> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.timeinpixels.com/nobe-lutbake/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Set up your first LUT capture in DaVinci Resolve

This guide walks you through setting up Nobe LutBake in DaVinci Resolve and capturing your first LUT.

{% embed url="<https://timeinpixels.com/nobe-lutbake/2026-02-13_LutBake.mp4>" %}
One-keystroke LUT capture while grading in DaVinci Resolve
{% endembed %}

## Prerequisites

Make sure you have completed the [installation](/nobe-lutbake/installation.md) and meet the [requirements](/nobe-lutbake/requirements.md):

* Nobe LutBake app installed and running in the menu bar
* OFX plugin installed (check the app's menu bar popover for status)
* **Local scripting enabled** in DaVinci Resolve — go to **Preferences > General** and set **External scripting using** to **Local** (see [Requirements](/nobe-lutbake/requirements.md#enable-local-scripting))

## Step 1: Set Up the Node Graph

1. Open DaVinci Resolve Studio and go to the **Color** page.
2. Select a clip in the timeline.
3. Open the **OpenFX** panel and drag **Nobe LutBake** onto the **first node** in the chain. Set its mode to **HALD Generator**.
4. Add your color correction nodes after it (curves, wheels, LUTs, etc.).
5. Drag another **Nobe LutBake** onto the **last node** in the chain. Set its mode to **LUT Generator**.
6. **Label the first node** as `HALD` — Resolve 19 uses this label to find the node. Resolve 20 and later discover the two LutBake effects automatically, so labeling is optional.
7. **Disable the HALD node** (**Ctrl+D** / **Cmd+D**) so it doesn't render the HALD pattern into your image. The app will automatically enable it during LUT capture and disable it again afterward.

Your node graph should look like this:

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    H["HALD Generator node"] --> G["Your grading nodes"]
    G --> L["LUT Generator node"]
    L --> O["Captured .cube LUT"]
```

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-179517d6b0d1c7a81e2cebfe9ad5f404f68cf0e2%2Fnobe-lutbake-node-setup.jpeg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Node setup: HALD Generator → Your Color Corrections → LUT Generator</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Disable spatial and temporal effects before capture.** LutBake captures everything between the two nodes — unlike Resolve's built-in Generate LUT function, spatial effects are **not** automatically bypassed. Blur, sharpening, noise reduction, glow, grain, Power Windows, and similar effects cannot be represented in a 3D LUT and will produce a LUT that does not match your grade. Disable these effects or place them on nodes outside the LutBake capture range.

The app automatically detects 40+ spatial tools before each capture. On DaVinci Resolve 20+, you can auto-disable detected effects during capture and restore your original grade afterward. Post-capture mathematical validation catches anything the scan missed. Correct node placement is still the most reliable safeguard.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure both nodes use the **same HALD level**. The default level 8 works well for most workflows.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
On Resolve 20 and later, automatic capture requires exactly two Nobe LutBake effects on separate nodes across the current clip, group, and timeline graphs. Keep the HALD Generator first in processing order and the LUT Generator second. Remove extra LutBake effects before capturing.
{% endhint %}

## Step 2: Configure the App

Click the Nobe LutBake icon in the menu bar to open the popover.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f66317253e5c8a052d76a2a5787d59cc8d047a31%2Fnobe-lutbake-menu.png?alt=media" alt="" width="300"><figcaption><p>Menu bar popover</p></figcaption></figure>

Open **Settings** to configure:

* **Output folder** — Where LUT files will be saved.
* **Filename template** — Use placeholders like `{index}` for auto-incrementing numbers.
* **LUT size** — 17, 33, 64, 65, or 100 (overrides the plugin's UI setting). Use 64 with HALD 8 for best accuracy.
* **Clamp output to 0..1** — Enabled by default to maximize compatibility with LUT consumers that expect normalized output.
* **Node label** — The label of your HALD Generator node (default: `HALD`). Optional on Resolve 20+ (auto-discovery).
* **Node graph** — Clip, Timeline, Group Pre-Clip, or Group Post-Clip.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fd5f6b23e55680b7c767fd4bd5c65aaa3dddcf73%2Fnobe-lutbake-settings-general.png?alt=media" alt="" width="400"><figcaption><p>General settings</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-eec445c535b5e3eac763cc45cfb6757d02354e0d%2Fnobe-lutbake-settings-lut.png?alt=media" alt="" width="400"><figcaption><p>LUT settings</p></figcaption></figure>

## Step 3: Capture a LUT

Press the global keyboard shortcut (default: **Cmd+Shift+L**) or click **Capture LUT** in the menu bar popover.

The app will automatically enable the HALD node, capture the LUT, disable the node, and show a notification when complete. If DRX export is enabled, a still will be grabbed as well.

Your `.cube` LUT file is now saved and ready to use.

## Step 4: Customize the Keyboard Shortcut

Go to **Settings > Shortcuts** to change the global capture shortcut.

<figure><img src="https://565437294-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MFqn5MuayPgQPMZ9pwf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-64cee27372efa33b3a9706b6bc0eb4a43281c85a%2Fnobe-lutbake-settings-shortcuts.png?alt=media" alt="" width="400"><figcaption><p>Keyboard shortcut settings</p></figcaption></figure>

## Node Graph Types

The app can access HALD nodes in different node graphs:

| Type                | Description                         |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Clip**            | Main clip node tree                 |
| **Timeline**        | Timeline-level node graph (default) |
| **Group Pre-Clip**  | Applied before clip corrections     |
| **Group Post-Clip** | Applied after clip corrections      |

On DaVinci Resolve 20+, the app scans all graphs in processing order (Pre-Clip → Clip → Post-Clip → Timeline) to find exactly two LutBake effects automatically. The selected graph is used for Resolve 19, where the configured HALD label must identify one node in that graph.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Group Pre-Clip and Group Post-Clip require the clip to be assigned to a **Color Group** in Resolve.
{% endhint %}