'});Copy link to headingPlayground
Try out Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash by Alibaba Cloud. Usage is billed to your team at API rates. Free users (those who haven't made a payment) get $5 of credits every 30 days.
Your generated video will appear here.
Copy link to headingProviders
Route requests across multiple providers. Copy a provider slug to set your preference. Visit the docs for more info. Using a provider means you agree to their terms, listed under Legal.
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Getting started
Generate videos with Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash using the experimental_generateVideo function from AI SDK 6 or later. AI Gateway handles routing and polls until the video is ready.
Install the AI SDK (pnpm add ai dotenv), create an API key from the API Keys page, and set it as AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY in your environment. Full setup is covered in the video generation quickstart.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.6-i2v-flash', prompt: { image: 'https://example.com/cat.png', text: 'The cat waves hello and smiles', }, });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);Top-level parameters
Control the output with the top-level resolution and duration parameters. Wan uses resolution, not aspectRatio.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.6-i2v-flash', prompt: { image: 'https://example.com/cat.png', text: 'The cat waves hello and smiles', }, resolution: '1280x720', duration: 5, });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
prompt.image | string | Yes | URL of the image to animate. |
prompt.text | string | No | Description of the motion or animation. Max 1500 characters. |
duration | number | No | Video length in seconds. 2-15 seconds. |
resolution | string | No | Resolution ('1280x720', '1920x1080'). |
aspectRatio | string | No | Aspect ratio ('16:9', '9:16', '1:1', '4:3', '3:4'). |
generateAudio | boolean | No | Generate synchronized audio with the video. |
frameImages | Array<{ image: string; frameType: 'first_frame' }> | No | Opening frame of the clip, as a single first_frame entry. Replaces prompt.image and wins when both are set. URLs only. Wan does not interpolate to an ending image, so a last_frame entry is ignored with a warning. |
Input limits
| Input | Formats | Sources | Max count | Max size | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text | — | — | — | — | Up to 1500 characters |
| Image | jpeg, jpg, png, bmp, webp | url | 1 | 20 MB | ≥240px · ≤8000px |
| Audio | wav, mp3 | url | — | 15 MB | 3-30s |
Provider options
Load the Wan options under providerOptions.alibaba. audioUrl (an external audio track for lip-sync) is a separate workflow and is documented in the table below.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.6-i2v-flash', prompt: { image: 'https://example.com/cat.png', text: 'The cat waves hello and smiles', }, duration: 5, generateAudio: true, providerOptions: { alibaba: { negativePrompt: 'blurry, low quality', watermark: false, pollIntervalMs: 5000, pollTimeoutMs: 600000, }, }, });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);Pass Wan-specific options under providerOptions.alibaba in your generateVideo call.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
negativePrompt | string | No | What to avoid in the video. Max 500 characters. |
audioUrl | string | No | URL to audio file for audio-video sync — see the Input limits table for supported formats, duration, and size. |
audio | boolean | No | Generate audio with the video. Provider-side alias for the top-level generateAudio, which wins when both are set. v2.6 only — v2.7 always generates audio and ignores it with a warning. |
watermark | boolean | No | Add watermark to the video. Defaults to false. |
pollIntervalMs | number | No | How often to check task status. Defaults to 5000. |
pollTimeoutMs | number | No | Maximum wait time. Defaults to 600000 (10 minutes). |
Reference-to-video vs image-to-video
Reference-to-video uses the top-level inputReferences to show the model what your characters look like, then generates a brand-new scene from your prompt. The reference media never becomes the video content; reference each one in the prompt with character1, character2, and so on (first entry maps to character1).
Image-to-video instead animates the actual image you pass in frameImages or prompt.image. The image you provide becomes the video content, and you add motion to that exact scene.
Copy link to headingAbout Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash
Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash occupies the speed-optimized position within the Wan 2.6 image-to-video family. It accepts the same inputs as the standard I2V model, a source image plus a motion-guiding text prompt, but prioritizes low generation latency, making it well-suited for creative iteration, draft reviews, and high-throughput pipelines where many animation variants need to be evaluated quickly.
Despite the speed focus, the Flash model retains the core visual improvements introduced in the 2.6 generation: better temporal consistency between frames, improved instruction-following for motion prompts, and support for the full resolution range from 480p through 1080p. Teams commonly use the Flash variant during the exploration phase of a production workflow and then route finalized prompts to the standard I2V model for polished output.
The Flash architecture also makes it practical to run animation at scale, for example, generating animated thumbnails or preview loops for a large image library, without the queue times that full-quality generation incurs. Optional audio accompaniment is available on the same pass.
Copy link to headingWhat To Consider When Choosing a Provider
- Configuration: When peak visual fidelity for a final deliverable takes priority over turnaround time, evaluate the standard wan-v2.6-i2v model alongside this Flash variant before choosing.
- Zero Data Retention: Zero Data Retention is available for this model. It is offered on a per-provider and model basis. See the documentation for details.
- Authentication: AI Gateway authenticates requests using an API key or OIDC token. You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.
Copy link to headingWhen to Use Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash
Best for
- Rapid prompt iteration: Exploring motion ideas before committing to full-quality I2V rendering
- High-throughput animation workflows: Processing many images in parallel with short turnaround times
- Draft previews for review: Generating quick outputs for client review or storyboard approval loops
- Cost-sensitive animation pipelines: Delivering acceptable quality at lower computational expense
Consider alternatives when
- Maximum visual fidelity: Use wan-v2.6-i2v for the highest-quality image animation in final deliverables
- Text-only source: Use wan-v2.6-t2v when generating from a text description rather than an image
- Consistent character identity: Use wan-v2.6-r2v or wan-v2.6-r2v-flash when the same subject must appear across multiple generated shots
Copy link to headingConclusion
Wan v2.6 Image-to-Video Flash makes image animation practical at production scale by dramatically reducing generation time relative to the standard I2V model, without sacrificing the resolution range or core motion quality of the Wan 2.6 series. It is the recommended starting point for any iterative or high-volume image-to-video workflow.
Copy link to headingFrequently Asked Questions
How much faster is I2V Flash compared to the standard I2V model?
The Flash variant is engineered specifically for faster generation times. Exact speed differences vary by resolution and provider, but Flash is designed for quick-iteration use cases where the standard model's generation time is prohibitive.
Does the Flash model support 1080p output?
Yes. Despite the speed optimization, I2V Flash supports 480p, 720p, and 1080p resolutions.
Can I include audio in the generated video?
Optional audio accompaniment is available on the same generation pass.
What is the maximum clip duration?
Generated clips can be up to 15 seconds long.
When should I use Flash versus the standard I2V model?
Use Flash for drafts, iteration, and high-volume tasks. Use the standard I2V model when final visual quality matters more than turnaround time.
Does the Flash model require a different input format than the standard I2V?
No. Both models accept the same inputs: a source image and a text prompt describing the desired motion.
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