Creating LUTs

[Gioacchino Gargiulo]

I've been using LUTs from different sources and for different purposes over the short time period I've spent learning a thing or two about color grading,

and I was wondering what is the "standard" procedure for creating a LUT.

I'm aware that several programs like Resolve or Photoshop are able to create one, and until now I've used those programs to cook my own LUTs, but I'm unsure whether that's "correct" and/or advisable, or whether there are other more professional ways to do it.

 

I hope I was able to clearly express the question, please let me know if that is not the case.

[Dylan R. Hopkin]

Some of the look-LUTs that are available for sale online are created directly inside a grading application like Resolve.
There are more dedicated LUT-creation applications that can manipulate colours in other ways.
E.g. 3Dlutcreator ( http://3dlutcreator.com/ ) , which can use bending grids to push chroma / luma.
(I have no affiliation with the 3Dlutcreator guys btw).

The high-end post houses have colour scientists whom I imagine have their own in-house-tools for this type of work.

I personally don´t like using look-LUTs as you can quickly "paint yourself into a corner". Order of operations are key to understand when using LUTs. Grading tools such as vs-curves and curves should get you most, if not all the way.

But on the other hand there is nothing wrong in using look-LUTs if they work for you, blending them in to your grade by taste.
It´s always good to keep an open mind B.)

[Nicolas Hanson]

Great know how Dylan! Can you explain what you mean with 'use bending grids to push chroma / luma.'? Is the Alexa Lut creator a creative tool or for making transformations like Log to Rec709 etc? 

[Steve Shaw]

Many (most?) of the film emulation LUTs available from the various suppliers out there have been generated using data provided by Light Illusion, as well as through the use of LightSpace CMS and/or matchLight IMS.

See: http://www.lightillusion.com/lightspace.html

and: http://www.lightillusion.com/matchlight_ims.html

There are also some free film emulation LUTs that can be downloaded, and information how the LUTs were generated here: http://www.lightillusion.com/free_look_luts.html

There is also info on what LUTs really are here: http://www.lightillusion.com/luts.html

And more importantly, a lot of info on using LUTs for calibration, which is their main use, and other aspects of LUT use and colour management workflows, etc., here: http://www.lightillusion.com/tech_info.html

And you can always ask me questions directly.

Steve

[Filip Zamorsky]

I also use 3DLutcreator - this is really a powerfull tool. Bought it almost two years ago. You are able to manipulate colors in so many ways... here is YT channel with tutorials - I am also not connected to the developer in any way. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrBh8S42Q1ag4yuyQF3QnLA

[Alex Prohorushkin]

Hi.

I also use 3DLutcreator. but I also use LightSpace CMS. 

for Convert LUT I’ve small utility BrizLUT converter.

All program have own + and -

 

Alex