Character Management

Cutflow's @ID character system is a core feature for maintaining consistent character appearance across all cuts.

Overview

In Cutflow, a character is more than a simple text tag. When you register a character, the AI generates a Character Sheet, and all subsequent image and video generation references this sheet to maintain consistent character identity.

Character management is performed in the Character & Location Studio. This document provides detailed guidance on character creation, the @ID system, concept images, Character Sheets, variations, and reference image usage.

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Creating Characters

Basic Information

To create a character, you enter the following information.

Creation Process

1. In the Studio, select Characters in the sidebar.
2. Click the [+ New Character] button in the card grid.
3. Enter the required information in the creation dialog.
4. Upload a reference image if you have one.
5. Click the [Register] button to create the character.

Character Limit Per Project

You can register up to 10 characters per project.

• Character registration itself is free (no credit cost).
• If you attempt to register more than 10, a notification message will be displayed.
• You can delete unused characters to register new ones.

Writing Good Appearance Descriptions

The Appearance Description is the foundation for Character Sheet generation and all subsequent image generation. The more specific and detailed it is, the more consistent results you will get.

Good example:

Mid-20s Korean woman, long straight brown hair falling below the shoulders,
soft round eyes with brown irises, natural skin tone, slightly full cheeks,
characterized by a warm and gentle smile. Average build, about 165cm tall.

Example to avoid:

Pretty woman

Tip: Including age, gender, ethnicity, hair (color/length/style), eyes (color/shape), body type, skin tone, and distinctive physical features will yield the best results. Exclude clothing and describe only the base appearance -- manage outfits through variations.

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AI Describe Assist

This feature lets you enter a few keywords and have the AI automatically write a detailed appearance description.

How to Use

1. Select a character in the Studio.
2. In the detail panel, click the [AI Describe Assist] button.
3. Enter keywords (e.g., "20s Korean woman, long brown hair, round eyes").
4. The AI generates a detailed appearance description based on your keywords.
5. Click [Apply] to immediately apply the description.

Cost: AI Describe Assist costs 1 credit.

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@ID System

What is @ID?

@ID (character unique identifier) is an identifier used to call registered characters in scripts or prompts. You use it in the format @Seohee, @Jake, etc.

How to Use @ID

When you type @ in a prompt input field or script Action block, a unified autocomplete dropdown displays both registered characters and locations.

1. Type @ in the prompt input field.
2. Characters and locations are displayed together in the dropdown.
3. Click the desired character, or continue typing the name to filter and select.
4. A tag like @Seohee is inserted into the prompt.

How @ID Works

When a prompt contains @ID, Cutflow operates as follows:

1. Character Recognition: Detects the @ID tag in the prompt.
2. Auto-Attach Sheet Reference: Automatically attaches the character's selected variation's Primary Character Sheet as a reference image.
3. Include Appearance Description: Automatically includes the character's appearance description in the AI prompt.
4. Image Generation: Generates images featuring a consistent character based on the Character Sheet and appearance description.

Note: You can mention multiple characters in a single prompt. For example: @Seohee and @Jake are having a conversation at a cafe.

@ID Naming Rules

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Concept Images

Concept images let you visually preview and iteratively refine a character's appearance. Generating concept images before creating a Character Sheet helps you get more satisfying results.

AI Generation

1. Select a character in the Studio.
2. In the detail panel's concept image gallery, click the [Generate Concept] button.
3. The AI generates a concept image based on the appearance description.
4. If unsatisfied, revise the appearance description and regenerate.

Cost: Concept image generation costs 5 credits.

Direct Upload

You can drag and drop images into the gallery or use the [Upload] button to add images you created yourself.

Per-Variation Concept Images

Each variation has its own concept image gallery. For example, a "School Uniform" variation displays concept images in that outfit, while a "Casual" variation shows casual-outfit concepts.

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Character Sheet

What is a Character Sheet?

A Character Sheet is a multi-angle reference sheet that captures the character's front view, side view, various expressions, and more in a single image. The AI automatically generates it based on the character's appearance description, reference image, and concept images.

This sheet is used as the standard for character consistency in all subsequent image and video generation. The quality of the sheet directly affects the character consistency of your final output.

Generating a Character Sheet

1. Select a character in the Studio.
2. In the detail panel, click the [Generate Sheet] button.
3. The AI generates a multi-angle reference sheet based on the appearance description and concept/reference images.
4. Once generation is complete, you can view the sheet in the sheet gallery.

Cost: Character Sheet generation costs 10 credits.

Sheet Management

• If a sheet is unsatisfactory, regenerate to create a new one. Existing sheets are preserved.
• If you have a Character Sheet you created yourself, you can use the [Upload] button to upload it.
• The sheet marked as Primary (default sheet) is the one referenced by default when you call a character with @ID.
• To change the Primary sheet, click the [Set as Primary] button on the desired sheet.

Per-Variation Sheets

Each variation has its own sheet gallery and Primary sheet. For example:

• Base variation: Sheet with the default appearance
• School Uniform variation: Sheet in school uniform
• Casual variation: Sheet in casual clothes

When generating keyframes in the editor, use the variation dropdown in the Reference Images panel of the Cut Editor's Keyframes tab to select which variation (and its sheet) to use.

Deleting Sheets

• The Primary sheet cannot be deleted. Set another sheet as Primary first, then delete.
• Only non-Primary sheets can be deleted, and a confirmation dialog is displayed before deletion.
• Deleted sheets cannot be recovered.

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Variations

You can create multiple appearance versions (variations) for a single character. Each variation manages a different outfit, hairstyle, accessories, or other visual change separately.

• A Base variation is automatically created when you register a character.
• Create additional variations, each with its own concept images and Character Sheet.
• In the editor, select the variation to use per cut so the corresponding sheet is referenced.

For more details on the variation system, see the Variation System document.

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Reference Images

Character Reference Images (Automatic)

When you mention a character with @ID in a prompt, that character's selected variation's Primary Character Sheet is automatically attached as a reference image.

• When multiple characters are mentioned in a prompt, reference images are attached in mention order.
• Character references are always placed at the front of the reference image list.
• Removing the @ID from the prompt automatically detaches the reference.

Location Reference Images (Automatic)

When you mention a location with @LocationID in a prompt, that location's selected variation's Primary image is automatically attached as a reference image.

Variation Dropdown

In the Cut Editor's Keyframes tab Reference Images panel, use the variation dropdown for each character/location to select which version to use for that specific cut.

Additional Reference Images (Manual)

Beyond characters and locations, you can manually attach additional reference images to maintain consistency in backgrounds, styles, and mood.

1. Click the [+ Add Reference] button in the Reference Images panel.
2. The Asset Browser Modal opens, allowing you to browse all images in the project.
3. Click the desired image to add it as a reference image (multiple selection supported).
4. Added images are placed after the character/location references.

Limit: You can attach up to 5 additional reference images.

AI Model Reference Image Compatibility

Not all AI image generation models support reference images equally.

Tip: For scenes where character consistency is critical, selecting InstantCharacter or IP-Adapter Face ID will yield better results.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Series with Variations

Here is an example of creating a series where one character appears in two different outfits -- a school uniform and casual clothes.

1. Register Character and Design Base (Studio)

1. Register @Mina.
2. Describe only the base appearance in the appearance description (exclude clothing).
3. Generate concept images in the Base variation to verify the appearance.
4. Once satisfied, generate a Character Sheet.

2. Create School Uniform Variation (Studio)

1. In @Mina's detail panel, click [+ New Variation].
2. Name: "School Uniform", Description: "Korean high school uniform, white shirt with navy blazer and plaid skirt"
3. Generate concept images in the School Uniform variation.
4. Generate a Character Sheet referencing the concepts.

3. Create Casual Variation (Studio)

1. Click [+ New Variation] again.
2. Name: "Casual", Description: "Casual, cream knit sweater with denim pants and white sneakers"
3. Generate casual concept images and a Character Sheet.

4. Select Variation Per Cut (Editor)

• School scenes (Cuts 1-3): In the Cut Editor's Keyframes tab Reference Panel, select "School Uniform" for @Mina's variation
• Cafe scenes (Cuts 4-6): Select "Casual" for the variation

Note: Switching variations for individual cuts does not affect other cuts.

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Tips & Best Practices

1. Write appearance descriptions without clothing: Describe only the base appearance and manage outfits through variations for greater flexibility.
2. Generate concept images first: Before generating a sheet (10cr), verify the appearance with concepts (5cr) to save credits.
3. Always regenerate if the sheet is unsatisfactory: The quality of the sheet determines the consistency of all subsequent generations.
4. Leverage reference images: If you have photos or illustrations of the desired character, uploading them as reference images helps the AI generate a sheet closer to the desired appearance.
5. Keep @IDs short and memorable: Use concise names like @Seohee, @Jake.
6. You can upload sheets directly: If you have Character Sheets created with other AI tools or drawn yourself, upload them and they will be used as the reference standard.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I generate images without a Character Sheet?

Yes, but it is not recommended. Without a Character Sheet, the AI is likely to generate characters with different appearances each time, making it unsuitable for series production.

Q. Can I change an @ID?

Currently, @IDs are set at character creation and cannot be changed afterward. If you need to change it, please delete the character and register a new one.

Q. What happens to existing sheets when I regenerate a Character Sheet?

A new sheet is generated as a separate version, and existing sheets are preserved. You can view and manage all versions in the sheet gallery.

Q. How many Character Sheets can I create?

There is no limit on the number of sheet versions per character. However, each sheet generation costs 10 credits.

Q. Can I use a real photo as a reference image?

Yes. However, please be careful not to use another person's likeness without permission. Cutflow does not accept liability for portrait rights of generated characters.

Q. Can I feature multiple characters in a single scene?

Yes. Simply mention multiple characters in the prompt, such as @Seohee and @Jake are walking together. Each character's sheet will be attached as a reference image.

Q. Can I edit characters from the editor?

The editor's left panel displays a brief character list, but character editing is only available in the Studio. Clicking a character navigates you to the Studio.

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Related Documents

• Character & Location Studio -- Full Studio guide
• Location Management -- @LocationID system, location image guide
• Variation System -- Detailed variation guide
• Cut Editor -- Using @character in prompts
• Image Generation -- How reference images affect image generation