Get Storyboard AI Tool up and running in 5 minutes.

Since Storyboard AI Tool is a “Bring Your Own Key” platform, you need to connect your preferred AI brains before you can start creating. Choose your path below:

Option A: The Cloud Path (Easiest & Highest Quality)

Best for: Users who want the highest quality results immediately and don’t mind paying small usage fees to providers like OpenAI.

Step 1: Get Your Text Provider (The Storyteller)

1. Go to OpenAI (for GPT-4) or Anthropic (for Claude).
2. Generate a new API Key in their developer dashboard.
3. Open Storyboard AI Tool → Settings → Text Generation.
4. Paste your key into the corresponding slot.

Step 2: Get Your Image Provider (The Artist)

1. We recommend OpenAI (DALL-E 3) for ease of use, or Replicate (using the Flux model) for photorealism.
2. Copy the API Key from your provider’s dashboard.
3. Open Storyboard AI Tool → Settings → Image Generation.
4. Paste the key and click Save.

Step 3: (Optional) Enable Video

1. Get an API Key from Luma Dream Machine or RunwayML.
2. Important: For cloud video, you need a place to host the input images. Set up a Cloudflare R2 bucket (it’s free/cheap object storage) and enter those credentials in the Storage tab.

Option B: The Local Path (Free & Private)

Best for: Users with powerful computers (NVIDIA GPUs or Mac M-Series) who want zero monthly costs.

Step 1: Set Up Local Text (LM Studio)

1. Download and install LM Studio.
2. Search for and download a model (we recommend Llama 3 or Mistral).
3. Go to the “Local Server” tab in LM Studio and click Start Server.
4. In Storyboard AI Tool Settings, select LM Studio as your text provider.

Step 2: Set Up Local Images (Stable Diffusion)

1. Ensure you have Automatic1111 or ComfyUI installed.
2. Crucial Step: When launching Automatic1111, add the command line argument --api to your webuser-bat file (Windows) or launch script (Mac).
3. Launch your local Stable Diffusion interface.
4. In Storyboard AI Tool Settings, select Local SD and ensure the URL matches your local host (usually http://127.0.0.1:7860).

⚡ Pro Tip: The “Mix & Match”

You don’t have to choose just one path! Many pros use a Hybrid Setup for the best balance of speed and cost:

• Text: Use Local (LM Studio) for free, unlimited story rewriting and iterations.
• Images: Use Cloud (Flux/Replicate) for the final high-quality storyboard frames to save stress on your GPU.