FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nobe LutBake?

Nobe LutBake is a 3D LUT capture tool for DaVinci Resolve. It lets you turn any color correction into a portable .cube LUT file with a single keyboard shortcut, using a combination of an OFX plugin and a macOS menu bar app.

Does it work with the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

No. Nobe LutBake requires DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 or later. The free version of Resolve does not support external scripting, and versions before 19 lack the node control APIs that the menu bar app relies on.

Which LUT sizes are supported?

The plugin can generate LUTs in five sizes:

• 17x17x17 — Smallest, fastest to generate.

• 33x33x33 — Standard size, good balance of quality and file size.

• 64x64x64 — Native match for HALD 8. Zero interpolation error.

• 65x65x65 — High quality.

• 100x100x100 — Native match for HALD 10. Zero interpolation error.

For maximum accuracy, use a native HALD-matching size (64 with HALD 8, or 100 with HALD 10). These bypass interpolation entirely, producing LUTs that match the original grade exactly.

What HALD levels are available?

Five HALD levels are supported: 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16. Higher levels capture more color detail but require more image resolution. HALD level 8 (512x512 pixels) is the recommended default for most workflows.

What is the .cube file format?

The .cube format is an industry-standard 3D LUT file supported by virtually all color grading and compositing applications, including DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and many more.

Do I need Python installed?

The app defaults to System python3. You can install Python 3 via Homebrew (brew install python3) or from python.org. An optional Use fuscript (advanced) toggle is available in Settings > General > Python Interpreter if you need to run through Resolve's bundled interpreter.

Can I capture from different node graphs?

Yes. The app supports four node graph types: Clip, Timeline (default), Group Pre-Clip, and Group Post-Clip. Group node graphs require the clip to be assigned to a Color Group in Resolve. On DaVinci Resolve 20+, the app automatically scans all graphs in processing order to find your LutBake nodes.

What is DRX export?

DRX is DaVinci Resolve's still image format used in the Gallery. When DRX export is enabled, Nobe LutBake will grab a still after each LUT capture and export it as a .drx file alongside the LUT. This is useful for archiving the visual reference with the LUT.

What types of corrections can be captured as a LUT?

A 3D LUT maps input colors to output colors — it captures any correction that transforms RGB values. This includes:

• Curves, color wheels, lift/gamma/gain, offset

• HSL qualifiers (hue, saturation, luminance targeting)

• Color space transforms (CSTs, IDTs, ODTs)

• Color-based OFX plugins (e.g., color grading plugins that remap colors)

The following cannot be represented in a 3D LUT because they depend on more than just color values:

• Spatial effects — blur, sharpening, resize, keyers/mattes

• Temporal effects — denoise, motion blur, frame blending

• Texture effects — grain, lens flares, vignettes, diffusion

Disable or move these effects outside the two LutBake nodes before capturing. If they remain active in the capture range, the resulting LUT will not match your graded image.

Note for users coming from Resolve's Generate LUT: Resolve's built-in LUT export automatically bypasses spatial effects in OFX plugins. LutBake does not — it captures everything between the two nodes, giving you full control over what is included. The app automatically detects 40+ known spatial tools (including Power Windows, blur, grain, noise reduction, and third-party plugins) before each capture. On DaVinci Resolve 20+, you can auto-disable detected effects during capture and restore them afterward. Post-capture mathematical validation catches anything the scan missed.

Why use Nobe LutBake instead of Resolve's built-in LUT export?

Three reasons:

1. Higher quality LUTs — Up to 100x100x100 cube resolution with native HALD-matching sizes for zero interpolation error, configurable decimal precision (up to 16 digits), and optional output clamping to [0,1] for compatibility. Nobe LutBake produces higher quality, more accurate LUTs than Resolve's built-in export.

2. Keyboard-driven speed — One global hotkey captures a LUT without touching the mouse or opening any dialogs. No workflow interruption — stay in your grade and keep working.

3. Smart file naming — Auto-incrementing filename templates with show, IDT, ODT, and note placeholders, plus a custom output directory. No manual renaming between captures.

Does the HALD level need to match on both nodes?

Yes. The HALD Generator and LUT Generator nodes must use the same HALD level for accurate LUT extraction.

How does the license work?

Each license covers 1 seat — one Mac at a time. You can deactivate the license on one machine and activate it on another whenever you need to move it. No subscription — it's a one-time purchase with free updates.

Activate in Settings → License using your email and license key. If direct activation fails (firewall/proxy), use the Activate with Code method. See the License page for detailed instructions.

Do I need to restart Resolve after activating?

Yes. The menu bar app picks up the license immediately, but DaVinci Resolve needs to be restarted so the OFX plugin loads with the active license.