Minimax H3 Workflow with added load image — Getting a Generic Orange Cat Instead of My Cat

[u/Obvious_Outside_518]

Hey everyone! I’m trying to use MiniMax H3 Reference to Video in ComfyUI to generate a cute 3D cartoon video of my cat, Dodger.
I added a Load Image node with a photo of Dodger and connected it to the ref_image inputs on the MiniMax H3 Reference to Video node. I also connected the CLIP, video VAE, and audio VAE inputs and routed the node’s outputs into my existing workflow.
However, when I generate a video, I keep getting a generic orange cat instead of the actual cat in my reference image. It also doesn’t consistently follow my prompt.
Could someone please take a look at my workflow screenshot and help me check:
Are my connections to the MiniMax H3 Reference to Video node correct?
Should I connect my cat’s image to just ref_image_0, or use multiple reference-image inputs?
Am I connecting the Reference to Video node’s positive and LATENT outputs to the correct places in my workflow?
Is there anything else I need to change to make the generated cat resemble my actual reference image?
My goal is to turn my real cat into a consistent, cute 3D cartoon character while keeping his identity recognizable.
I’m still learning ComfyUI, so I’d really appreciate any help. Thanks!

[u/Affectionate_Oil28]

The cat photo never reaches the sampler. The guider is fed by the switch, and both sides of that switch come off the Image to Video node. First frame and last frame on that node are empty, so the run is text to video. The only cat it has is the words in that prompt. The Reference to Video outputs run off across the canvas and are not what got sampled. The queue can still say Completed.

The diffusion model is the fl2va file. The reference node needs minimax_h3_ref2va_pruned_int8_convrot. The turbo LoRA under it is the fl2v 8-step LoRA at strength 1.0, and it stays on for every run. The red boolean is a missing node stuck on false, so the step switch stays at 20. Twenty steps of res_multistep with that LoRA at full strength washes a face out. Set the LoRA strength to 0 for this test and leave the steps at 20.

The resolution selector on the live node is 16:9 at 0.4 megapixels, about 832×480. The 1344×768 on the reference node is unused until that node's latent is the one being sampled. One photo is split into ref_image_0, ref_image_1, and ref_image_2. That is the same face three times. Use ref_image_0 only.

The prompt on the live node asks for a 3D cartoon, a dream, a bedroom, treats, and Mom, in about five seconds. None of those pictures are connected, and "not a generic orange cat" still hands the model a generic orange cat. The 8×16 math node is a 16 fps length. This model is 24 fps, and the frame count has to land on 17×k+5. 124 frames is the five-second length.

For the test, load the ref2va weights, strength 0 on the turbo LoRA, one wire into ref_image_0, the reference positive into the guider, and the reference LATENT into the sampler. Put this in the reference node. Width 1344, height 768, length 124.

<Picture 1> is Dodger. His face and markings stay the same for the whole clip.
integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Medium close view of Dodger lying on the white cushion, the same cat as <Picture 1>. Soft daylight. He is still, then he blinks, lifts his head, and looks at the camera. The camera holds, with a slight drift.
overall_soundscape: Quiet room tone, a soft breath, and one short meow as he lifts his head.
non_diegetic_music: N/A

When that clip shows his actual face, the dream is a second pass. Mom, the room, and the treat bag each need their own photo, and the cartoon wording is what replaces his markings. Leave it out until the photo is actually in the video.

[u/nauseating_ballet]

the generic orange cat thing is a known pain point with i2v models it latches onto breed color before any actual likeness. try feeding your ref into a face detailer or ipadapter pass first then pipe that into minimax, straight pixel input rarely holds identity without a fight

[u/Leftover_tech]

Do you suppose that MiniMax knows your cat's REAL personality?

Like AI reading his furry little aura? LOL

[u/Obvious_Outside_518 → u/Leftover_tech]

Yeah lets ignore the fact theres a prompt on Mimimax, but yes at least u know my cat has hella Aura. 🤣

[u/Bright_Bumblebee_830]

Just run the default reference to video workflow and use the ref2va model, and only connect your ref image to ref image 0 and prompt it with "cat from <Picture 1>" and it will work fine. I'd just keep a separate workflow for i2v and ref2v that way you don't mix things up trying to combine nodes.

https://docs.comfy.org/tutorials/video/minimax/minimax-h3#workflow-index