Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

This new AI animation tool is blowing people’s minds

More AI tools are popping up to advance features of the popular generators that are already available, and the latest one is blowing people’s minds.

One AI research company, Runway, has recently introduced the second generation of its Motion Brush tool, which helps animate aspects of AI-generated images, such as those created in Midjourney. The simple brush tool to animate images feels like magic — which is always true when AI is done right. The video below, as posted by AI enthusiast, Rory Flynn, shows the new tool in action.

Recommended Videos

Full Video: https://t.co/iyJr8TEyyt

— Rory Flynn (@Ror_Fly) November 25, 2023

Many creators are already having fun with the Motion Brush tool, bringing to life still images such as trucks driving down a dirt road, panning nature shots, moving people and animals, leaves twisting in the wind, and moving clouds. Runway also showcased examples of making waterfalls, fish in a tank, fire, and the smoke from a burning cigarette move.

Motion Brush works by uploading an image into the service. Select Start with Image and then select the Motion Brush tool. Then use it to draw a highlight over the area of the image you would like to animate on the image. You can also generate an image within Runway using a text prompt before using Motion Brush. Confirm the horizontal, vertical, and proximity controls at the bottom of the screen, and then press Save. Once saved, you can generate the video by selecting the Extend 4s button. You can also click Extend 4s again to expand the length of the video up to 16 seconds. Generated videos are available for downloading, sharing, and use in other editors, among other functions.

Some of the features that you can use together are Motion Brush and Camera Controls, which allow you to set aspects of the image to move while the camera pans or zooms at the same time. Other updated features include the Gen-2 Style Presets, which allow you to add style to content without prompts, and Director Mode updates allowing for adjustments to camera moves at a fraction of a second.

Runway Motion Brush preview.
RunwayML

Its interface resembles most image or video editors. You’ll have access to different functions and limits in the service, depending on your price tier, which includes basic, Standard, Pro, Unlimited, or Enterprise. Currently, the Motion Brush tool is in beta, making it available to all Runway members.

In addition to the Motion Brush update, Runway recently introduced new Gen-2 Style Presets, and updated Camera Controls, among other features, the company said on its X (formerly Twitter) profile.

Runway is free to sign up and you can use Google or Apple as sign-up options. There is also a Single Use Sign-on available only for the Enterprise tier.

Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh is a Computing Writer at Digital Trends. She covers a range of topics in the computing space, including…
OpenAI halts free GPT-4o image generation after Studio Ghibli viral trend
OpenAI and ChatGPT logos are marked do not enter with a red circle and line symbol.

After only one day, OpenAI has put a halt on the free version of its in-app image generator, powered by the GPT-4o reasoning model. The update is intended to improve realism in images and text in AI-generated context; however, users have already created a runaway trend that has caused the AI company to rethink its rollout strategy. 

Not long after the update became available on ChatGPT, users began sharing images they had fashioned to social media platforms in the style of Studio Ghibli, the popular Japanese animation studio. Creations ranged from Studio Ghibli-based personal family photos to iconic scenes from the 2024 Paris Olympics, scenes from movies including “The Godfather” and “Star Wars”, and internet memes including distracted boyfriend and disaster girl.

Read more
Google is testing a new refresh shortcut for AI Mode
Google AI Mode for Search.

Google’s new AI Mode for search may soon get an update to make the feature easier to navigate after users input a query. 

The Gemini 2.0-powered AI-search function is an elevated search experience, providing a mix of contextual AI Overviews and relevant search links. Currently, Google has made AI Mode available to its Google One AI Premium subscribers as a preview. However, the brand may soon expand availability to free users, while also making it easier to reset an AI Mode conversation and remain on the same page. 

Read more
Claude AI catches up with ChatGPT by offering a new search tool
Claude on a MacBook Pro.

If you're looking for a new search tool, Claude may help. The AI assistant now features a new web search tool that allows users to access current events and information to enhance their results. The new search feature provides direct citations, allowing you to verify sources easily. Furthermore, Claude organizes and presents relevant sources in a conversational format, making the results easier to digest.

Anthropic states that the new search feature is handy for various users and use cases. These include sales teams seeking to analyze industry trends, financial analysts looking for up-to-date market data, and researchers who need content for grant proposals and literature reviews. Additionally, everyday shoppers can benefit from the tool as it helps them compare product features and prices.

Read more