Running WAN 2.1 locally

How to Create AI Videos Locally with Pinokio AI and WAN 2.1

Ready to bring your creative ideas to life with AI-generated videos? This guide will walk you through installing Pinokio AI, setting up WAN 2.1, and creating your first video on your computer. Let’s dive in with curiosity—what kind of video do you want to make?

Part 1: Setting Up Pinokio AI

Pinokio AI makes installing complex tools like WAN 2.1 super easy, even if you’re new to AI. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Visit the Pinokio Website
   Head to the official Pinokio website (find the link in resources or search for “Pinokio AI”).
   Question: What’s the first thing you notice on the website? Does it feel beginner-friendly to you?

2. Download the Right Installer
   On the homepage, click the “Download” button and choose the version that matches your computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux). This guide uses Windows as an example.
   Question: Do you know which operating system your computer uses? If not, how might you check?

3. Install Pinokio AI
   Open the downloaded file to start the installer. Pick a folder to store Pinokio’s files (a default location like your Downloads folder works fine). Choose a theme to customize the look—light or dark, your choice! Click “Save” to finish.
   Question: Why might choosing a folder matter? What happens if you pick a location with limited storage space?

Part 2: Installing and Configuring WAN 2.1

Now that Pinokio AI is ready, let’s install WAN 2.1 to create your AI videos. This tool turns your ideas into videos, and we’ll tweak it to match your computer’s power.

1. Find WAN 2.1
   After Pinokio installs, click “Visit Discover Page” in the app. Search for “WAN 2.1” in the list of tools.
   Question: What other tools do you see on the Discover Page? Could any spark new project ideas?

2. Download and Install WAN 2.1
   Click “Download” next to WAN 2.1, then hit “Install” to let Pinokio automatically set up the necessary files. It’s designed to be beginner-friendly, so relax and let it do the work!
   Question: How does it feel to have an automated installation? What might happen if you had to install these files manually?

3. Set Up Video Settings
   In WAN 2.1, open the “Text to Video” menu from the sidebar. Adjust these settings for smooth performance:

   • Transformer Model & Text Encoder Model: Choose the 8-bit option (it’s lighter on your computer).

   • Attention Type: Set to “Auto.”

   • Compile Transformer: Turn OFF.

   • VAE Tiling: Set to 128×128 (think of this as breaking the video into manageable pieces).

   • Profile: Select “Very Low” (great for basic computers).
     Click “Apply Changes” to save.
     Example: For a laptop with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB VRAM), Intel Core i5, and 16GB RAM, these low settings work best. Check your computer’s specs to adjust if needed.
     Question: How do you think these settings affect your video’s quality or speed? What happens if you try higher settings on a basic computer?

Part 3: Creating Your First AI Video

Here’s the fun part—turning your ideas into a video! Let’s explore how to make it happen.

1. Write a Creative Prompt
   In the Prompt Bar, type a short description of your video idea (e.g., “a futuristic city at sunset”). Be creative!
   Question: What kind of scene inspires you? How detailed should your prompt be to get the best results?

2. Choose Video Settings
   Pick your video resolution (lower for faster results) and the number of frames (how long your video will be). Set the inference steps—more steps mean better quality but slower processing; fewer steps are quicker but less detailed.
   Question: How might you balance quality and speed? What’s more important for your first test—fast results or high detail?

3. Generate and Save Your Video
   Click “Generate” to start creating your video. Once it’s done, hit “Download” to save it.
   Note: On a basic computer, a 5-second video at low settings might take 2 hours. On a powerful setup (like a server with an NVIDIA Tesla A10G, 24GB VRAM), it could take just 5 minutes!
   Question: How long are you willing to wait for your video? Could tweaking settings make it faster?

Part 4: Testing and Sharing Your Experience

Your computer’s power affects how fast and detailed your videos are. Try generating a 5-second video and note how long it takes. Share your computer’s specs (like your GPU) and generation time in the comments to help others decide if they should run WAN 2.1 locally or try the online version.
Question: Why might some people prefer the online version? What benefits do you see in running it locally on your computer?