Creating and Loading 3D LUTs for third-party apps with Calman

Calman video calibration software can create a monitor calibration 3D LUT file that can be imported into many video and image editing software systems.

Calman creates an optimized 3D LUT file that applies calibration correction to the monitor to correct its performance to very accurately comply with a desired video standard (e.g. BT.709, sRGB, Digital Cinema P3, etc.). Calman currently creates the following LUT file formats: .clt, .csv, .cube, .mga, .m3d, .3dl, .itx, .dat, .txt, and .EE.

When a monitor calibration LUT is imported into an editing software program, the program’s output signal is then altered, according to the LUT data, to produce an image on the display that complies with the selected video standard. Programs that are compatible with the LUT file formats that Calman currently produces include:

• Adobe After Effects
• Apple Color
• Assimilate Scratch
• Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve
• Chaos Group Pdplayer
• The Foundry Nuke

Calman 3D LUT Setup

Follow the procedure linked here to create a corrective 3D LUT file with Calman’s Color Cube 3D LUT workflow

Applying a Color LUT in Adobe After Effects

1.  In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “3DL” for File Format and “64 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .3dl LUT file into a folder on the editing computer.
3. In Adobe After Effects, with an image file open, select Effect > Utility > Apply Color LUT and select the Calman 3D LUT file.

Importing a Display LUT in Apple Color

1. In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “MGA” for File Format and “16 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .mga LUT file into a folder on the editing computer.
3. In Apple Color, with an image file open, select File > Import > Display LUT and select the Calman 3D LUT file.

Loading a 3D LUT in Assimilate Scratch

1. In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “3DL” for File Format and “32 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .3dl LUT file into a folder on the editing computer.
3. In Assimilate Scratch, with an image file loaded, select Source Transform > Custom/Load and select the Calman 3D LUT file.

Applying a 3D LUT in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve

1. In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “CUBE” for File Format and “17 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .cube LUT file into the DaVinci Resolve LUT folder.
3. On the DaVinci Resolve Media page, in the Master Frame, select the file or files to which you wish to apply the Calman 3D LUT. Right-click on the selected files and select your saved 3D LUT file to apply the Calman 3D LUT to Resolve’s video output.

Importing a 3D LUT in Chaos Group Pdplayer

1. In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “3DL” for File Format and “17 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .3dl LUT file into a folder on the editing computer.
3. In Pdplayer, with an image file open, right-click on the Lookup Table Chooser, click “Import,” and select the Calman 3D LUT file.

Loading a 3D LUT in The Foundry Nuke

1. In the Calman AutoCal Setup dialog, select “3DL” for File Format and “32 Points” for Output Cube Size. Provide a name for the 3D LUT in the File Path text box before clicking “OK.”
2. When the 3D LUT calibration is complete, copy the .3dl LUT file into a folder on the editing computer.
3. In Nuke, double-click the Read or Write node’s property panel. From the Colorspace dropdown menu, select the Calman 3D LUT file.