ClipSketch AI: Transform Video Moments into Hand-Drawn Stories

This article aims to answer the core question: How can you use an AI-powered tool to quickly convert video content into hand-drawn storyboards and social media copy?

ClipSketch AI is a productivity tool designed specifically for video creators, social media managers, and fan fiction enthusiasts. It integrates AI technology to help users extract key frames from videos and generate artistic outputs, streamlining the content creation process. Below, we’ll explore its features, usage, and technical implementation in detail.

Image source: Project’s own resources

Project Overview

This section aims to answer the core question: What kind of tool is ClipSketch AI, and what content creation challenges does it solve?

ClipSketch AI is an AI-driven content creation workstation that parses video links from specific platforms and uses AI models to generate hand-drawn storyboards and copy. Its core function is to turn video moments into visual hand-drawn stories, helping users produce social media content efficiently.

In a real-world scenario, consider a social media manager creating a promotional post for Xiaohongshu: They capture highlights from a Bilibili video using ClipSketch AI to mark frames, then the AI automatically compiles them into a storyboard and generates three styles of copy, such as emotional storytelling. This significantly shortens the timeline from video sourcing to content publishing, eliminating the tedium of manual drawing and writing.

The tool supports multi-source video imports and high-definition playback, combined with a frame-level marking system to ensure precise content capture. Expanding on this, for fan creators, it means quickly extracting elements from favorite videos, blending custom characters, and producing unique storyboards. For instance, when handling an animation video, users mark multiple key frames, and the AI seamlessly converts them into a cute hand-drawn style, ideal for sharing on social platforms.

As the author’s reflection: During the development of this tool, I found that integrating multimodal AI models like Gemini can dramatically boost creation efficiency, but it also made me realize that usability is paramount—if the steps are too complicated, users will drop off. This insight comes from real testing, where user feedback highlighted the value of keyboard shortcuts and responsive design.

Interface Showcase

This section aims to answer the core question: How is ClipSketch AI’s interface designed to support efficient operations?

ClipSketch AI’s interface uses responsive design to adapt to various devices, ensuring smooth usage on PCs, tablets, or smartphones. The core layout optimizes for video aspect ratios, with vertical videos in 9:16 format and widescreen ones auto-adjusting.

Image source: Project’s own resources

In an application scenario, a user operates on a smartphone: The interface automatically switches to a top-bottom layout, with the video playing above and marking tools below, facilitating one-handed use. This is ideal for mobile creators, such as quickly tagging Bilibili video segments during a commute.

The interface includes a video playback area, marking list, and AI studio entry point. The playback area supports high-definition display, while the marking area shows timeline labels. Extending this: For widescreen devices, the layout expands horizontally to enhance multitasking efficiency. For example, a product manager on an iPad can play the video while viewing the marking list in real-time, avoiding window switches.

To enhance visual understanding, here’s an embedded free image related to responsive design:

Image source: Unsplash

Author’s unique insight: The process of optimizing the interface taught me that device adaptation isn’t optional—it’s a core competitive edge. Many users reported that mobile experience determines retention rates, stemming from lessons in actual iterations.

Core Features

This section aims to answer the core question: How do ClipSketch AI’s core features work together to support a complete workflow from video sourcing to content generation?

ClipSketch AI’s features revolve around video sourcing, frame-level marking, and an AI art studio, forming a closed-loop workflow. Here’s a detailed breakdown.

Image source: Project’s own resources

Video Sourcing Capabilities

This subsection aims to answer the core question: How do you import videos from Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, and achieve high-definition playback?

Video sourcing supports parsing sharing links from Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, including short links and mixed text. After import, the tool optimizes layouts adaptively based on video ratios to ensure high-definition playback.

In a scenario, a video creator copies a Xiaohongshu sharing link, pastes it into the input box, and clicks import. The tool automatically extracts the video source, supporting 9:16 vertical layouts to prevent distortion. Playback controls include spacebar for play/pause and left/right arrows for frame-by-frame or intelligent step adjustments.

Extended operation example: Suppose you’re processing a Bilibili tutorial video—import the link, then use arrow keys to fine-tune to a specific frame, like the 5-second demo shot. This is particularly useful in educational content repurposing, allowing precise capture of step details.

Frame-Level Marking System

This subsection aims to answer the core question: How do you precisely mark highlights in videos and export the data?

The frame-level marking system enables millisecond-accurate recording, with quick marking via the T key. It supports exporting TXT timeline labels or ZIP image packages.

Application scenario: A social media manager watches a video and spots a product showcase moment, pressing T to mark it. After marking, the list displays timestamps, editable or deletable by the user. Exporting as a ZIP package makes it easy to import into editing software later.

Detailed steps example:

1. Play the video to the target frame.
2. Press T or click the Tag button.
3. View the mark in the list, such as “00:05:23 – Product Close-Up”.
4. Click export and choose TXT or ZIP format.

This is efficient for batch processing, like tagging multiple highlights in a long video.

Author’s reflection: The shortcut key design for the marking system stems from observing user habits—many creators prefer keyboard operations, which reduces mouse interactions and improves flow.

AI Art Studio

This subsection aims to answer the core question: How do you use the Gemini model to generate hand-drawn storyboards and copy?

The AI studio employs the gemini-3-pro-image-preview model to integrate marked frames into cute hand-drawn style storyboards. It supports uploading custom characters for fusion and generates three copy styles: emotional storytelling, practical tutorial, and concise punchy. Additionally, it can create vertical video covers and support batch refinements.

Scenario example: A user marks several frames from a video, like the opening, middle, and climax. Entering the studio, the AI analyzes steps and generates the storyboard. If a custom avatar is uploaded, the AI blends it into the scenes, such as placing the user’s character at the storyboard’s center.

Copy generation process:

• ✦ Based on visual content, create emotional copy (e.g., narrating a product story).
• ✦ Practical type (e.g., step-by-step tutorials).
• ✦ Concise type (e.g., short promotions).

Batch mode uses Batch API to save costs. For example, refining split shots: Select multiple frames for bulk high-definition regeneration.

Cover generation draws from selected copy and original footage, outputting high-quality vertical images.

Operation example:

1. Enter the AI studio and paste the Gemini API Key.
2. Click creative analysis for AI-summarized video steps.
3. Upload a character image to generate a fused storyboard.
4. Select copy styles, generate, and copy.
5. Batch refine split shots and download results.

To illustrate AI-generated effects, here’s an embedded free image related to hand-drawn storyboards:

Image source: Pexels

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This subsection aims to answer the core question: How does ClipSketch AI ensure consistent operations across different devices?

Cross-platform compatibility uses responsive design, optimized for PC widescreen, iPad tablets, and smartphone vertical screens. On phones, it auto-switches to top-bottom layouts.

Scenario: An engineering user marks videos on a phone, with the layout adjusting to video on top and controls below for easy touch operations. This is practical for on-the-go content sourcing.

Extension: In tablet mode, the layout balances video and lists, suitable for product demos.

Author’s insight: The challenge of multi-device adaptation taught me that testing on real devices, not simulators, is essential—based on lessons from early bug fixes.

Quick Start

This section aims to answer the core question: How do you quickly install and launch ClipSketch AI?

Quick start requires Node.js v18+ and a Google Gemini API Key. Steps include cloning the project, installing dependencies, configuring the environment, and starting the server.

Detailed installation steps:

1. Clone the project:

   git clone https://github.com/RanFeng/clipsketch-ai.git
   cd clipsketch-ai
   

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install
   

3. Configure environment variables: Create a .env.local file in the root directory:

   GEMINI_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
   

4. Start the development server:

   npm run dev
   

5. Access: Open a browser at http://localhost:3000.

Scenario example: A first-time technical user follows the steps to set up locally and quickly test video imports. This is ideal for rapid prototyping validation.

Author’s reflection: Simplifying startup steps is crucial; user feedback showed me that environment setup is a common hurdle, hence emphasizing the .env file.

Usage Guide

This section aims to answer the core question: How do you operate ClipSketch AI end-to-end, from video import to content export?

The usage guide covers importing, marking, AI creation, and exporting. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.

1. Import video: Copy a Bilibili or Xiaohongshu link, paste into the home input box, and click “Import Video”. The tool parses links, supporting mixed text content.

   Example: Paste “Xiaohongshu share: Product trial video https://…”, click import, and the video loads.

2. Mark materials: Use spacebar to play, arrow keys to adjust, and T key to mark. The list displays mark points.

   Scenario: Mark each step in a tutorial video, like “Step 1: Prepare materials” at 00:01:00.

3. Enter AI studio: After marking, click the bottom of the list for “Next: AI Drawing”.

4. Create content:

   • ✦ Paste API Key (if not configured).
   • ✦ Creative analysis: AI summarizes video steps.
   • ✦ Image generation: Produce storyboards, optionally fusing custom characters.
   • ✦ Split shot refinement: Batch high-definition redrawing.
   • ✦ Copy and covers: Generate three copy types and covers.

   Example: Upload an avatar to create a character-fused storyboard; select emotional copy and copy for Xiaohongshu.

5. Export and share: Download images, covers, or packaged materials; one-click copy for selected copy.

Extended scenario: Full workflow for a Xiaohongshu post—from Bilibili video import, marking 5 frames, AI-generated storyboard and copy, to export and share.

To visualize operations, here’s an embedded free image related to video editing:

Image source: Pixabay

Author’s unique insight: The step-by-step guide stems from understanding user pain points—many beginners get stuck on AI setup, which led me to highlight the Key paste option.

Technology Stack

This section aims to answer the core question: What technologies does ClipSketch AI use to implement its features?

The technology stack includes React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Google GenAI SDK, and more. Here’s a summary table:

Component	Description	Application Scenario
React 19	Core framework	Building interactive interfaces, like video playback and marking lists.
TypeScript	Type safety	Ensuring code reliability, e.g., avoiding type errors in API responses.
Tailwind CSS	Styling solution	Implementing responsive layouts, auto-adjusting on phones.
Google GenAI SDK (@google/genai)	AI integration	Calling Gemini models for storyboard and copy generation.
Lucide React	Icon library	Displaying button icons, such as the Tag button.
JSZip	Packaging downloads	Exporting ZIP image packages.
Canvas API	Screenshot capture	Capturing images from video frames.
IndexedDB	Local storage	Persisting marking data.

In a scenario, React handles state, updating marking lists during video playback. TypeScript prevents bugs in development, like API Key type checks.

Extension: The GenAI SDK is used for multimodal calls, such as passing frame images to generate storyboards. In batch mode, it optimizes costs via Batch API.

Author’s reflection: Choosing this stack taught me the importance of compatibility—early SDK version issues led me to switch to stable ones.

Precautions

This section aims to answer the core question: What potential issues should you watch for when using ClipSketch AI?

Precautions include API permissions and cross-origin playback. For AI usage, ensure the API Key accesses the gemini-3-pro-image-preview model; if a 403 error occurs, check Google Cloud settings.

Cross-origin: The tool uses proxies and no-referrer policies to support external videos.

Scenario: If facing a 403, verify project permissions; for playback issues, confirm link validity.

Author’s insight: These precautions are based on real deployment experiences, reminding users to configure ahead to avoid frustration.

Conclusion

ClipSketch AI enhances video creation through AI integration, boosting efficiency. Its core value lies in the closed-loop from sourcing to generation, making it suitable for technical readers to produce content quickly.

Practical Summary / Action Checklist

• ✦ Installation: Clone, npm install, configure .env, npm run dev.
• ✦ Usage: Import links, mark frames, AI generate, export.
• ✦ Optimization: Use shortcuts, batch mode to save costs.

One-Page Quick View (One-Page Summary)

ClipSketch AI: AI tool for video to hand-drawn conversion.

• ✦ Features: Sourcing (Bilibili/Xiaohongshu), marking (T key), AI generation (storyboards/copy/covers).
• ✦ Tech: React/TypeScript/Tailwind/Gemini.
• ✦ Startup: Node 18+, API Key.
• ✦ Notes: Permission checks, cross-origin strategies.
• ✦ Value: Simplifies social content creation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which video platforms does ClipSketch AI support?

ClipSketch AI supports parsing sharing links from Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, including short links and mixed text, ensuring easy video imports from these platforms.

2. How do you configure the Gemini API Key?

Configure the Gemini API Key by creating a .env.local file in the project root and entering GEMINI_API_KEY=your_api_key_here; if not set in the environment, paste it directly in the AI studio’s top-right corner for use.

3. How do you export marked frames?

After marking frames, export as TXT timeline labels or package them as a ZIP image bundle by clicking the corresponding export button.

4. What style are the AI-generated storyboards?

AI-generated storyboards use a cute hand-drawn style, leveraging the gemini-3-pro-image-preview model to integrate multiple marked frames into a cohesive, adorable hand-drawn storyboard.

5. Does the tool support mobile operations?

Yes, ClipSketch AI employs responsive design for perfect adaptation to smartphone vertical screens, automatically switching to top-bottom layouts for convenient mobile use.

6. What to do if you encounter an API 403 error?

If you encounter a 403 error, check your Google Cloud project settings to ensure the API Key has access to the gemini-3-pro-image-preview model.

7. How does batch refinement save costs?

Batch refinement supports Batch API operations to reduce costs; users can configure batch mode for high-definition redrawing of each frame.

8. What is IndexedDB used for in the tech stack?

IndexedDB is used for local state persistence, such as saving marking data and user configurations, ensuring data remains available even after closing the browser.