# Overview

With the HeyGen v2 API, you can create videos using different types of avatars.

# Creating Videos with HeyGen API

This guide covers:

* **Photo Avatars** (Custom images)
* **Public Avatars** (HeyGen studio avatars)
* **Instant Avatars / Digital Twin** (Your own generated avatar)

You can choose which engine to use (`avatar III` or `avatar IV`) depending on your needs.

***

## 1. Photo Avatars

Photo Avatars let you generate videos from a static image.

### Step 1: Get Photo Avatar ID

If you already have a Photo Avatar ID, skip this step. Otherwise:

1. **Avatar Group**: Call [List All Avatar Groups](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-all-avatar-groups) to retrieve avatar groups.
2. **Avatar Look**: Call [List All Avatars in One Avatar Group](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-all-avatars-in-one-avatar-group) to choose a look.
   * Each look has a unique `id`, used as `talking_photo_id`.

### Step 2: Create Video

Call [Video Generation](https://docs.heygen.com/reference/create-an-avatar-video-v2) API:

* Set `character.type` to `talking_photo`.
* Provide `talking_photo_id`.

> You can use either the `avatar III` or `avatar IV` engine depending on desired quality or features.

***

## 2. Public Avatars

Public Avatars are HeyGen’s prebuilt avatars.

### Step 1: List Avatars and Voices

1. **Avatars**: Call [List All Avatars (V2)](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-avatars-v2) and choose a `avatar_id`.
2. **Voices**: Call [List All Voices (V2)](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-voices-v2) and choose a `voice_id`.

### Step 2: Create Video

You can proceed from this point by following the instructions on the [Video Generation](https://docs.heygen.com/reference/create-an-avatar-video-v2)  page or [Create a WebM Video](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/create-a-webm-video) Page. The process remains the same - just ensure that you update the `avatar_id` and `voice_id` fields with the values you've obtained.

***

## 3. Instant Avatars / Digital Twin

Instant Avatars are custom avatars you generate through HeyGen. They are sometimes referred to as Digital Twin because they are fully animated.

### Step 1: Generate an Instant Avatar

* Create your avatar on the [Create Instant Avatar](https://app.heygen.com/avatars/create-instant-avatar) page.
* Assign a **name** during creation.

### Step 2: Generate a Custom Voice (Optional)

* Go to the [Voices](https://app.heygen.com/voices) page.
* Options:
  * **Instant Voice Cloning** – clone an existing voice from an audio file.
  * **Generate Voice** – create a new voice from text.

### Step 3: Get IDs

* Use [List All Avatars (V2)](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-avatars-v2) to find your Instant Avatar `avatar_id`.
* Use [List All Voices (V2)](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/list-voices-v2) to get your custom `voice_id`.

<br />

### Step 4: Create Video

You can proceed from this point by following the instructions on the [Video Generation](https://docs.heygen.com/reference/create-an-avatar-video-v2)  page or [Create a WebM Video](https://movio-api.readme.io/reference/create-a-webm-video) Page. The process remains the same - just ensure that you update the `avatar_id` and `voice_id` fields with the values you've obtained.

***

## 4. Choosing an Engine

| Avatar Type                   | Supported Engine(s) | Notes                                       |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Photo Avatar                  | III, IV             | Depends on quality/features required        |
| Public Avatar                 | III, IV             | Studio avatars, ready-to-use                |
| Instant Avatar / Digital Twin | III, IV             | Supports full video animation, custom voice |

<br />