AI Models Guide: Choosing the Right Model

Melies provides a growing catalog of image and video models from leading AI providers. Each model has different strengths in speed, quality, resolution, duration, references, and cost. This guide helps you choose the right model for each filmmaking task.

Image Models

Melies offers 16 image models from four major providers. Here is a complete comparison:

Complete Image Model Comparison

Image Model Details

Google Models

Nano Banana 2 is Google's flagship model and one of the best options for final-quality renders. It uses resolution-based pricing (8 to 40 credits depending on resolution) and supports outputs from 0.5K up to 4K. Fast generation speed with the best quality makes it a top choice for hero shots.

Nano Banana Pro offers high quality at medium speed with support up to 4K resolution. A solid all-rounder when you need high-resolution output without the variable pricing of Nano Banana 2.

Nano Banana is the original Google model. Fast and affordable at 10 credits, it is limited to 1K resolution but still delivers good quality for standard use.

ByteDance Models

Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 4 Edit both offer high quality at 10 credits with support for Auto, 2K, and 4K resolutions. Seedream 4 Edit is particularly useful when you need to modify existing images, while Seedream 4.5 excels at fresh generations.

xAI Model

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 brings xAI's latest image technology to Melies. It costs 10 credits at 1K or 15 credits at 2K and supports 13 aspect ratios. You can also edit one reference image for 2 additional credits.

Black Forest Labs Models

Black Forest Labs provides the widest range of models in Melies, from the ultra-fast Flux Schnell to the premium FLUX.2 max:

• FLUX.2 max and Flux Kontext Max (25 credits each) — Top-tier quality, slower speed, best for final renders
• FLUX.2 pro, Flux Kontext, Flux Pro Ultra, and Flux Pro (15-20 credits) — High quality at medium speed, great daily drivers
• FLUX.2 flex and Flux Dev (10-15 credits) — Good quality, balanced cost
• FLUX.2 klein (5 credits) and Flux Schnell (2 credits) — Fast and affordable for drafts and experimentation

Video Models

The video catalog changes as providers release new versions. The table below keeps several established models alongside Seedance 2.5 so you can compare the main pricing and workflow differences.

Complete Video Model Comparison

Video Model Details

Veo 3.1 (Google) — 400 credits

The most powerful video model available. Veo 3.1 generates up to 4K resolution video with native audio — meaning it creates matching sound effects and ambient audio along with the video. Best for final hero shots and scenes where quality is the top priority. The 4 to 8 second duration works well for individual scenes that you will edit together in the timeline.

Kling v3 Pro (Kuaishou) — 100 credits

The most feature-rich mid-range model. Supports clips up to 15 seconds with multi-shot capability and voice ID for character consistency. At 100 credits, it balances quality and cost well for projects that need longer takes.

Kling O3 Standard (Kuaishou) — 80 credits

High quality with character element support and up to 15 seconds of video. A step down in quality from v3 Pro but 20% cheaper, making it a smart choice for scenes that do not need the absolute best quality.

Kling v3 Standard (Kuaishou) — 60 credits

Good quality at the most affordable Kling price point. Still supports 15-second clips and character elements. Excellent for first-pass video generation before deciding which scenes deserve a premium re-render.

Seedance 2.5 (ByteDance) - 50 credits per second at 720p

Seedance 2.5 generates 4 to 30-second clips at 480p or 720p in Melies. It supports synchronized audio, one or several image references, and first-and-last-frame control. The base quote is 50 credits per second at 720p and about 25 credits per second at 480p. See the Seedance 2.5 pricing guideSeedance 2.5 Pricing: Credits, Cost per Second and PlansSee Seedance 2.5 pricing per second in Melies, fal.ai API costs, BytePlus billing, plan capacity, and practical ways to reduce AI video costs in 2026. for duration tables and plan capacity.

Hailuo 02 (MiniMax) — 70 credits

Generates 6 or 10 second clips at lower resolution (512P or 768P). A good option when you need decent video quickly without the cost of higher-resolution models.

WAN v2.2 (Alibaba) — 60 credits

Affordable video generation at 480 to 720p resolution with approximately 5-second clips. Good for rapid prototyping and storyboard visualization.

LTX 2 Pro (Lightricks) — 50 credits

The fastest and most affordable video model. Generates HD video in approximately 4.8 seconds. Includes camera LoRA presets (Dolly, Jib, Static) for controlled camera movement. Best for rapid iteration and testing.

Model Providers

Melies aggregates models from the world's leading AI research labs:

Choosing the Right Model

For Quick Drafts and Experimentation

Images: Flux Schnell (2 credits) or FLUX.2 klein (5 credits). Generate many ideas quickly at minimal cost.

Videos: LTX 2 Pro (50 credits). Fastest video generation, good for previewing scenes before committing to a premium render.

For High Quality Finals

Images: Nano Banana 2 (15 credits base) or FLUX.2 max (25 credits). Best quality available, worth the extra credits for hero images and key frames.

Videos: Veo 3.1 (400 credits) for the absolute best, or Kling v3 Pro (100 credits) for high quality at a lower cost.

For Budget-Friendly Production

Images: Seedream 4.5 (10 credits) or Flux Dev (10 credits). High quality at a moderate price point.

Videos: Kling v3 Standard (60 credits) or WAN v2.2 (60 credits). Decent quality without breaking the credit bank.

For Film and Cinematic Projects

Start with LTX 2 Pro for scene blocking and camera angle tests (it has camera LoRA presets for Dolly, Jib, and Static shots). Then render finals with Veo 3.1 or Kling v3 Pro for the scenes that make the final cut.

For Social Media Content

Images: Nano Banana (10 credits) or Flux Pro (15 credits). Quick, good-quality images that look great on mobile.

Videos: Use Seedance 2.5 when a vertical or square social clip needs synchronized audio or a continuous action longer than 15 seconds. At 720p, budget 50 credits per second. Use a shorter budget model when the shot does not need those capabilities.

Supported Aspect Ratios

Most image models support multiple aspect ratios. Here are the 9 standard ratios available: