Processing and Formatting Effects > Colour Management >
Controlling Image Display using Exposure and Image Data Type

When you are working in the Player or a module that supports multiple viewports, you can change the display of an image based on the type of image data you are working with. By default, an image is displayed in RGB mode with a transformation for a video image. You can apply transformations to the image to display an optimal view of logarithmic and linear images.

The Matte mode is a preset that allows you to preview the matte with exposure and contrast settings that are independent of those in RGB mode. In Matte mode, 3D LUTs are not processed.

NoteIt is recommended that you view mattes and alpha channels with the Image Data Type set to Video.

All transformations applied to images are for display purposes only. As you work with your transformed image, you will be able to better determine the decisions required to achieve a desired effect. For example, you can set an image window to display more realistic contrast values for a logarithmic image. If you apply an RGB blur or perform a colour correction, you will see the results on the transformed image, but when the clip is processed, only the RGB blur or colour correction information will be processed.

NoteIf you apply a 3D LUT that expects logarithmic input, you can apply it to any image data type, and still display a plausible result. This includes all print stock LUTs, including Lustre Color 3D LUTs. If you work with a different type of LUT, enable the Bypass button to work with the image with no transformation.

To access the exposure and image data type settings:

1. Do one of the following:
   - In a module with multiple viewports, display the View menu.
   - To access settings for the broadcast monitor, open the Preferences menu.

(a) Image Data Type box(b) Preset box

Exposure field
  Displays the exposure in f-stops that is used to transform image display in the current image window.
Contrast field
  Displays the contrast that is used to transform image display in the current image window.
Image Data Type box
  Select the type of image data you are displaying in the current image window. Your selection determines the type of transformation that that is applied to the clip to modify the contrast.

Select: | To:
--- | ---
Logarithmic | Apply a transformation to a logarithmic film scan.
Video | Apply a transformation to a video clip.
Linear (Scene referred) | Apply a transformation to a 16-bit floating-point image, with a high dynamic range.

Apply All button
  In modules with multiple viewports, enable to apply the transformation for the current viewport to all viewports using the same Preset mode.
Bypass button
  Enable to deactivate display settings in the current image window.
Preset box
  Select an option to preview the image in either RGB or Matte mode.

#### Topics in this section

- Controlling Image Display Gesturally