[Veo 3.1 FREE] How To Use Veo 3.1 in Flow and N8N (Step-by-step)

The race for the best AI video model is heating up, and Google has just dropped a powerful contender: Veo 3.1. This isn’t just another text-to-video tool. It generates high-quality, short video clips with synchronized audio, and the results are nothing short of incredible.

The best part? You don’t need a massive budget to try it. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you two methods to harness the power of Veo 3.1 completely for free: a simple web app method and an advanced automation technique using APIs.

What is Google Veo 3.1?

Google Veo 3.1 is a state-of-the-art video generation model that creates high-definition (720p/1080p) videos from text prompts, images, or a combination of both. Unlike some models that add audio as a separate step, Veo can generate sound and visuals simultaneously, creating a more cohesive and dynamic result.

Method 1: Using Google Flow (The Easy & Free Way)

This is the perfect starting point for everyone, from creators to curious beginners. Google Flow is a web-based platform that gives you direct access to Veo 3.1.

Step 1: Access Google Flow
Open your web browser and go to labs.google.com. Look for the Veo 3.1 option and click on “Create with Flow”.

Step 2: Sign In
You will be prompted to sign in with your Google account. Follow the steps to confirm your email and accept the privacy policy to continue.

Step 3: Create a New Project
Once inside, click on “New Project”. You’ll notice you have 100 free AI credits, which is enough to generate approximately 5 videos.

Pro Tip: The 5-video limit is per Google account. If you hit your limit, you can simply create a new Gmail account and sign in again to get another 100 free credits. This is a legitimate way to test the model extensively without cost.

Step 4: Choose Your Generation Method
Flow offers three powerful ways to create videos:

• Text to Video: The simplest method. Just type a descriptive prompt, and Veo will bring it to life.
• Frames to Video: Provide a starting image (and an optional ending image), and Veo will animate it. This is perfect for bringing your static AI images to life.
• Ingredients to Video: Provide up to three images, and Veo will generate a video that combines their elements based on your prompt.

Step 5: Generate and Download

1. For a quick test, you can find inspiration in Flow TV on the main screen. You can copy prompts from existing community creations.
2. Enter your prompt, select your aspect ratio (portrait or landscape), and hit generate.
3. A 7-8 second video will be ready in a few minutes. You can then download it as a GIF, in 720p, or upscale it to a higher-quality 1080p version.

Method 2: Automate with API & N8n (The Advanced Free Method)

For power users who want to integrate Veo into automated workflows, the API is the way to go. We’ll use Google Cloud’s free trial to access it.

Step 1: Sign Up for Google Cloud

1. Go to cloud.google.com and click on “Free Trial”.
2. You will get $300 in free credits valid for 90 days. You need to provide a payment method, but there are no automatic charges once the trial ends or the credits are used up.

Step 2: Find Your Project ID

1. In the Google Cloud Console, go to Vertex AI > Vertex AI Studio.
2. Select Veo 3.1 Preview and click on “Get Code”.
3. In the window that pops up, you will see your Project ID. Copy this code; you’ll need it later.

Step 3: Set Up Authentication
To connect N8n to Google Cloud, you need to set up credentials.

1. Search for “Credentials” in the Google Cloud Console.
2. Create a new service account and download the private key JSON file.
3. (For a visual guide, you can search for tutorials on “how to connect N8n with Google credentials”).

Step 4: Import the N8n Workflow

1. We’ve created a ready-to-use N8n workflow for you. You can find the JSON file link in the video description of the original tutorial.
2. In your N8n interface, import this JSON file to automatically create the workflow.

Step 5: Configure the Workflow

1. In the imported workflow, find the “Set Variables” node and paste your Project ID.
2. In the “Generate Video” node, click on “Google Account” and add the credentials you created in Step 3 using the JSON key file.
3. You will also need to add the correct OAuth Scope for Vertex AI, which is typically: https://www.googleapis.com/auth/cloud-platform.
4. Repeat the credential setup for the “Get Status” node.
5. Now, you can customize your prompt, resolution, aspect ratio, and even upload a starting image frame directly in the workflow.

Step 6: Execute and Enjoy
Run the workflow! N8n will call the Veo 3.1 API, generate your video, and once the process is complete, you can view and download the final result with audio, all powered by your free Google Cloud credits.

Conclusion:

Google Veo 3.1 is a massive leap forward in accessible AI video generation. Whether you’re a content creator looking for quick b-roll, a marketer experimenting with new formats, or a developer building automated content pipelines, these methods provide a powerful and free way to get started.