New AI Tool Turns Doodles into Video Clips

Runway's Motion Sketch feature lowers the barrier between imagination and video production, but still needs some refinement.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new feature from AI platform Runway called Motion Sketch allows users to generate short video clips from simple doodles. The tool interprets sketches of objects, animals, and scenes and animates them into surreal, sometimes glitchy video outputs. While impressive, the feature still requires some hand-holding and careful prompting to achieve desired results, similar to other generative AI tools.

Why it matters

Motion Sketch could mark a significant step forward for AI-generated video, making it more accessible for creative professionals who prefer to think visually rather than craft detailed written prompts. However, the tool's current limitations highlight the challenges of translating abstract imagination into concrete video outputs using AI.

The details

The new Motion Sketch feature from Runway allows users to create video clips by drawing simple doodles directly on top of an image. The tool then interprets the sketches and animates them, sometimes with unexpected or glitchy results. In testing, the feature performed best when users provided some additional text guidance alongside their doodles, but it still struggled with complex movements like a snake slithering. Runway says the tool is helpful for all types of users, as it allows people to get precise movement without needing to craft specific written prompts.

  • The Motion Sketch feature was announced by Runway on Tuesday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Runway

An AI platform that offers a variety of generative AI tools, including the new Motion Sketch feature.

Aditi Poduval

Runway's Product Manager, who stated that the Motion Sketch feature is helpful for all types of users and allows people to get precise movement without needing to craft specific written prompts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Runway plans to continue refining the Motion Sketch feature to improve its ability to accurately interpret complex doodles and animations.

The takeaway

While still imperfect, Runway's Motion Sketch feature represents an exciting new frontier for AI-generated video, lowering the barrier between abstract imagination and concrete video production. The tool's current limitations highlight the challenges of translating visual ideas into video, but also suggest the potential for future advancements in this area of generative AI.