Runway Tutorial
Last updated: April 2026
What you'll achieve
After this tutorial, you'll be able to generate a professional-looking, 4-second AI video from a simple text prompt, edit it using Runway's intuitive tools, and export it as a shareable file. I'll guide you through your first project from a blank slate to a finished clip. You'll understand the core workflow of text-to-video generation, how to navigate the dashboard, and the basics of adjusting your output. This foundational skill is the gateway to everything else Runway offers, from complex scene edits to green screen effects.
Prerequisites
- •A free Runway account (sign-up requires only an email)
- •A modern web browser (Chrome works best in my testing)
- •A rough idea for a simple video scene (e.g., 'an astronaut riding a horse')
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Sign Up and Claim Your Free Credits
Head to runwayml.com and click 'Get Started' or 'Sign Up' in the top right. I recommend using the 'Continue with Google' option for speed, but email works fine. You'll be asked a few quick questions about your role (choose 'Creator' or 'Hobbyist' if unsure) and your goal ('Generate videos with AI' is perfect). The critical part happens next: the platform will show you your workspace. Immediately, look for your profile icon or a 'Credits' counter. As a new user, you should have 125 free credits to start. I tested this recently, and it's still the case. These credits are your lifeblood; each video generation costs a few. Bookmark the site now—this is your new creative home base.
Use a personal email you check often. Runway sends useful tutorial emails.
Step 2: Navigate the Dashboard and Find the AI Generator
The dashboard can feel overwhelming, but ignore 90% of it for now. Focus on the central, purple '+ New Project' button. Click it. A modal will pop up; select 'AI Video Project'. This opens the main video editor. On the left, you'll see a toolbar. The magic wand icon is 'AI Tools'—click it. A sidebar appears with options like 'Gen-3 Alpha', 'Image to Video', and 'Motion Brush'. For your first video, you're using 'Text to Video' under the 'Gen-3 Alpha' section. This is the core engine. The central canvas is where your video will play. The right panel is for your prompt and settings. That's all you need to know for step one.
Hover over any confusing icon; Runway has good tooltips.
Step 3: Generate Your First AI Video with Text
In the right panel, you'll see a text box that says 'Describe your video...'. This is where you craft your prompt. Be specific but not overly poetic. I tested 'a serene panda practicing tai chi in a misty bamboo forest' and got a great result. Avoid listing camera directions like 'wide shot, then close-up'; Gen-3 interprets the whole prompt as a single scene. Below the box, you'll see 'Style'. Leave it on 'Cinematic' for your first try—it's the most reliable. Then, click the big purple 'Generate' button. A cost (like 5 credits) will flash. Confirm. Now, wait. A progress bar will appear. What surprised me was the quality even on the free tier; the 4-second clips are coherent and often stunning.
Start with simple, single-subject prompts. 'A cat wearing a hat' works better than a complex scene.
Step 4: Use the Editor to Fix Flaws and Customize
Once your video generates, it appears on the timeline at the bottom. Click it to select it. Now look at the left toolbar. The 'Erase & Replace' tool (a brush with a circle) is your best friend. See a weird artifact in the corner? Select this tool, brush over it, and type what should be there (e.g., 'more bamboo'). It will regenerate just that section. Next, try the 'Motion Brush' (a wavy line icon). Brush over a part of the image, like the panda's arm, and adjust the motion strength slider. This adds subtle movement. I use this on static elements to bring them to life. You can also trim the clip's start/end by dragging its edges on the timeline.
Use a small brush size for the Erase tool for precise edits.
Step 5: Export Your Masterpiece and Understand Formats
To save your video, click the 'Export' button in the top right. A settings window appears. For web use (Instagram, TikTok), the default MP4, 1080p, and 24fps are perfect. The 'Free' watermark will be checked. You can only remove this on a paid plan, so leave it for now. Click 'Export Video'. It will process and download to your computer. I strongly recommend creating a 'Runway Exports' folder. The platform does not permanently store your high-res exports on the free plan indefinitely. Also, your project saves automatically in your dashboard under 'Projects'. You can return to edit it later, but each new edit or generation uses more credits.
Name your project descriptively in the top-left before exporting to find it later.
Step 6: Dive Deeper with Image-to-Video and Green Screen
Now that you've mastered text-to-video, explore two powerful free-tier features. First, 'Image to Video': Upload any photo, and Runway will animate it. The key is to use the 'Motion' sliders (like 'Zoom' or 'Pan') for controlled movement—it's more predictable than full AI animation. Second, find the 'Green Screen' tool under 'AI Tools'. Upload a video of yourself against a solid color wall. The AI will remove the background instantly. Then, you can generate a new AI background (like 'a cyberpunk cityscape') and place yourself inside it. This feature alone is a game-changer for creators and is shockingly good for an automated tool.
For Image to Video, use a high-resolution, well-lit photo for best results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using vague prompts like 'a cool landscape'. Be specific: 'a sunset over a rocky desert, photorealistic'.
Ignoring the credit counter and burning through all 125 free credits in one session. Set a limit per idea.
Expecting long, narrative videos. Runway excels at 4-18 second clips. Plan for short, impactful scenes.
Forgetting to download exports. Projects can be archived or deleted, and you could lose the final file.