Segment Versions: Switching Back to an Earlier Take, Callback Clips, and Which Version Downloads and Composites

Quick answer: A segment is not overwritten when you regenerate it: each take is stored as a version, and one of them is active. The active version is what plays in the preview, what downloads, what the share link shows and what the composite joins. Switch between versions from the segment’s version control, at no cost. A segment the storyboard marks as a callback to an earlier shot reuses that clip automatically, also free. Deleting a segment removes all of its versions.

Still from “Rust City Knockout”, an AI short drama generated end-to-end by SceneMixer (6 characters, 1 episode) — Sample: “Rust City Knockout” — Painterly Anime, 1 episode, produced end-to-end by SceneMixer from the script · watch the episodes

Regenerate any segment once, then open its version control: both takes are there with their tiers and dates; click the older one to make it active.

Where versions live

On the timeline card and in the preview pane there is a version control once a segment has more than one take. It lists every generation with its tier, its length and when it was made. Click one to make it active; the thumbnail, the preview and the price history all follow. Nothing is generated by switching. The card’s other icons: Timeline Cards: Every Icon.

The episode timeline: every segment as a card with its thumbnail and duration — Every generation of a segment is kept; the version control on the card switches which one is active.

What the active version decides

Preview: what plays when you select the segment. Download: the original and play files of the active take. Share: the link plays the active take; switching versions changes what viewers see. Composite: the episode is joined from each segment’s active version at the time you press composite. So you can keep a 480P draft active on one segment while others are at 1080P, and composite later once you have upgraded it. Composite and Share an Episode.

Callback segments reuse a clip

When an episode ends by returning to its opening shot, the storyboard can mark that final segment as a callback to the earlier one. Pressing generate on it copies the earlier segment’s clip instead of generating: it becomes this segment’s active version, at no charge. Generate the earlier segment first; until it has a clip, the callback is refused with a message saying so. The callback segment’s own text does not change what the clip shows. There is no picker for reusing a clip on any other segment; a repeated shot is generated like any segment.

Versions and regenerated storyboards

Regenerating an episode’s storyboard rebuilds its segments, and versions belong to segments; when the segments are replaced the old clips are no longer attached. Composite or download what you want to keep before regenerating a storyboard. Editing a single segment’s text keeps its versions. Re-parse an Episode: What You Lose and What You Keep.

Sample projects

In sample projects visitors see one version per segment, the one chosen for the sample; the version control is not shown there. Your own projects always show every version to you.

Action	Cost	Effect
Regenerate	Per second of the tier	New version, becomes active
Switch active version	Free	Preview, download, share and composite follow
Generate a callback segment	Free	The earlier segment's clip becomes this segment's active version
Delete the segment	Free	All versions removed

FAQ

Is there a limit on versions?

No count limit. Versions that are not active and are older than 90 days are removed; the active one stays until the segment is deleted.

Which version does the composite use?

The one active on each segment when you press composite.

Can I download an older version?

Make it active, then download; or use the version control's own download where shown.

Does switching versions change the share link?

The link stays; what it plays follows the active version.

Do versions survive a storyboard regeneration?

No. Segments are rebuilt and old clips are detached. Composite first.

Switch back instead of regenerating

Switching and downloading an earlier take generate nothing new.

Open the editor

Updated October 2, 2026