Pre-processing > Colour Management with LUTs > 
Applying a LUT on Import or Export
 
 
 

Applying a LUT to a film clip on import or export converts the clip's images according to the contents of the LUT. You can only apply 1D LUTs on import or export.

A typical workflow when using 1D LUTs would be to apply the 10logto12 import LUT provided, converting 10-bit logarithmic image data to 12-bit linear image data. After working with the images in Smoke, you would then export the clip using the inverse of the LUT, 12to10log. This restores its logarithmic values, in preparation for film printing.

Sample 1D LUTs have been provided that cover the most common conversion processes, and use standard data for Cineon digital negatives (normal exposure). If these LUTs do not give the desired results, you can use them to create a custom LUT. Often, a minor adjustment is all that is required. See Creating Custom 1D LUTs.

To apply a LUT on image import or export from the EditDesk:

  1. Open the clip library in which you want to store the images you are importing, or from which you want to export images.
  2. Click Import Image, or select an image and click Export Image.
  3. Enable Use LUT.

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  4. Click the LUT field.

    The file browser appears. The Files list contains the LUTs currently residing in your project's ~/lut directory. These include the samples provided with Smoke, as well as any LUTs you may have saved or exported to this directory.

    Sample 1D LUTs include the following.

    LUT File Name Conversion Process
    10logto12 Converts a 10-bit logarithmic image to a 12-bit linear image.
    10logto8 Converts a 10-bit logarithmic image to an 8-bit linear image.
    8to10log Converts an 8-bit linear image to a 10-bit logarithmic image.
    12to10log Converts a 12-bit linear image to a 10-bit logarithmic image.
    invertRGB Inverts the RGB values of the image.
    oxberry12to8 Converts a 16-bit SGI image file created by the Oxberry film scanner to an 8-bit image file. Note that these SGI image files contain 12 bits of data scaled in a non-standard way.
    oxberry12to12 Converts a 16-bit SGI image file created by the Oxberry film scanner to a 12-bit image file. Note that these SGI image files contain 12 bits of data scaled in a non-standard way.
  5. Select a LUT in the Files list.

    The Import Image or Export Image menu reappears. The LUT field displays the name of the new LUT. It will be applied to the clip you import or export.