LUT Definition
LUT is an acronym for Look Up Table.
LUTs are basically conversion matrices, of different complexities, with the two main options being 1D
LUTs or 3D LUTs.
Types of LUTs
Calibration LUTs
Calibration LUTs are used to ‘correct’ display inaccuracies, ensuring any images shown on the calibrated
display as accurate as possible – allowing for the underlying capabilities and/or limitations of the display.
These are the most important LUTs as their generation has to be performed with very high levels of
accuracy, or all images sheen on the ‘calibrated’ display will be incorrect, causing the inaccuracy to ripple
back down the workflow chain.
Technical LUTs
Technical LUTs are used to convert between different ‘standards’, such as from one color space to
another, which should make the LUTs simple to generate accurately.
Creative LUTs
They are often referred to as ‘Look LUTs’ as they are often used to set a look by a DoP on-set during
filming, as well as to endow images with a specific look emulation, such as specific traditional film stocks.
1D LUT vs. 3D LUT
While 1D LUTs are useful for adjusting contrast and gamma per color channel, 3D LUTs are usually more
accurate and flexible: 3D LUTs can cross-convert colors between channels, heavily alter saturation, and
independently control saturation, brightness, and contrast.
LUT Bit Depth
LUTs usually provide an accuracy of 8 bits (values 0-255), 10 bits (values 0-1023), 12 bits (values 0-4095),
14 bits, 16 bits, or 32-bit floating point (values from 0.0-1.0). Most programs will create new values
linearly to make up for differences in bit depth (i.e. an 8-bit LUT applied to 10-bit video) which allows for
smoother color transition and reduced banding.
LUT Formats used in Color Lookup adjustment layer in Photoshop
!!! When use Look Up Tables within Color Lookup adjustment layer, check Dither box
(to avoid posterization)
Iridas / General Cube LUT (.cube file)
IRIDAS applications generally use a floating point pipeline with little or no clipping.
Compatible with the most graphic and video production software.
DaVinci Cube LUT (.cube file)
The same specifications as Iridas Cube, but 33 samples used.
Several DaVinci LUTs are not compatible with Adobe Photoshop.
Filmlight Baselight Cube (32x32x32 .cube file)
Not compatible with Adobe Photoshop!!!
Rising Sun Research CineSpace LUT (.csp file)
The CineSpace LUT format’s advantages are:
- Can handle extended range input (and output).
- Can handle unevenly spaced stimuli, so is able to minimize and even eliminate visible
banding even when linear interpolation is used.
- Is very flexible, allowing users to do a wide variety of things with LUTs that they may
not have thought possible in the past. Photoshop can read only CSP with 32 samples,
CSP files with 17 or 33 samples are not applicable.
Iridas Look (.look file)
Baked in all-in-one steps format, captures sophisticated operations like
Lift/Gamma/Gain, Hue offset, Saturation change, color selection etc.
Autodesk 3dl (.3dl file)
Another commonly used format, 3D Mesh or floating point pipeline.
Autodesk Inferno, Flame, Lustre, Smoke etc. formats are compatible with Adobe
Photoshop, but several Assimilate Scratch 3dl may not be readable.
1dlc, 3dlc formats - Mostly not used
Load 3D LUT files in Adobe Photoshop
Click on The Color Lookup icon on the Adjustments panel
In the Properties panel select 3DLUT file
in the drop-down menu select the format (CUBE file, 3DL file, IRIDAS Look,
Cinespace 3DLUT) and select the file from the folder where LUTS are stored.
The result of applying LUT may be different due to used Color profile (sRGB,
Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB, etc)
If you’d like these LUT files to show in the drop-down list of the 3DLUT
option, please follow these steps:
1. Close Photoshop.
2. Place the LUT files (.cube ,.3dl, .csp , .look) into the folder:
Windows
Disk:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop **\Presets\3DLUTs
Mac
Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS6/Presets/3DLUTs
Applications/Adobe Photoshop CC****/Presets/3DLUTs
3. Re-open Photoshop.
Compatible Image Software
Adobe Photoshop CS6/CC
Affinity Photo
Skylum Luminar
Athentech Perfectly Clear v3 and later
3D LUT Creator
More…
Compatible Video Software
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Apple Final Cut Pro X
Avid Media Composer
Cyberlink ColorDirector Ultra
DaVinci Resolve
HitFilm
Sony Vegas
More...
Useful links:
Watch online these tutorials:
Adobe Premiere:
[Link]
Adobe After Effects:
[Link]
Adobe Premiere & After Effects:
[Link]
Final Cut Pro X (Lut Utility ) –
[Link]
Final Cut Pro X (Pixel Film Studio Lut Loader)
[Link]
For Final Cut Pro X users please download FCPX LUT Loader (Free)
[Link]
How to Download LUT Plugin for Sony Vegas Pro
[Link]
© Raztrend
Feel free to contact me if you may have any questions or need additional formats:
[Link]@[Link]
Kind Regards
Sergey Zhmakin