2011

Table Of Contents
About Color Correcting
Color correction describes any process that modifies the perceived color of an
image. The CC Basics tool options include a complete selection of color
manipulation tools that give you precise control over color values. You can
modify luma ranges in an image (shadows, midtones, and highlights), sample
colors, and set the color balance. You can also apply simulated camera exposure
and film development effects to images using the Photo Lab tool.
NOTE All color correction tools have a masking input that allows you to limit the
effect of the color correcting tool to a specific range of pixelssee
Pixel Masking
on page 560.
Applying LUTs
Film projects generally use digitized film images originating from a datacine
conversion process. These high-resolution scans of film frames preserve much
of a film's resolution, color depth, and grain. Digital film scan formats consist
of logarithmic data, which allows for more subtlety in the lower luma ranges
of an image. Linear data maps the luma range in equal intervals from black
to white. Because the algorithms are optimized for linear data, a look-up table
(LUT) can be used to convert the logarithmic data for a linear data
environment.
A LUT is an ASCII file that describes specific pixel values used for image data
conversion both on import and export. For example, you can use a LUT to
convert a 10-bit logarithmic film image to a 16-bit linear image on import.
Typically, you would apply the inverse LUT on export to restore the 10-bit
logarithmic data, ensuring that the result film prints match the original shots.
You can use two kinds of LUTs: 1D LUTs and 3D LUTs.
Calibrating your Monitor
Before using LUTs, you should calibrate your monitor. Monitor LUTs affect
the way images are displayed on the monitor without altering the image data.
If you import logarithmic film scans without conversion, you need to use a
monitor LUT to display the images correctly. Even when you apply a LUT to
film scans on import, you may still require a monitor LUT to reproduce the
gamma qualities of filmsee Chapter 4, Lustre Color Calibrator in the Lustre
Color Management User's Guide on the Composite Web Portal.
618 | Chapter 26 Color Correction