Paul Dore

LMT_PFE_OFX.dctl LMT_PFE_OFX_neutral.dctl The DCTLs should be used in ACEScct in Resolve, and work with CUDA, Metal (macOS), and OpenCL (Win10).

Use the Edge Detect plugin to generate a mask, and apply it to a node where you blur just the red channel. Blurring edges reduces contrast, causing the brighter outside edge to darken and the darker inside edge to lighten. Applying a max operation to the original image and the adjusted version will preserve the original pixels that were darkened by the process, while keeping the newly brightened pixels. This has the effect of something similar to a light-wrap, though in this case it's just the red channel that leaks. The max operation can be performed in an number of different ways in Resolve, and one such way is to use a layer node with the blending mode set to lighten.

I'm not sure of the exact reason, but some of the precompiled plugins on the GitHub page aren't showing up anymore in Resolve 15. I recompiled them and now they seem to work. Something to do the latest version of Resolve doing some lib file modifications when installing perhaps. Anyway, try using these. https://github.com/baldavenger/Extras/blob/master/mac_OFX.zip

This plugin has the option of a technical LogC Alexa Wide Gamut to Rec.709 transform, but with the additional ability to roll off the highlights into display space.

Peter Doyle used simple math expressions to achieve channel suppression, much like a despill operation (which Jussi was referring to). You can do this in Resolve with LUTs (good) or DCTLs (better). One of my first plugins was called BlueBox, which was based on the process Peter Doyle described in an fxphd interview he did several years ago. An extended version of the plugin, called ChannelBox, is described here: ChannelBox info Links to the source files and complied plugin can be found there too.

I tried with various convolution filters and frequency separation, but found that a quick and easy method actually worked the best (in Resolve anyway). Apply the EdgeDetect plugin to node 02 (a corrector node added to the node graph and connected to the source input), adjust parameters to get your edge alpha, then pipe node 02 RGB output to your main stream (node 01) alpha input, and apply blur. This approach can be adapted to work with channels individually.

Added new plugins Convolution and Frequency, and updated Qualifier. https://github.com/baldavenger See here for more information: http://liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php?threads/dctls-and-resolve-ofx.7046/page-15

SoftClip OFX plugin has been rewritten and updated. Short demonstration video can be viewed here:

BaldavengerOFX plugin collection has been updated. 18 plugins for DR14 (macOS, Windows, Linux), and legacy versions for DR12.5 https://github.com/baldavenger/macOS-OFX https://github.com/baldavenger/Win-OFX https://github.com/baldavenger/Linux-OFX

You'll find more information about the plugins on this thread: http://liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php?threads/dctls-and-resolve-ofx.7046/page-11

It's the direct application of the official transfer functions and 3x3 matrix colour space transforms, as opposed to those transforms being first applied to a LUT and then applied via interpolation. It's a clean, non-destructive, and fully reversible process. It's not a question of trust, it's the only truly indisputable scientific certainty i.e. math.

For technical transforms try to use the Color Space Transform OFX plugin or DCTLs. That way you can avoid any potential image degradation that may come from the LUTs.

It's an attempt at emulating Baselight's FilmGrade.

Some updates and additions since the last post. There are now 16 plugins, and all available for macOS, Win x64, and Linux. Balance BlueBox ChannelBox FilmGrade HueConverge HueKey LiftGammaGain LumaKey Matrix Qualifier ResolveMath ResolveMathxtra SaturationKey SoftClip TwelveWay VideoGrade BaldavengerOFX macOS BaldavengerOFX Win x64 BaldavengerOFX Linux Hopefully they'll be of some use.

Resolve OFX plugins update: New versions of the plugins, and now also available for Win x64 Mac plugins Win plugins

Yes, why let actual precision and colour accuracy get in the way of a more "fun" and popular approach. Not all colourists think that way though. Some are more technically minded (heaven forbid), in so much that they actually know what they're doing, whereas others are more like colour plumbers, with a toolbox of tricks and a gut instinct. Fair enough, the world will always need plumbers. However, a technical problem thats requires precise mathematical formulae cannot be solved with just positive attitude and excellent client skills, and trying to bluff your way around that won't improve the quality of your images either. I suggest perhaps trying to raise the bar a little (instead of lowering it even further), and putting the onus on enhanced technical knowledge rather than what best suits your mood or whim.

There should be no artefacts or information loss if the transforms are performed mathematically in 32bit float, which I believe is the case with Baselight colour management as well as RCM in Resolve. Only when there is an analogue emulation (film stock) is a 3D LUT utilised, but other than that all transforms are based on linearise/de-linearise formulae and 3x3 matrices, so in theory are all invertible without loss of information.

If the transforms are being performed using LUTs then that might explain some of the issues you're getting. A 'cleaner' process may well produce better results.

Since the release of Resolve 12.5 it is possible to compile custom OFX plugins specifically for the software. The DCTL option is a quicker and easier approach to custom scripting (and an excellent one at that), but when adjustable parameters are required you'll need OFX. Given the potential for open source expansion (and emulation of features present in other software), I'm a bit surprised it hasn't become a bigger deal. Perhaps it will in time. I've put together a few examples. Most are both CUDA and OpenCL compliant. The plugins are for Mac OSX, but the source files for compiling on other platforms are included, plus the DCTLs work cross-platform (Studio version). https://github.com/baldavenger http://liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php?threads/dctls-and-resolve-ofx.7046/