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Quick Guide: How to Use AI Cinematic Shorts in PhotoDirector

Five steps from one photo to an 8-second cinematic short.

Updated Oct. 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Steps

1Pick a template

Hover over the templates to preview them, then click one, such as Micro Cinema.

The Micro Cinema template selected and shown under Selected template, highlighted

2Add your photo

Click the Import your photo box and choose a photo. Mid-distance shots with rich detail work best.

The Import your photo menu with From Local Drive, From Library, and From My Creations highlighted

3Crop the photo

Click the crop icon, pick an aspect ratio, drag the frame over the subject, and click OK.

The Crop and rotate window with a 16:9 frame over the whole café photo, and the Aspect Ratio list and OK button highlighted

4Generate

Check the aspect ratio and click Generate. PhotoDirector lets you know when it's done.

The Aspect Ratio options with 16:9 selected and the Generate button highlighted

5Download the short

Open My Creations, select the short, and click Download.

My Creations with the café short's checkbox checked, and its View button and the Download button highlighted

We tested these steps in PhotoDirector 365 version 18.0.10 on Windows.