Bible Digital Media Widget

Your complete guide to generating AI scripture images, narration audio, video clips, and creating finished ministry videos with the Timeline Editor.

Last updated: March 2026 · All features use credits

Getting Started The Interface Settings Panel Generate Image Image Variation Generate Narration Narration with Music Generate Video Media Gallery Slide Backgrounds Timeline Editor Credit Costs FAQ

🚀 Getting Started

All Bible Digital Media features use credits. Image generation, narration, video generation, image variations, and Timeline Editor exports all deduct credits from your account. Check your credit balance before you begin.

The Bible Digital Media Widget is HolyExplorer's media creation studio. It allows you to:

Generate AI-powered scripture images from any Bible passage
Create image variations to explore different artistic styles
Generate narration audio (spoken text-to-speech) from scripture
Create Narration with Music — AI-composed background music mixed with spoken narration
Animate your scripture images into video clips
Assemble all your media into a finished ministry video using the Timeline Editor
Export a professional MP4 video ready for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms

What You Need

An active HolyExplorer account with available credits
A supported web browser (any modern desktop or mobile browser)

How to Access It

Log in to your HolyExplorer account at dev.holyexplorer.com
Navigate to Account → App, then click the Bible Digital Media tab
Or go directly: dev.holyexplorer.com/account/#app/bible-digital-media

New user tip: The recommended first project is simple — generate one scripture image, then generate narration for the same passage, then use the Timeline Editor to combine them into a short video. The step-by-step workflow in the Timeline Editor section walks you through this.

🖥️ The Interface

The Bible Digital Media tab has three main areas:

Left edge toggles — two small tab buttons on the left edge for quick access to Settings and the Timeline Editor
Main content area — the central panel where your generated media appears. It shows the Current Generation Preview (your latest generated asset) and the action buttons below it
Media Asset Gallery — shows all your generated assets for the current session, organized into Images, Video, and Audio tabs

The Two Edge Toggles

Two thin toggle buttons appear on the left edge of the widget when the Bible Digital Media tab is active:

⚙️ Settings toggle (top)
Opens and closes the Digital Media Settings Panel — where you configure your scripture passage, denomination, image style, and aspect ratio before generating.

🎬 Timeline Editor toggle (lower)
Opens and closes the full Timeline Editor — the video assembly and export workspace where you combine images, video clips, and audio into a finished video.

The Current Generation Preview Panel

The large panel in the centre of the interface shows your most recently generated asset — whether that is a scripture image, a video clip, or an audio waveform. This is your working preview.

Below the preview, a row of action buttons lets you take the next step with that asset: generate a video from an image, create a variation, generate narration, download the asset, or send it to the Timeline Editor.

Tip: The preview panel only shows the last thing you generated. Your complete collection of all generated assets is always available in the Media Asset Gallery tabs (Images, Video, Audio) below the preview.

⚙️ The Settings Panel

Click the Settings edge toggle (⚙️) on the left to open the Settings Panel. Configure all four fields before generating — they control both what scripture appears in the image and how it looks.

1. Scripture Selection

Two dropdowns let you choose your passage:

Field	What It Does
Book	Selects the Bible book. Includes a "Search books…" field — start typing to filter the list.
Chapter	Selects the chapter number within the chosen book.

2. Image Generation Settings

Two additional settings control the image style:

Field	What It Does
Denomination	Shapes the theological tone of the generated image. Options: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical, Non-Denominational.

3. Aspect Ratio

Choose the output dimensions to match your intended platform:

Aspect Ratio	Best For
16:9 (Landscape)	YouTube, Facebook videos, widescreen presentations
9:16 (Portrait)	Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, mobile video
1:1 (Square)	Instagram posts, Facebook posts
4:3 (Standard)	Presentations, older display formats
3:4 (Portrait standard)	Print-style layouts, Pinterest

Tip: Choose your aspect ratio before generating your first image — all images, video clips, and Timeline Editor exports should use a consistent ratio throughout a single project.

🖼️ Generating a Scripture Image

A scripture image is the foundation of everything in the Bible Digital Media Widget. It is a full AI-generated illustration inspired by the themes, setting, and message of your chosen Bible passage.

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings Panel with the ⚙️ edge toggle
Select your Book and Chapter
Select a Denomination
Choose an Aspect Ratio
Click the large green Start Workflow button at the bottom of the Settings Panel
The Settings Panel closes and the main area shows a progress indicator. Generation typically takes 30–90 seconds
When complete, the image appears in the Current Generation Preview panel

Generation complete. Your image is automatically saved to the Images tab of the Media Asset Gallery. It remains available for the rest of your session, even if you generate more images afterward.

After generation, the action buttons below the preview let you:

Generate Video — animate this image into a video clip
Create Variation — generate a new image based on the same passage with a different interpretation
Generate Narration — create a spoken TTS audio narration for this passage
Narration with Music — create narration with AI-composed background music
Download — save the image to your device

Credit cost: Image generation uses approximately 118 credits.

🔄 Create Image Variation

The Create Variation button generates a new AI image for the same scripture passage — using the same settings but with a different artistic interpretation. It gives you visual alternatives without having to reconfigure your settings.

How It Works

Generate an initial scripture image
Click the Create Variation button below the Current Generation Preview
A new image generates using the same book, chapter, denomination, model, and aspect ratio
The variation appears in the Current Generation Preview and is saved to the Images tab of the gallery

You can generate as many variations as you like — all are saved in the Images gallery tab and can be dragged into the Timeline Editor at any time.

Credit cost: Each image variation uses approximately the same credits as a new image generation (~118 credits). Each variation is an independent AI generation request.

🎙️ Generate Narration

The Generate Narration feature creates an AI text-to-speech audio file of your scripture passage — spoken in a clear, reverent voice. This audio can be used as the narration track in your Timeline Editor video.

Narration Settings

Setting	Details
Narration text	A text area appears with the scripture passage pre-filled. You can edit the text before generating — for example, adding a scripture reference at the start, or removing verse numbers. Maximum 3,000 characters.
Voice Gender	Choose Male or Female narration voice.

Step-by-Step

Generate a scripture image (required first)
Click Generate Narration below the Current Generation Preview
A narration panel opens — review or edit the pre-filled text
Choose Male or Female voice
Click Generate
When complete, the audio file appears in the Audio tab of the Media Asset Gallery

Narration generation typically completes in 30–60 seconds. The resulting MP3 file can be dragged into the Audio Track of the Timeline Editor.

🎵 Narration with Music

Narration with Music combines spoken scripture narration with an original AI-composed background music track — mixed together into a single professionally balanced audio file. This is the most complete audio option available in the widget.

Additional Settings

Setting	Details
Music Style	10 styles to match the tone of the passage. See the full list below.
Narration Type	Narrated (spoken word only) or Singing (the scripture is sung rather than spoken).
Voice Gender	Male or Female voice.

Available Music Styles

Music Style	Best For
Sacred Ambient	Meditative, contemplative passages (Psalms, Beatitudes)
Peaceful Hymn	Traditional, reverent tone; classic hymn instrumentation
Gospel	Uplifting, soulful; celebratory scripture readings
Christian Rock	Energetic, contemporary worship style
Orchestral Cinematic	Dramatic, powerful passages (Revelation, Exodus)
Gregorian Chant	Ancient, monastic atmosphere; Catholic tradition
Folk Worship	Acoustic, intimate; Psalms and Proverbs
Contemporary Worship	Modern church sound; accessible and warm
Classical Piano	Elegant and refined; meditative Epistles passages
Ambient Electronic	Modern, atmospheric; contemplative passages

Processing time: Narration with Music takes longer than plain narration — typically 3–10 minutes — because the AI composes an original music track alongside the spoken audio. The job runs in the background; you can use other features while it processes. Check the Audio tab of the gallery when it completes.

🎬 Generate Video

The Generate Video feature animates your scripture image into a short video clip. This gives your content motion — subtle camera movement, atmospheric animation — making it significantly more dynamic than a static image alone.

Video Settings

Setting	Options
Resolution	720p (standard) or 1080p (high definition)
Duration	5 seconds or 10 seconds

Credit Cost

Setting	Approximate Credits
720p · 5 seconds	~250 credits
720p · 10 seconds	~500 credits
1080p · 5 seconds	~350 credits
1080p · 10 seconds	~700 credits

Step-by-Step

Generate a scripture image
Click Generate Video below the Current Generation Preview (or click a specific image in the Images gallery tab)
Select your Resolution and Duration
Click Generate — the job is submitted to the video provider
Generation takes 2–8 minutes. A progress indicator appears in the Video tab of the gallery
When complete, the video clip appears in the Video tab and can be dragged into the Timeline Editor

Payment required for download: Generated video clips require payment (credit deduction) before you can download or export them. The credits are deducted when you confirm download. The video URL is not accessible until billing is confirmed.

🗂️ Media Asset Gallery

The Media Asset Gallery is the persistent collection of everything you have generated in the current session. It is displayed below the Current Generation Preview and has three tabs:

Tab	Contains	Drag Into Timeline
Images	All scripture images and image variations generated this session	Drag to Media (visual) track
Video	All generated video clips (with status: processing or complete)	Drag to Media (visual) track
Audio	All narration and Narration with Music files generated this session	Drag to Audio track

Clicking any asset in the gallery loads it into the Current Generation Preview panel, where you can see it at full size, download it, or take further action (such as generating a video from an image in the gallery).

24-hour window: Generated assets are stored for 24 hours. After that, they are permanently deleted. Download any assets you want to keep before they expire.

🌅 Slide Background Library

The Slide Background Library is a curated collection of professional biblical background images — suitable for title cards, closing cards, and lower-third overlays in your videos. All backgrounds are platform-provided and do not cost credits to use.

Access the library from within the Timeline Editor — it appears as a separate tab or panel alongside the Media Asset Gallery when you are building your video. Drag any background image directly into the Media track to use it as a clip.

Key Features

Curated selection — professionally chosen images suited to biblical and ministry content
Adjustable opacity — each background has preset opacity options (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) so you can use them as subtle atmospheric backgrounds or full-intensity visuals
Free to use — no credits are deducted when you drag a background into the Timeline Editor

Recommended use: Start your video with a Slide Background Library image as a title card (4–5 seconds), add a text overlay with the scripture reference, then cut to your generated scripture image or video clip. End with another background as a closing card.

🎞️ The Timeline Editor

The Timeline Editor is a full video assembly workspace built into the Bible Digital Media Widget. Open it by clicking the 🎬 Timeline Editor edge toggle on the left side of the widget.

In the Timeline Editor, you arrange your generated media assets into a sequence, add transitions between clips, write text overlays, set audio levels, and export the finished video as an MP4 file.

Timeline Editor Layout

Toolbar (top) — Project management (New, Save, Load, Rename), Undo/Redo, Export Aspect Ratio selector, and the Export Video button
Visual Track (Media) — the main row where image and video clips are placed in sequence, left to right
Audio Track — a row below Media for your narration or music audio files
Text Overlays panel — a side panel or section where you create and manage on-screen text
Clips Section — click any clip on the timeline to open its settings (duration, transitions, volume)
Play / Pause — previews the full timeline so you can review your video before exporting
Duration display — shows the current total video length in seconds

Undo and Redo

The Timeline Editor fully supports undo and redo:

Undo: Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac)
Redo: Press Ctrl+Y (Windows) or Cmd+Y (Mac)
Or use the Undo / Redo buttons in the Toolbar

Undo covers: adding and removing clips, changing clip durations, adding text overlays, changing transitions, and adjusting volume levels.

Step-by-Step: Building Your First Video

Generate assets

Create a scripture image, narration audio, and optionally a video clip before opening the Timeline Editor.

Start or load project

Click New Project to start fresh, or Load to continue a previously saved project.

Add visual clips

Drag images or video clips from the Media Asset Gallery or Slide Background Library into the Media track.

Set clip duration

Click a clip to open its settings. Set the duration (in seconds) so total visual length matches your audio length.

Add audio

Drag a narration or music file from the Audio tab into the Audio track.

Add transitions

Click between clips to add transitions (Fade, Dissolve, Wipe, etc.) and set the transition speed.

Add text overlays

Open the Text Overlays panel. Click Add Overlay, type your text, set the position, font size, color, and timing.

Preview

Press Play to review the full timeline. Check sync, transitions, overlay readability, and total duration.

Save project

Click Save (or use Ctrl+S). Projects are saved to your account and can be reloaded later.

Set export ratio

Choose the export aspect ratio in the Toolbar. Match it to your image dimensions (e.g., 16:9 for landscape).

Export Final Cut

Click Export Video. The render job queues. Check the Final Cut Queue for progress. Download when complete.

Transitions

12 transition types are available between clips:

Transition	Effect
Cut	Instant switch between clips (no transition)
Fade	Smooth fade through black between clips
Dissolve	Gradual blend (one clip fades into the next)
Wipe Left / Right / Up / Down	One clip slides out while the next slides in
Zoom In / Zoom Out	Dramatic scale transition
Rotate	Rotation effect between clips
Flip Horizontal / Flip Vertical	Mirror flip transition

Each transition also has a Speed setting: Fastest (0.3s), Fast (0.5s), Medium (0.75s), Slow (1.5s). Choose Slow or Medium for a reverent, calm feel. Fast works well for contemporary or energetic content.

Text Overlays

Text overlays appear on screen at a specific time during the video. Each overlay has:

Text content — the message to display
Position — Top, Center, or Bottom of the frame
Font Size — Small, Medium, or Large
Color — text color
Start Time — when the overlay first appears (seconds from the start)
Duration — how long the overlay is visible

Export: Final Cut Video

When you are satisfied with your timeline, click Export Video to begin the Final Cut render:

Click Export Video in the Toolbar
Confirm the export — a job is queued in the Final Cut Queue
The render processes in the background — you can check back at any time
The Final Cut Queue shows: job status (Queued → Processing → Complete) and progress percentage
When status shows Complete, click Download to save the finished MP4 to your device

Output format: The exported file is an MP4 video, compatible with YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, email, and virtually any device or platform.

Maximum video length: 5 minutes (300 seconds).

Export credits: Approximately 10 credits per minute of video. A 1-minute video costs ~10 credits; a 5-minute video costs ~50 credits.

Project Management

New Project — starts a fresh empty timeline
Save — saves the current project to your account (Ctrl+S)
Load — opens a previously saved project
Rename — changes the project name

Projects are stored as structured data in your account and can be reloaded in future sessions. However, media assets (images, audio, video clips) stored in your session gallery expire after 24 hours. If you reload a project after its assets have expired, you will need to regenerate the media.

💳 Credit Costs at a Glance

All Bible Digital Media features use credits from your account balance. The table below summarises approximate costs:

Feature	Approximate Credits
Generate Scripture Image	~118 credits
Create Image Variation	~118 credits
Generate Narration (TTS)	Varies by text length
Narration with Music	Varies by length and music style
Generate Video — 720p / 5s	~250 credits
Generate Video — 720p / 10s	~500 credits
Generate Video — 1080p / 5s	~350 credits
Generate Video — 1080p / 10s	~700 credits
Final Cut Export	~10 credits / minute of video

To purchase credits or check your balance, visit the Credits, Billing & Subscriptions Guide or go to Account → Billing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits does it cost to create a complete video? +

A complete project — one scripture image (~118 credits), one video clip at 720p/10s (~500 credits), one narration audio (variable), and a 1-minute Final Cut export (~10 credits) — costs approximately 630–700 credits in total. A more elaborate project with multiple images, variations, and a longer export will cost more. Check your credit balance before starting a large project.

How long does image generation take? +

Most scripture images generate in 30–90 seconds. A progress indicator is shown in the main area while the image is generating.

How long does video clip generation take? +

Video clip generation typically takes 2–8 minutes depending on resolution and duration. The job runs in the background — you can continue using other features (generating images, narration) while it processes. Check the Video tab of the Media Asset Gallery for the completed clip.

Why does my video generation job show as failed or disappear? +

Video generation occasionally fails due to provider availability. If a job disappears without completing, click Generate Video again on the same image to resubmit. If it fails a second time, try at a different time of day as generation queues can be busy. Contact support if failures continue.

Can I use the Timeline Editor without generating an image first? +

Yes. The Timeline Editor accepts any compatible media. You can drag slide background images from the Slide Background Library straight into the Media track without generating a scripture image. However, animated video clips must be generated from a scripture image using the Generate Video feature first.

My generated assets disappeared from the gallery. Why? +

Generated assets (images, video clips, audio files) are stored for 24 hours. If you leave and return after that window, the assets will have been deleted. You will need to regenerate them. Save your Timeline Editor project and download any assets you want to keep before they expire.

Why is the Export Video button grayed out? +

The Export button is disabled for two reasons: (1) you have not added any clips to the Media track yet — add at least one image or video clip to the timeline; or (2) the total video duration exceeds the 5-minute (300-second) maximum. Check the duration display in the Toolbar. If it shows 0s, add clips to the timeline first.

My audio sounds out of sync with the video in the exported Final Cut. What went wrong? +

This usually means the audio clip starts at a different time than the visual clip, or the visual clips do not cover the full length of the narration. In the Clips Section, check the Start Time of your audio clip — it should be 0 (or whenever you want narration to begin). Also make sure the total duration of your visual clips matches the narration length. Adjust clip durations and re-export.

What is the maximum video length I can export? +

The maximum video length for a Final Cut export is 5 minutes (300 seconds). If your timeline exceeds this, the Export Video button will be disabled. Trim your clips or remove content to bring the duration under 5 minutes.

What file format is the exported video? +

All Final Cut exports are delivered as MP4 files. MP4 is compatible with YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, email, and virtually every device and editing application.

Can I add my own audio file to the Timeline Editor? +

Yes. In the Audio Track section of the Timeline Editor, there is a Browse Files (or upload) button that lets you import your own audio file from your device. Supported formats include MP3, WAV, and M4A. Your uploaded file is placed on Audio Track 2, so it can be used alongside or instead of a generated narration.

How do I make the image clip duration match my narration audio? +

Click the image clip on the Media track to open its settings in the Clips Section. There you will find a Duration field where you can enter the number of seconds you want the clip to display. Set this to match the length of your narration audio. For example, if your narration is 42 seconds, set the image clip to 42 seconds. If you have multiple clips, the total of all clip durations should equal the narration length.

My Narration with Music job has been processing for a long time. Is it stuck? +

Narration with Music typically takes 3–10 minutes because the AI is composing an original music track in addition to the spoken narration. If the job has been running for more than 20 minutes, try refreshing the page — the job may have completed and the Audio gallery tab will load it. If it still shows as processing after a refresh, contact support with your account details.

Need More Help?

Our support team is ready to assist with any questions about the Bible Digital Media Widget, credit usage, or video creation.

Contact Support