# How to generate visuals with Pipedream

> Render images, PDFs, and videos from your Orshot templates in a Pipedream workflow — using the Orshot app step

- **URL**: https://orshot.com/help/generate-images-with-pipedream

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Pipedream is a developer-friendly automation platform. A workflow can render an **image, PDF, or video** from your Orshot template using the built-in **Orshot** app step — no code required. Here's the template we'll automate:

![The Orshot template we'll render from Pipedream](https://orshot.com/help/automations/pipedream-output.webp)

## 1. Know your template's parameters

Open your template in **Orshot Studio** and press **⌘]** (Toggle Parameter View). Every editable element is labelled with its **parameter** name — `quote`, `customer_name`, `stat_value`, and so on. These are the values you'll set from Pipedream. Any element can be made dynamic — see [Make your template dynamic](https://orshot.com/help/make-your-template-dynamic).

![The template in Orshot Studio with parameter labels turned on](https://orshot.com/help/automations/pipedream-studio-params.webp)

## 2. Grab your Template ID and API key

On the template's card, click **Connect**, then open the **Pipedream** tab. You'll find your **Template ID**, **API key**, and the exact step-by-step to add the Orshot step to a Pipedream workflow. New to API keys? See [Find your API key and template ID](https://orshot.com/help/find-your-api-key-and-template-id).

![The Quick Connect sheet on the Pipedream tab, with the step-by-step](https://orshot.com/help/automations/pipedream-connect.webp)

## 3. Add the Orshot step

In the Pipedream workflow editor, start with a trigger (any trigger works — an incoming webhook, a schedule, a new row, etc.). Then click the **+** below it to add a step.

![The Pipedream workflow editor with a trigger and the + to add the next step](https://orshot.com/help/automations/pipedream-editor.webp)

In the step search, type **Orshot**, select it, and choose the action **Generate Image from Studio Template**. The first time, click **Connect Account** and paste your **API key**.

## 4. Configure the render

The Orshot step exposes the same fields as the Orshot action in every other tool:

- **Template** — pick the template to render (its ID is in the Connect sheet).
- **Response Type** — `URL` (easiest to use in later steps), `Base64`, or `Binary`.
- **Image Format** — `png`, `jpg`, `webp`, `pdf`, or `mp4`/`webm`/`gif` for animated templates.
- **Modifications** — your template's parameters as fields (the names from step 1). Type a value, or reference data from your trigger to make each run dynamic.

## 5. Run it

**Deploy** the workflow (or use **Test**). Orshot renders your template with its modifications and returns the result — a hosted URL when **Response Type** is `URL`. With the format set to `gif`/`mp4`, an **animated** template returns video:

![The same template rendered as a short animation](https://orshot.com/help/automations/pipedream-animated.webp)

## 6. Use it downstream

Add more steps after Orshot and pass the returned image along — upload it, post it, email it, or store it — then the workflow runs automatically on every trigger.

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