- Photographic DCTLs
This set of DCTL scripts is about experimenting with the math behind color science, including LogC, ACES AP0, Cineon, and more. It's a creative, photography-inspired take, focusing on looks and print emulation techniques instead of strict technical workflows. The project is still evolving, so new ideas and techniques will be added over time. Some of the concepts are a bit experimental and might overlap with Resolve's built-in tools, and the file names or structure could change as things develop.
Change log:
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2025-06-15 | PD-LogC3-FilmMatrix: Added legacy LogC3 film matrix |
| 2025-06-15 | PD-Transform: Fixed issue with sRGB in and out |
| 2025-06-06 | PD-Transform: Added support for DaVinci Wide Gamut |
| 2025-06-03 | PD-Transform: Fixed an issue with incorrect INGEN5 instead of INFILM5 enum |
To use these tools into your DaVinci Resolve setup, begin by cloning the git repository or download the release package, which contains the DCTLs and headers.
Run python(.exe) run.py install in your terminal to copy the *.dctl and *.h files to the DaVinci Resolve LUT DCTL folder, ensuring they're accessible within your Resolve environment. The files can also be manually copied to /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT/DCTL on Mac and C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\LUT\DCTLon Windows.
For added convenience, the run.py script is provided, enabling easy access to various resources.
To open the DCTL readme documentation:
./run.py readmeFor exploring DCTL examples:
./run.py examplesTo access the DaVinci Resolve log file and initiate a trace:
./run.py installTo install *.dctl and *.h into DCTL directory:
./run.py logTo make a snapshot of hte DaVinvi Resolve DCTL folder:
./run.py snapshot./install.batAll DCTLs are tested and confirmed to work with Metal, CUDA, and OpenCL on both Mac and Windows platforms.
Cineon exposure from photographic stops, incorporating a zone based false color to aid in achieving correct exposure levels.
Cineon negative inversion with precise control over the dmin ratio based inversion process using adjustable parameters such as density, bit depth, offset, and density scale. You can specify dmin base values manually as floating-point numbers (obtained from tools like Pixel Analyzer in Nuke or similar software) or sample them using a rectangular sampler from the border or other dmin base areas.
LogC3 exposure from photographic stops, incorporating a zone based false color to aid in achieving correct exposure levels.
Made for print emulation, this DCTL applies DaVinci Resolve's built-in film looks to ARRI LogC3 and Cineon footage with adjustable controls for luminosity and color blending.
The film style matrix makes the color characteristics of the Log C image similar to negative film scanned on an ARRISCAN.
Grade adjustments, this DCTL is experimental code for lift, gamma, gain and log controls.
Matrix adjustments, a utility for copying matrix values.
Matrix adjustments, this DCTL simplifies the color palette by pushing colors into a warm and cool strip.
HSV-based adjustments, this DCTL provides a tool for fine-tuning saturation using saturation in HSV.
Tone curve adjustments for contrast, shoulder and toe controls.
Color space transformations to and from CIE XYZ linear, tone compress, ootf and white point adaptation.
| Color space | Description |
|---|---|
| CIE XYZ | Absolute colorimetric reference |
| AcesAP0 D60 | ACES input primaries |
| AcesAP1 D60 | ACES working space primaries |
| ARRI AWG3 D65 | ARRI Wide Gamut 3 |
| ARRI AWG4 D65 | ARRI Wide Gamut 4 |
| DaVinci Wide Gamut D65 | Resolve-native wide gamut |
| Rec709 D65 | HDTV color space |
| sRGB D65 | Standard RGB |
| DCI-P3 'D60 sim' D60 | DCI-P3 simulated for D60 viewing |
| DCI-P3 Theatrical D63 | For cinema projection |
| DCI-P3 D65 | DCI-P3 adapted to D65 |
| Blackmagic Gen5 D65 | Blackmagic Gen 5 camera space |
| Gamma | Description |
|---|---|
| Linear | Scene-linear light |
| AcesCC | Log encoding for ACES |
| AcesCCT | Log encoding, softer shadows |
| ARRI LogC3 | ARRI’s legacy log curve |
| ARRI LogC4 | ARRI’s updated log curve |
| Cineon | Kodak's film scan log format |
| DaVinci Intermediate | Resolve-native log transfer |
| sRGB / Gamma 2.2 | Common for displays |
| Rec709 / Gamma 2.4 | HDTV gamma |
| DCI-P3 / Gamma 2.6 | Theatrical gamma |
| Blackmagic Film | Blackmagic Film Gen5 log |
| Feature | Options |
|---|---|
| White Point Adaptation | D60 → D65, D63 → D65, D65 → D60, D65 → D63 |
| Tone Compression | Reinhard, Inverse Reinhard |
| Tone OOTF Mapping | DCI-P3 → Rec709, sRGB → Rec709, Rec709 → DCI-P3 |
| Exposure Index (EI) | For LogC3: EI 160 – EI 1600 |
Reference charts for testing and verifying DCTLs. Additional formats are available in the Logctool project README:
- Download: macbeth_50D_5203.exr
- Download: logctool_LogC3_stepchart_DCI_2K.exr
- Download: logctool_LogC3_colorchecker_DCI_2K.exr
Github projects
Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rec._709
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DCI-P3
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayscale
Format specifications
- http://www.dcimovies.com/archives/spec_v1_1/DCI_DCinema_System_Spec_v1_1.pdf
- https://docs.acescentral.com/specifications/acescc/#color-space
- https://www.arri.com/resource/blob/278790/dc29f7399c1dc9553d329e27f1409a89/2022-05-arri-logc4-specification-data.pdf
- https://dicomp.arri.de/digital/digital_systems/DIcompanion/index.html
- https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/InformationNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_17_Wide_Gamut_Intermediate.pdf?_v=1628751610000
- https://www.arri.com/en/learn-help/learn-help-camera-system/image-science/vfx-faq
DCTLs, apps and resources
- https://github.com/thatcherfreeman/utility-dctls
- https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/OpenRV/blob/main/src/plugins/rv-packages/additional_nodes
- https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?t=61073&p=348482
- https://skia.googlesource.com/skia/+/70e432e72745/gm/hsl.cpp
- https://colour.readthedocs.io
- https://github.com/ampas/aces-dev
- https://mononodes.com
Utilities
- https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- https://www.desmos.com/calculator/3zhzwbfrxd
- https://www.russellcottrell.com/photo/matrixCalculator.htm
- GitHub page: https://github.com/mikaelsundell/dctl
- Issues https://github.com/mikaelsundell/dctl/issues