Processing and Formatting Effects > Colour Management > Creating Custom 1D LUTs >

# Defining a Basic LUT Type

One way to begin creating a custom LUT using the LUT Editor is by defining the type of LUT you want to use. You can choose the conversion LUT type for converting logarithmic data to linear data, linear to logarithmic, or for creating a LUT to manipulate images that are already linear. Each of these selections sets up the appropriate conversion curve. It also includes selecting a bit-depth for the output. Alternatively, you can also choose a predetermined selection set or import a LUT as a starting point. Each of these techniques is discussed in this section.

Another way to create a custom LUT is to load a LUT Editor setup. See Loading LUT Editor Setups.

NoteThe procedures in this section do not apply to 3D LUTs.

To select a basic LUT type:

1. From the Conversion LUT Type box in the LUT Editor, select an option.

   Select: | To:
   --- | ---
   Log to Lin | Begin with a standard curve for converting logarithmic data to linear data.
   Lin to Log | Begin with a standard curve for converting linear data to logarithmic data.
   Gamma | Begin with a standard curve for modifying linear data.
   Import | Import a LUT to use its curve as a basic LUT. See the following procedure.
   3D LUT | Import a 3D LUT. See Processing Clips with 3D LUTs.
   PhotoMap | Begin with a standard curve for tone mapping. Tone Mapping in the LUT Editor.

   The conversion curves for the basic LUT type you selected appear in the LUT Editor as the basic LUT.

2. Select an output bit-depth option from the Destination box. You can output 8 to 12 bits, or 16-bit floating point per channel.

To select a LUT preset:

1. Select an option from the Presets box.
2. Confirm your selection to replace existing settings.

The Conversion LUT Type and the field values are all updated with preset conversion parameters.

The following LUT descriptions are displayed as a note when you load a preset LUT from the LUT Editor in Batch.

LUT: | Description:
--- | ---
Log_to_SceneLinear | Converts Cineon-style logarithmic values to scene-linear values.
PhotoMap_Identity_transform | Example showing how to create an identity transform with the PhotoMap tool. May be used as a starting point for subtle adjustments.
SceneLinear_to_Log | Converts scene-linear values to Cineon-style logarithmic values.
SceneLinear_to_Video_same_as_Viewer | Emulates the "Linear" mode in the viewer.
SceneLinear_to_Video_via_sRGB | This preset only applies an sRGB monitor curve as a tone mapping operator. Although often innapropriate, this technique is ubiquitously used by third party compositing applications to convert scene linear footage. The preset is meant for visual compatibility, and should not be mistaken for a correct one.
Video_to_SceneLinear | Inverse tone-map transform to convert video to scene-linear for normal images.
Video_to_SceneLinear_via_sRGB | This preset only applies an sRGB monitor curve as a tone mapping operator. Although often inappropriate, this technique is ubiquitously used by third party compositing applications to convert scene linear footage. The preset is meant for visual compatibility, and should not be mistaken for a correct one.

To import a LUT to use its curve as a basic LUT:

1. Select Import from the Conversion LUT Type box.
2. Click Import.

   The file browser appears.

3. Locate and select the LUT that you want to import.

   You are returned to the LUT Editor.

   The LUT name appears in the field below the Import button. The imported LUT's conversion curves appear in the LUT Editor as the basic LUT.

   NoteWhen you import a LUT, advanced settings are merged into the basic setting. In order to access the settings used to create a LUT, you must load the LUT, not import it. See Loading LUT Editor Setups.