What Is Draft (Sample Mode) in Seedance2.5? What Are Its Advantages?
The prompt is ready, the reference materials are prepared, and only after the video is generated do you realize that the character’s actions do not match expectations and the camera direction is also off. For AI video creators, this kind of repeated trial and error often takes up a lot of time and budget.
Draft sample mode adds a preview step to video creation. Creators can first check whether the content matches their idea, then decide whether to generate the high-definition final video.
What Is Draft Sample Mode?
Draft, also called sample mode, is a two-step video generation method:
- Step one: generate a low-resolution preview video based on the prompt and reference materials;
- Step two: after confirming the preview result, use the corresponding Draft task ID to generate a high-quality final video.
Taking Seedance 2.5 as an example, the sample stage outputs a 480p video, and when generating the formal video based on the sample, it outputs 1080p. The two stages are linked through a task ID, making it easier for creators to continue turning the selected option into a final video.
What Should You Focus on When Previewing a Sample?
A sample is best suited for checking the overall performance of the video.
For example, you want the camera to slowly push in from a wide shot, and the character to turn around and then pick up a cup from the table. During the preview, you can focus on whether the camera pushes in, whether the sequence of turning around and picking up the cup is correct, and whether the spatial relationship between the character and the table is reasonable.
Scene structure, camera staging, subject movement, and prompt expression are the main things to check during the sample stage. As for skin texture, small text, and the surface texture of products, these are better reviewed carefully during the high-definition final video stage.
This phased checking method can help creators discover directional problems earlier.
What Will Be Preserved When Upgrading a Sample to a Final Video?
According to the official description, when generating the formal video, the platform automatically reuses key parameters used by the sample, such as the prompt, reference materials, random seed, audio settings, duration, and aspect ratio, in order to keep the key video elements consistent.
This also means that after the sample is confirmed, you cannot modify the prompt or duration while generating the final video. If you need to adjust the creative idea, you should first modify the input and regenerate the sample.
At the same time, consistency of key elements does not mean that every detail in every frame will be exactly the same. After the high-definition final video is complete, you should still check character details, action continuity, and image stability.
Does Draft Mode Always Save Money?
Its cost advantage mainly comes from screening options in advance.
The 480p sample in Seedance 2.5 uses the same token usage and unit pricing rules as a regular 480p video, while the formal video is charged separately according to normal inference pricing. Therefore, a sample is not a free preview.
If the creation process requires multiple adjustments to camera movement or action, using samples first to eliminate unsuitable options may reduce waste from high-definition generation. If one generation can already meet the need, the two-step workflow will add an extra sample cost.
Who Is Sample Mode Suitable For?
Short-video creators who need to compare multiple creative ideas, e-commerce teams that care about product display actions, and advertising production teams that need to confirm camera plans in advance can all consider adding Draft to their workflow.
It gives creators one more opportunity to judge the content before investing in high-definition generation. For AI video creation that often requires repeated attempts, this preview step has practical value.
Source: official Seedance 2.5 sample mode documentation. For model support scope, parameters, and billing rules, please refer to the platform’s latest documentation.
Contains AI-generated information that may be incorrect. Please verify independently.