Colorist Inspiration – ACES In May

Hi Dan,

Quick question and i think i know the answer but just to be sure ow you see this. Once in an ACES workflow , using LUTS is sort of out of the question right ? As most if not all LUTS assume a different non linear colorspace like REC709 as input. (and often unknown to begin with if you have a big collection)
Does it make sense in case you “do” want to play with some LUTS to get some ideas flowing to use the colorspace transform node in a pair around the lut to go into the luts colorspace and then back to ACEScc/cct ? Or does it completely defeat the whole idea or worse.
Again this is more from the standpoint of creative posibilities rather then what makes sense. Sometime the best results come from stuff that is not “supposed” to be used in a specific workflow. Something you always propagate as well btw 😉

Hi Dan,

Quick question and i think i know the answer but just to be sure ow you see this. Once in an ACES workflow , using LUTS is sort of out of the question right ? As most if not all LUTS assume a different non linear colorspace like REC709 as input. (and often unknown to begin with if you have a big collection)
Does it make sense in case you “do” want to play with some LUTS to get some ideas flowing to use the colorspace transform node in a pair around the lut to go into the luts colorspace and then back to ACEScc/cct ? Or does it completely defeat the whole idea or worse.
Again this is more from the standpoint of creative posibilities rather then what makes sense. Sometime the best results come from stuff that is not “supposed” to be used in a specific workflow. Something you always propagate as well btw 😉

Hey Dan,
Great idea and interesting timing. I thought of testing it out (aces) and now convinced with your article to do so.
i did try it once and it was successful experience, wonder why I didn’t explore more after.. but I will now 🙂
Cheers!
Nurali

Hey Dan,
Great idea and interesting timing. I thought of testing it out (aces) and now convinced with your article to do so.
i did try it once and it was successful experience, wonder why I didn’t explore more after.. but I will now 🙂
Cheers!
Nurali

DR14 supports Common LUT Format (CLF). This is going to make easer to deal with the creative choice in ACES workflow, different from LMT.

Here is a quote from ACES Central related to the subject:
Steve Shaw wrote:
There are often needs to adapt ACES for use in workflows that require the use of LUTs, or even convert LUTs into ctl files (but beware ‘undoing a complex LUT is like unbaking a cake…).

To assist with such workflows, LightSpace CMS provides a selection of tools that enables the conversion of any .ctl (ACES based or otherwise) files (IDT/RRT/ODT, etc.) into LUTs, as well as the conversion of LUTs into .ctl files (IDT/RRT/ODT, etc.), enabling the simple generation of user designed Look workflows.

Source: http://acescentral.com/t/working-with-luts-idts-and-more-within-aces/267

See: http://www.lightillusion.com/aces_manual.html31

There is also an example of Look LUT generation based on ACES data here:

http://www.lightillusion.com/free_look_luts.html35

DR14 supports Common LUT Format (CLF). This is going to make easer to deal with the creative choice in ACES workflow, different from LMT.

Here is a quote from ACES Central related to the subject:
Steve Shaw wrote:
There are often needs to adapt ACES for use in workflows that require the use of LUTs, or even convert LUTs into ctl files (but beware ‘undoing a complex LUT is like unbaking a cake…).

To assist with such workflows, LightSpace CMS provides a selection of tools that enables the conversion of any .ctl (ACES based or otherwise) files (IDT/RRT/ODT, etc.) into LUTs, as well as the conversion of LUTs into .ctl files (IDT/RRT/ODT, etc.), enabling the simple generation of user designed Look workflows.

Source: http://acescentral.com/t/working-with-luts-idts-and-more-within-aces/267

See: http://www.lightillusion.com/aces_manual.html31

There is also an example of Look LUT generation based on ACES data here:

http://www.lightillusion.com/free_look_luts.html35

Tnx, going to read up on it. Never heard of this CLF before

Tnx, going to read up on it. Never heard of this CLF before

It will be a trip to see what you come up with now. Re-inventing the way we approach things every couple years is really a necessity of pro-level work it seems.

It will be a trip to see what you come up with now. Re-inventing the way we approach things every couple years is really a necessity of pro-level work it seems.

Color management is the real deal and I can’t argue with that. I think the “Look LUTs” are a crock for the most part. DCTLs also have some intriguing potential. And I have no problem with technical LUTs, especially for dailies and VFX previews. So… LUTs have their use. I just think they get in the way of final color a lot of the time. I haven’t had a chance to play with Common LUT Format yet, but I’ll try to keep an open mind. And I’m a huge fan of PowerGrades… since those can be customized and tweaked and bent in ways you can’t adjust LUTs.

Color management is the real deal and I can’t argue with that. I think the “Look LUTs” are a crock for the most part. DCTLs also have some intriguing potential. And I have no problem with technical LUTs, especially for dailies and VFX previews. So… LUTs have their use. I just think they get in the way of final color a lot of the time. I haven’t had a chance to play with Common LUT Format yet, but I’ll try to keep an open mind. And I’m a huge fan of PowerGrades… since those can be customized and tweaked and bent in ways you can’t adjust LUTs.

Looooove powergrades. Specialy as it is open box instead of closed box LUT. You can analyse, learn hwo stuff is done and take just part of it. Tweak it etc.

p.s Marc, i remember you once posted your technique/workflow (i thougth it was you but could be mistaken) , to build a powergrade from a LUT using ramps / colors etc and the scopes. Google did not help me find it.
How was that again ? Like first a grayscale ramp matching/neutralize then color ramps (match/neutralize)? Or some other split combine stuff.

Looooove powergrades. Specialy as it is open box instead of closed box LUT. You can analyse, learn hwo stuff is done and take just part of it. Tweak it etc.

p.s Marc, i remember you once posted your technique/workflow (i thougth it was you but could be mistaken) , to build a powergrade from a LUT using ramps / colors etc and the scopes. Google did not help me find it.
How was that again ? Like first a grayscale ramp matching/neutralize then color ramps (match/neutralize)? Or some other split combine stuff.

Actual i found it it was not you but Robbie
https://mixinglight.com/color-tutorial/using-resolves-curves-to-deconstruct-a-look/

The trick i took from there was the intensity sliders on the curves to zero to reverse the curves you create to neutralize the lut look.