Whiteboard animation FAQ
What people ask before turning a finished picture into a whiteboard animation clip: pictures, export, pricing, commercial use and the API.
The product
How long does a drawing take?
About fifteen seconds before it starts to draw. The video is as long as you choose, and saving it takes a few seconds more.
Watch an example drawnDo I need to install anything?
No. It runs in a desktop browser — Chrome, Edge or Safari. Phones can watch; saving the video needs a desktop for now.
Open StudioCan it make a whiteboard animation from text or a script?
No. It draws a finished picture you bring; it does not make a picture from text or write a script. Make the picture first, with an image tool or by hand, then upload it.
How to prepare a pictureDoes it make a complete explainer video?
No: it makes the drawing clip. Voice-over, music and your other scenes go together in your own editor, where the clip sits on a track like any footage.
Use the clip in your editorHow is it different from VideoScribe?
VideoScribe is a full whiteboard video editor: scenes, text, stock images, voice-over and music on one timeline, and its hand-drawn style needs SVG artwork. We do one part of that: we draw a finished PNG, JPEG or WebP picture by hand, line art first and then colour, and you finish the video in your own editor.
Compare with VideoScribePictures
What do I need to upload?
One finished picture — PNG, JPEG or WebP, up to 10 MB. Illustrations, diagrams and flat artwork work best.
See pictures we have drawnWhat pictures draw best?
Illustrations, diagrams and flat artwork with clear outlines. Photos and busy textures work, but they draw less cleanly.
See pictures we have drawnWhat size should my picture be?
Up to 10 MB. Pictures are drawn at up to 1920 px on the long side on a paid plan or after buying credits, 1024 px on the free plan; Studio scales a larger picture down in your browser before uploading.
Compare plansExport
What formats and sizes can I export?
MP4 or WebM on paper or a solid colour; WebM with alpha or a PNG sequence on a transparent background. 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 or the picture’s own shape, at 720p, 1080p or the picture’s own size.
Export formats in detailCan I export with a transparent background?
Yes, on Pro: a WebM with alpha or a PNG sequence, or every layer as its own clip. Every plan can export on a green screen for your editor’s chroma key.
Transparent exportCan I change or remove the hand?
Yes. Choose one of six hands, or none, at any time: the hand is laid over the drawing, so switching it never redraws the picture or costs credits.
Hand stylesDoes exporting cost credits?
No. Credits pay for drawing a picture; every export of that drawing renders in your browser and is free.
Pricing and credits
Can I make a whiteboard animation for free?
Yes. A new account starts with 5 free credits, and one credit draws one picture. Free exports carry a watermark and are at most 720p. Buying any credit pack lifts both limits for good. Paid plans add credits every month, and credit packs last 90 days.
Plans and credit packsCan I get a refund?
If a drawing fails, its credits come back automatically. You can cancel any time from Billing & plan; your plan stays active until the end of the period you paid for. If a charge looks wrong or something didn’t work, email hello@celados.com within 14 days and we’ll make it right, including a refund.
Terms of ServiceDo you keep my pictures?
Anything you drew before pricing launched is kept for good. On the free plan, a newer drawing leaves your library 7 days after you last work on it (hidden, not deleted); paid plans keep every drawing. Only you can see them.
Compare plansWhat does a credit buy?
One credit draws one picture, whatever its length or settings. If a drawing fails, its credit comes back automatically.
Plans and credit packsCommercial use
Can I use the clips commercially?
Pro includes a commercial licence: use your clips in client work, ads and paid courses. Free and Starter clips are for personal and non-commercial use.
Compare plansWhere are the full terms?
In the Terms of Service: plans, credits, refunds, your content and commercial use.
Terms of ServiceAPI and agents
Is there an API?
Yes. A workspace creates API keys at Studio → API; with a key, a script uploads a picture, starts a drawing and polls until it is done. It returns the drawing, not an MP4: video export runs in a browser.
DevelopersCan my AI agent make whiteboard animations?
Yes. Give Claude Code, Codex or Cursor the prompt on the developers page, with your key in the WHITEBOARD_API_KEY environment variable: it reads llms.txt and draws a folder of pictures through the API.
Set up your agentBring a finished picture
Upload a PNG, JPEG or WebP and it starts drawing in about fifteen seconds.