> 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

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` — the app uses this label to find the node. On DaVinci Resolve 20+, nodes are also discovered automatically, so labeling is optional but recommended.
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="/files/YgvGuxWRkHVcdeJjOuFB" 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 %}

## Step 2: Configure the App

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

<figure><img src="/files/8h6OsHzZKT1fXTVidanL" 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="/files/P49FLEE0ak5mM0HGWJUE" alt="" width="400"><figcaption><p>General settings</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/HUqa4ZrQ2wB5B7fVYBkR" 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="/files/5WbEEmfxGcyJ01pv8ytC" 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 your LutBake nodes automatically. The graph type setting is mainly used as a hint for older Resolve versions.

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