Veo 3.1 Reference Images - Docs Say Available, API Says "Not Supported"

Gemini API
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1

I need urgent clarification on a docs/API mismatch for Veo 3.1. **The Problem:** Your official documentation at https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/video#using-reference-images shows reference_images as a standard, publicly available feature with complete working examples. However, when I use the EXACT code from your docs, I get: ``` 400 INVALID_ARGUMENT “Your use case is currently not supported. Please refer to Gemini API documentation for current model offering.” ``` **My Verification:** :white_check_mark: I have access to veo-3.1-generate-preview (confirmed via models.list()):white_check_mark: Basic text-to-video works perfectly :white_check_mark: I’m using YOUR exact code pattern from the docs :white_check_mark: My code creates proper VideoGenerationReferenceImage objects ✗ ANY request with reference_images gets rejected **Code I’m Using (from YOUR docs):** ```python ref_img_obj = genai.types.VideoGenerationReferenceImage( image=ref_img,reference_type=“asset” ) config = genai.types.GenerateVideosConfig( duration_seconds=8, resolution=“1080p”,aspect_ratio=“9:16”, reference_images=[ref_img_obj] # ← THIS CAUSES ERROR ) operation =client.models.generate_videos( model=“veo-3.1-generate-preview”, source=source, config=config ) ``` **Documentation Shows:** - Parameters table lists `referenceImages` for Veo 3.1 :white_check_mark: - Complete working examples with NO access restrictions mentioned :white_check_mark: - Section “Using reference images” shows it as public feature :white_check_mark: **But API Rejects It:** -Error code: 400 INVALID_ARGUMENT :cross_mark: - Message: “use case not supported” :cross_mark: **Questions:** 1. Is reference_images actually available or is the documentation wrong? 2. If it requires special access, why isn’t this documented? 3. How do I request access if it’s restricted? 4. When will docs match API reality? This is blocking production development. My use case: UGC video generation where we need product photos to appear in generated videos (exactly what reference_images is designed for). **Details:** - API Key: [last 4 digits: XXXX] - SDK: google-genai 1.46.0 - Region: Croatia (HR) - Error occurs even with 1 reference image - Error occurs with 720p and 1080p -Error occurs with all durations (4s, 6s, 8s) Please either: A) Fix the documentation to mention access restrictions B) Enable reference_images for my account as shown in docs C) Explain what’s actually required to use this documented feature Thank you.

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Hi @Ivan_Duvnjak ,Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Apologies for the delayed response. Could you please confirm if you are still facing the INVALID_ARGUMENT error?

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I’m encountering the same error here. After a few successful requests, I’m now receiving a 400 error indicating that the model is not available for my use case: {‘error’: {‘code’: 400, ‘message’: ‘Your use case is currently not supported. Please refer to Gemini API documentation for current model offering.’, ‘status’: ‘INVALID_ARGUMENT’}}

6

Hello! It looks like you might be trying to use the 9:16 aspect ratio.referenceImagesonly supports 16:9 at the moment. I will update the API parameters table to make this more clear. We’re working on getting 9:16 supported very soon.

Please let me know if you experience any other issues with your API call

1 Like
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Hi @Alisa_Fortin,

Is there already a specific timeline for when “very soon” will be? Our current use case is blocked by this missing feature.

Regards.

Nils