# Character Swap AI > Character swap AI replaces the person in a video with a different character while the motion, camera and timing stay. In Kenerate Genjutsu, choose Replace character, upload the clip and at least one reference image of the new character, and write "replace the dancer with the man from @image1". Background and other people are left unchanged. URL: https://kenerateai.com/character-swap-ai Publisher: Kenerate AI (https://kenerateai.com) Last updated: 3 October 2026 ## Key facts - Mode: Replace character (default) - Needs: 1+ reference image of the character - References: Up to 10, or 30 on Seedance 2.5 - Kept: Motion, expressions, lips, camera, background - Clip length: 2–15 s, or 4–30 s on Seedance 2.5 - Output: MP4 up to 1080p, 4K on Seedance 2.5 - Kenerate Genjutsu (Kenerate): Clip 2–15 s + up to 10 references → 480p, 720p or 1080p · ~2–4 min. Fast recasts of short clips — dance, walk, reaction shots. - Kenerate Genjutsu Pro (Kenerate): Clip 2–15 s + up to 10 references → 480p, 720p or 1080p · ~3–6 min. Cleaner identity and finer costume detail on the same 15-second limit. - Seedance 2.5 (ByteDance): Clip 4–30 s + up to 30 references → 480p to 4K · ~4–8 min. Longer takes up to 30 s, up to 30 references of one character, and 4K. ## Steps 1. Pick a clean take — One main person, clearly visible. MP4, MOV, WebM or M4V up to about 100 MB; 2–15 s, or up to 30 s on Seedance 2.5. 2. Add the character references — Front view first, then side and back if you have them — same costume in each. They become @image1, @image2… 3. Keep Replace character selected — It's the default mode, and the one that keeps motion, lip movement and the camera while changing the identity. 4. Say who replaces whom — "Replace the man in the grey suit with the robot from @image1." Naming the original helps when others are in frame. 5. Compare and finish — Scrub the synced compare view for hands and turns, then download, Upscale to 4K or Dub into another language. ## In depth ### Building a reference set for one character The engine is asked to match the character from every listed reference and keep the identity identical from every angle — so a consistent set matters more than a single beautiful render. The Kenerate tiers take 10 references; Seedance 2.5 takes 30. - Front view, full body, neutral pose — make it @image1. - Side and back views in the same costume. - A close-up of the face if the clip has close shots. - Same lighting and style across the set. - No other characters in the reference images. ### What a recast keeps — and what it can't The original body motion, pose, gestures, expressions, lip movement, choreography and timing are kept, along with the camera move, framing and the direction of the light. What can't carry over is anything the reference contradicts: a character with long sleeves can't show the performer's tattoos, and a winged character won't get wings that move unless you describe it. Fast spins and hands crossing the face are the moments to check. ### When Motion Transfer is the better tool Kenerate's Motion Transfer tool also has a Replace person mode, available on SCAIL 2 and one other engine. It takes one character image and clips up to 2 minutes, which suits long dance routines and walkthroughs. Genjutsu is the pick for short, detailed recasts where you want several references, a written instruction and output up to 1080p, or 4K on Seedance 2.5. ## FAQ Q: What is an AI character swap in video? A: It's an edit that keeps a clip's performance and replaces who performs it. Genjutsu's Replace character mode tells the engine to copy the new character's face, hair, skin tone, body shape, outfit and accessories from your reference images, and to keep the original motion, gestures, expressions, lip movement, camera and lighting — without adding or removing people. Q: How is character swap different from face swap? A: A face swap pastes a new face onto the original body, hair and clothes. A character swap replaces the whole figure — face, body, costume and proportions — so it works for mascots, armoured knights, cartoon or 3D characters that a face swap couldn't produce. Genjutsu has no face-only mode; Replace character always swaps the full character. Q: Genjutsu or Motion Transfer's Replace person — which should I use? A: Both keep the scene and recast the person. Genjutsu takes clips up to 15 seconds (30 on Seedance 2.5), several reference images, a prompt and outputs up to 4K. Motion Transfer's Replace person mode uses one character image and handles clips up to 2 minutes at 480p or 720p. Short, detailed recasts suit Genjutsu; long takes suit Motion Transfer. Q: Can I swap in a cartoon, anime or 3D character? A: Yes — the reference decides the look. Add clear images of the character, ideally several angles, and the engine renders that character in the clip's performance and light. Stylised characters with very different proportions from the performer, such as a short round mascot replacing a tall dancer, are harder; pick a similar build when you can. Q: What happens if there are several people in the clip? A: Replace character targets the main character and is told to keep the other people and objects unchanged, without adding or removing anyone. If the clip has two similar people, say which one changes — "replace the woman on the left in the red coat" — and check the compare view to make sure the right person was recast. Q: Can I swap an actor in a film or TV scene? A: Only with rights to the footage and consent from the actor. Commercial film and TV clips belong to their studios, and actors' likenesses are protected. Use footage you shot or licensed, recast performers who agreed to it, never use celebrities or impersonate real people, and label recast clips as AI-edited when you publish them. ## Related pages - AI Video Editor: https://kenerateai.com/ai-video-editor - Replace a person in a video: https://kenerateai.com/replace-person-in-video - Swap an object in a video: https://kenerateai.com/swap-object-in-video - Kling O1 alternative: https://kenerateai.com/kling-o1-alternative - AI clothes changer: https://kenerateai.com/ai-clothes-changer ## Sources - Kenerate Genjutsu (video editor): https://kenerateai.com/app/genjutsu - Kenerate Motion Transfer (Replace person mode): https://kenerateai.com/app/tool/motion