1. What is the LUT?
In this video you will learn about the LUTs: what LUTs are, what types of LUTs exist and where they are used.
In the film industry color correction with LUTs has been known for a long time.
Recently, however, LUTs have been used widely outside of professional studios. Today, transformation of one color range to another using LUTs is applied not only for grading videos, but also for photo editing, visual effects in computer graphics, as well as monitor calibration and streaming video processing hardware. Yes, all modern graphic cards have LUT hardware support.
2. Working with LUTs in Photoshop and 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial you will learn how to make 3D LUT Creator work together with Photoshop.
You can configure the integration with Photoshop at the Integration tab in the program Preferences. Please, make sure that your version of Photoshop is CS6 or newer, because older versions of Photoshop don't support LUTS. If you don’t find the newest version of Photoshop in this list or Integration doesn’t work, please, choose «Custom Photoshop» and select the path to your Photoshop below.
3D LUT Creator allows you to import images from Photoshop and send LUTs back with one-click. LUTs in Photoshop are applied to images as adjustment layers.
3. Working with Lightroom and 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial you will learn how to set up 3D LUT Creator as an external editor for Adobe Lightroom.
Lightroom doesn't support LUTs but you can still use 3D LUT Creator in your Lightroom workflow. In the Lightroom I go to the menu Edit> Preferences and open the External Editing tab. There you can configure 3D LUT Creator as an external editor for Lightroom images. To do this, you need to specify the path to the program. Also you can set the parameters of image export.
4. Working with the Image window
In this video tutorial you will learn how to work with the Image window in 3D LUT Creator.
If you have two monitors, the image can be opened in a separate window. This can be done via the menu Window> Separate image window. This is useful if you want to use one monitor to display the tools of the program and the other one for the image.
The Image window is also used to view the reference image. The reference image is the image that you use as a reference of toning or color harmony.
5. Look manager
In this video tutorial you will know how to work with a very useful tool in 3D LUT Creator which is called Look manager.
Surely many advanced users have collected such a large number of LUTs that it has become difficult to navigate them. If you have too many LUTs you will have two problems. First, you may forget what kind of effect is achieved by each specific LUT. Second, it is also not clear how they will affect your working image or movie. Therefore, sometimes you have to sequentially apply LUTs one by one to choose the right effect. Look manager was created especially to solve those problems. For those of you who do not yet have your own LUT collection — don't be sad because the 3D LUT Creator comes with a whole LUT library!
6. Working principle of A/B and C/L color grids
This video is devoted to the working principle of the main color correction tools of the 3D LUT Creator – the A/B and C/L color grids.
Let me remind you that you will not find such opportunities to work with color in any other program because this program's main tools take a completely different approach. They work with an image color as a three-dimensional model. Many of you were surprised by this, but do not forget that to get incredible results you need incredible tools and completely new technologies.
7. HSP and LAB color models
This video tutorial is devoted to HSP and LAB working color models in 3D LUT Creator.
In the video that was dedicated to the principle of the A/B and C/L color grids we discussed the HSL color space, which is very similar to the HSP color space, the basic working color model of the program. So now you will start with HSP based color models, especially since one of them (HSPe) is the default color model for the program. The color model that is loaded by default can be set in the program preferences.
Note that changing the color model affects the A/B and C/L color grids as well as the brightness and saturation sliders, and the Special Curves at the Curves tab.
8. LXY, MXY, MABe, MXYe, SXY, YUV, CMYK and RGBW color models
In this tutorial we will continue to talk about color models in 3D LUT Creator!
In general the choice of the desired color model will depend on the goal that you want to achieve while doing color correction. After watching this video you will know how to analyze color models with the help of the test images, which can be downloaded from the 3dlutcreator.com.
9. The Luminance curve and the Brightness slider
In this tutorial we will talk about the Brightness slider, the Luminance curve and the ways to adjust the curves in 3D LUT Creator.
As you already know from the previous tutorials, the Brightness slider and Luminance curve from the Special Curves section depend on the chosen color model of the program. In general, both of these tools will work with the component of the color model that is responsible for the lightness. In the LAB model it is the L channel, in the MXY model it is M component, in the HSP model it is P which is Perceptual brightness, in the CMYK model it is the Black ink channel, and in the RGBW model it is the White light.
10. Saturation curves
In this video we will consider the remaining Special curves in 3D LUT Creator: the Saturation/Luminance curve, the Saturation/Saturation curve and the Luminance/Saturation curve.
Remember, that all the actions that you make in these curves can be done with the color grids. The advantage of the color grids is the high color accuracy, while the Special curves often work faster and easier. Please note that the effect of these curves depends on the chosen color model, as well as on the corrections that are made by the tools that work before the curves. You can see these tools in the flowchart on the Mask tab. As a rule, the tools are applied according to the order of the tabs.
11. Basics of working with the A/B color grid
In this video tutorial we will consider the basics of working with the A/B color grid in 3D LUT Creator!
If you do not know how the Color grids work, you can watch the video called “Working principle of A/B and C/L color grids in 3D LUT Creator”.
Briefly, the color of the image is tied to the grid, if I bend the grid, the color will also change. The neutral colors are in the center of the grid, the distance from the center represents the color saturation. The color Hue changes when moving around the center of the grid.
The A/B grid can be circle or square. The grid size can be changed if you want to make precise color correction.
12. Practice with A/B color grid, part 1
In this video we will continue to talk about working with a color grid. I will consider the main practical tasks that can be solved with this unique tool.
If you haven't seen the video called “Basics of working with the A/B color grid in 3D LUT Creator”, then we highly recommend watching it.
There are a lot of problems that can be solved with the help of the main color grid: repainting objects, removing Color Casts and reflexes, separate coloring of shadows and highlights, darkening and lightening of individual hues, neutrals coloring, saturation-dependent selective adjustment of individual hues, color harmonies, final image cleaning from unwanted colors, color calibration using color targets.
13. Practice with A/B color grid, part 2
In this video we will continue to practice with the A/B color grid in 3D LUT Creator!
In the video called “Saturation curves in 3D LUT Creator” we mentioned that all actions of the saturation curves can be done on the color grid. Now you will see it.
The Saturation/Luminance curve (or Sat/Lum curve) effect can be recreated with the double A/B grid. The Saturation/ Saturation curve (or Sat/Sat curve) can easily be replaced with the circular A/B grid. The effect of the Luminance/Saturation curve (or Lum/Sat curve) can be done by adjusting the lightness on the A/B color grid.
14. Tools for working with the A/B color grid
In this video tutorial we will review new tools for working with the A/B color grid, which appeared in the 3D LUT Creator program in version 1.4.
We already have similar tools for working with the curves. Now some of them are available for working with the A/B grid. These tools change the grid so that the image color gets certain characteristics of the reference color that is displayed in this color field. If you double-click on it, you will see a window where you can select this color. You can also use the color field or enter the color manually. However, it is much more convenient to just hold down the Alt key and click on the desired color. You can click both the working image and the reference, if you have it loaded.
15. Batch processing in 3D LUT Creator
In this video you will learn how to use batch processing in the 3D LUT Creator!
Let me remind you that the batch processing function is only available in the PRO version of the program. Batch processing allows you to process series of photos with one LUT. This can be useful when you shoot goods for an online store or a catalog. In this video I will use a teapot, as an example, which I will repaint in different colors.
1. Color Match with the Reference image
In this video tutorial you will know about the Color Match tool in 3D LUT Creator. This tool allows you to copy the toning and color scheme from one image to another.
It often happens that you saw some interesting color in a film or photo and wanted to make something similar. 3D LUT Creator helps you with this. Those who follow our instagram and Facebook community already know about Color Match tool and what it can do!
2. How to create 3D LUT files from Lightroom presets or Photoshop Plugins
In this video you will know how to export Lightroom and Photoshop plug-ins presets to 3D LUT Creator and create LUTs on them.
Some of you may ask: "Why would I need this? You may say: “I can use Lightroom or Photoshop to process my photos processed in a light-bar or the same Photoshop?". And they will be partly right. However, video colorists can disagree with them.
Now there are large number of presets for the Lightroom available, for example, the VSCO. Of course, you can process the video in Lightroom, pre-converting it into a sequence of photos, then throw it all in the Lightroom, process, output and then upload all frames to the video editor. But if you want to save your time you can use a faster way with 3D LUT Creator.
3. RAW photo developing with 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial you will know how to work with RAW files in 3D LUT Creator using this picture as an example.
First, let’s see how RAW-file looks like in Photoshop. As you can see, the lighting on this photo is very yellow. Even at a temperature of 3700K all objects are yellow. I will decrease the temperature and see that the normal white balance for this picture is about 2300K. It was shot in quite difficult conditions for shooting. At f/2 I had to shoot at ISO 1000, which already creates a lot of noise, and with such white balance cooling we made the noise in the blue channel even more noticeable.
4. Skin tone with CMYK and 2D-curves
In this video tutorial we will edit a photo using CMYK curves and 2D curves in 3D LUT Creator.
Those who work with video can save CMYK curves to the LUTs and apply them to a video footage. I don’t know any video editor, which has CMYK curves. These curves are very convenient for skin tone correction and compare to masks, they do not create gaps in color gradients. It means this LUT is universal and it can be used with other photos without the fear to get a posterization in gradients.
5. Teal & Orange grading in 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial we will do Teal&Orange grading in 3D LUT Creator!
So, what is the Teal&Orange? This is the shifting of all colors of the image to two: orange, which is usually the skin color, and turquoise, that is the average between blue and green. Let's do it in 3D LUT Creator!
6. How to change third party LUTs in 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial you will learn how to get more value from your existing LUTs.
Surely many of you have a large collection of LUTs and not all of them are created by the 3D LUT Creator. Even Photoshop and DaVinci have additional LUTs that you can use. Unfortunately, these LUTs often have enhanced contrast or are even built for logarithmic data, so we seldom use them as they are. In this video I'll show you how to use 3D LUT Creator to split the LUT into two or even three parts: RGB-curve, Master-curve and HSL correction. Let's see how they differ. There are two main types of color correction: curves (usually the Master curve and RGB-curves) and HSL correction, which are used to correct the Hue, Saturation and Luminance.
7. How to darken the sky with no artifacts?
In this video tutorial you will learn how to darken the sky without artifacts in 3D LUT Creator.
I have a picture, it was sent by Dmitry. He asked the question: how do I darken the sky without getting artifacts? Let's try to do it in the Camera RAW. I go to HSL, Luminance tab and darken the Aquas and Blues. As we can see, we get a bright stroke around the trees.
Let's darken the sky in 3D LUT Creator!
8. Blend Modes in 3D LUT Creator
In this video tutorial you will learn about blend modes in the 3D LUT Creator.
Blend modes in the 3D LUT Creator are very similar to layer blend modes in Photoshop. For example, if I create the LUT that removes saturation will have the opportunity to change how this LUT is applied in 3D LUT Creator. First, I can change the Opacity. I can reduce it or remove entirely. Second, I can change the Normal blend Mode to any other from the list.
9. New way of color toning in 3D LUT Creator
In this video lesson you will learn about another way of toning in 3D LUT Creator.
I'll start with the toning based on the Gradient Map adjustment layer in Photoshop, and then we will move on to what can not be done in Photoshop. First you need to make a black-and-white version of the image, for example, in the Channel Mixer you can make an identical formulation for all three channels. I take the green channel as a basis. In the red channel will be 0% of the red, 100% of the green and 0% of the blue. I’ll make the same formulation for the blue channel. We get a black and white image now. You can select all points and move them to give different contrasts for the different colors to your taste.
10. Color correction in game production with 3D LUT Creator & Unity
In this video tutorial I'll show you how to apply 3DLUTs in games to create stunning visual effects. This video tutorial is primarily intended for games developers, based on the Unity 3D engine.
First of all, I want to say that 3DLUT can be connected in Unity in two ways: by using the built-in component of the Unity and with the help of an external component Amplify Color. These components have different formats for importing LUTs and both of these formats have been supported by 3D LUT Creator since version 1.0.
11. Skin tone color correction by numbers with RGB curves
In this tutorial you will know about the color correction by the numbers using the Curves in 3D LUT Creator.
Usually the working with RGB-curves means separate adjustment of the red, green and blue components of the image. However, 3D LUT Creator lets you control the RGB Curves to adjust the hue, saturation and lightness separately for specific color. It is very convenient, especially when you need to correct the skin tone.
12. Adjusting the Skin Tone using color match tool
In this video tutorial we will correct the skin color in an unusual way: we will use the color chart matching tool!
13. Color Masks
In this video you will know how to work with the Color Masks in 3D LUT Creator.
Masks allow you to apply color correction to the certain parts of the image depending on the properties of the base image colors.
Please note, that the curves interface in 3D LUT Creator was changed.
1. Color correction with Color Checkers in 3D LUT Creator, part 1
in this video tutorial you will know about color correction using Color Checker in 3D LUT Creator.
First, let's understand where the color problems come from and study some theory to understand how to solve these problems. The camera receives light and color. Light passes through the lens and gets into the filter. Once the first filter cuts off the infrared light the rest of the light incident on the Bayer filter. This filter consists of red, green and blue color filters, each of which transmits only one color component.
2. Color correction with Color Checkers in 3D LUT Creator, part 2
in this video tutorial we will continue to talk about color correction using Color Checker in 3D LUT Creator.
We will consider color correction the video from cameras that don’t support shooting in RAW or Log profiles. First, let's do a little experiment. Suppose, we shoot a gray object with a video camera. Each camera has its own built-in RAW converter which converts a sensor data into sRGB, reg709 or other similar formats. In our experiment, I will simulate a built-in converter with the help of Adobe Camera Raw. Suppose we shot the gray object, but forgot to set the correct white balance. And the picture has turned yellow. In an ideal situation, after we shot this material, we just correct white balance and get the right gray color of our object.
3. Working with ChromaDuMonde in 3D LUT Creator and Davinci Resolve
In this video tutorial you will know about using DSC Labs Chroma Du Monde Chart in 3D LUT Creator to adjust the colors on material shot with a Black Magic camera.
Here I have the material shot with a Black Magic camera in ProRes video codec with BMD Film profile and incorrect white balance. What is strange to me is that DaVinci doesn’t allow me to change any settings for ProRes material, although the camera and the program have the same company. The only way to change the color temperature in DaVinci is when you have a still with a Color Chart. For example in 3D LUT Creator you can do it even if you don’t have Color Chart frame. There will be more on that in another video.
4. Color matching of 2 cameras in 3D LUT Creator using X-Rite Color Checker
In this video tutorial you will learn how to match colors from one camera to another using Color Target and 3D LUT Creator.
Here are four images, they were sent by Michael. Special thank to him. Two images were shot using a Canon 5D Mark 3 and other two were shot using a Sony A7 S2 with different color profiles. The Canon images have a strong contrast; we will use them as the reference. The Sony images were shot with a low-contrast profile, and we will try to match them to the Canon colors.
1. Working with LOG video footage in 3D LUT Creator
in this video tutorial you will learn you about the logarithmic profiles for video, as well as how to transform the image from logarithmic profiles to rec.709, sRGB, and other profiles using 3D LUT Creator.
Let's talk about the logarithmic profile. The logarithmic profile in the video is about the same as a RAW format for photographers, but as a video shooting in RAW was until relatively recently impossible, videographers had to use ordinary video files. In most cases, a picture in the video is stored in an integer form with a bit depth of 8 or 10.
2. Using 3D LUT Creator with Davinci Resolve & Red Camera Footage
and in this video tutorial you will know about using 3D LUT Creator with DaVinci Resolve for color correction RED camera footage.
I have a small clip, shot on RED in R3D format. I uploaded it to DaVinci. Let's see what options we have for working with it. I opened Camera RAW module, and it shows that you have RED camera footage. To change these settings I choose «Сlip» in Decode Using Drop down list. The first and the easiest option, which we will look at - is a development in DaVinci using Camera RAW. To do this, I need to select Color Space Rec. 709 and Gamma Rec. 709. And from the RAW file we developed the image with a normal contrast. To add a grading in 3D LUT Creator, I’ll save a still. Right mouse click > Grab Still, Export to TIFF format. I open it in 3D LUT Creator.
3. Working with ChromaDuMonde in 3D LUT Creator and Davinci Resolve
In this video tutorial you will know about using DSC Labs Chroma Du Monde Chart in 3D LUT Creator to adjust the colors on material shot with a Black Magic camera.
Here I have the material shot with a Black Magic camera in ProRes video codec with BMD Film profile and incorrect white balance. What is strange to me is that DaVinci doesn’t allow me to change any settings for ProRes material, although the camera and the program have the same company. The only way to change the color temperature in DaVinci is when you have a still with a Color Chart. For example in 3D LUT Creator you can do it even if you don’t have Color Chart frame. There will be more on that in another video.
4. Working with V-Log footage in 3D LUT Creator and Adobe Premiere
In this video tutorial you will learn about working with a Log footage in Adobe Premiere. As an example I will use V-Log footage from Panasonic camera.
There are a few scenes shot in V-Log with different exposure and white balance. Let's start with these clips.
This video was shot with the proper exposure, let's move it to the time line and go to the Color tab. Lumetri panel appears on the right. It is responsible for the use of different LUTs and base corrections. LUTs can be used in two sections: Basic Correction and Creative. LUT, that corresponds to your camera, is loaded in the Basic Correction. LUT for toning and color grading is loaded in the Creative section.
Technical 3D LUTs
Beginner tutorials
Working with Color Targets
Advanced
Working with Video
3D LUT Creator
Bend your own color
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