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Guide: save Runway image references before starting a new session

Runway’s Gen-4 References uploads are temporary unless saved with a name. Tag a reference to reuse it across sessions; each generation accepts up to three. Documentation-based; not hands-on tested.

Guide date 3 linked sources

AI-written, with links to the original sources. The guide date describes the underlying event; an individual source-check date is not recorded separately. Hands-on testing is claimed only where explicitly described. Availability and instructions may change.

SAVE YOUR REFERENCES — editorial illustration: A stack of photo reference cards secured with a paper clip.
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The guidance

In the web dashboard, open Generate Image, select Gen-4 and enable References. Uploads stay in the current session unless saved: hover over an image, choose tag to save, enter a name and press Enter. Load up to three saved references; use @ in your prompt to select their names. [R1][R3]

For complex edits, Runway recommends changing elements individually and reusing preferred outputs as new references. This guide covers existing functionality checked in documentation today; September 7 is the guide date, not a release date. Documentation-based; not hands-on tested. [R1]

Runway says References are available to all users. Its Gen-4 Image documentation lists 5 credits per 720p image or 8 per 1080p image. Availability does not mean unlimited free generation; no account or regional access was tested. [R2][R3]

Source notes

Primary documents, company announcements and research are identified below. A company claim is not an independent test.

  1. [R1] Creating with Gen-4 Image References
    Runway · Publication date not stated · official-documentation
  2. [R2] Why don’t I see Custom Elements in my dashboard?
    Runway · Publication date not stated · official-support-documentation
  3. [R3] Creating with Gen-4 Image
    Runway · Publication date not stated · official-documentation

Publication & updates

First published in the 7 September 2026 edition. This guide keeps the same URL when its content is revised.

Edition version 2 · Edition last updated 12 September 2026. Edition updates may concern other articles and do not establish when this guide was last checked.

Edition update history

— Added or refreshed article covers in the AI Daywire editorial style, with short text hooks. Illustrations are AI-assisted; reporting text is unchanged.

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