> 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/manual-capture.md).

# Manual LUT Capture

You can capture LUTs directly from the OFX plugin inside DaVinci Resolve, without using the menu bar app. This is useful if you prefer a fully manual workflow or don't have the app installed.

## Prerequisites

* Nobe LutBake OFX plugin installed in DaVinci Resolve
* Node graph set up with a **HALD Generator** node before your corrections and a **LUT Generator** node after them (see [Getting Started](/nobe-lutbake/getting-started.md) for setup instructions)

## Step 1: Enable the HALD Generator Node

Make sure the HALD Generator node is **enabled** (not bypassed). You should see a colored grid pattern overlaid on the top-left corner of the image in the Resolve viewer.

{% hint style="info" %}
Unlike the menu bar app workflow — where the app toggles the HALD node automatically — in the manual workflow you need to enable and disable it yourself.
{% endhint %}

## Step 2: Match Settings on Both Nodes

Open the OFX settings on both nodes and verify that the **HALD Level** is the same. If the levels don't match, the extracted LUT will be incorrect.

Also check that your timeline resolution is large enough for the selected HALD level:

| HALD Level | Minimum Resolution |
| ---------- | ------------------ |
| 4          | 64 × 64            |
| 8          | 512 × 512          |
| 10         | 1000 × 1000        |
| 12         | 1728 × 1728        |
| 16         | 4096 × 4096        |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Disable spatial effects before capture.** Blur, sharpening, noise reduction, grain, Power Windows, and similar effects between the two LutBake nodes will corrupt the captured LUT. Disable them or place them on nodes outside the capture range. See [Getting Started](/nobe-lutbake/getting-started.md) for more details.
{% endhint %}

## Step 3: Set the Output Path

On the **LUT Generator** node, set the **Output Path** field to the desired `.cube` file location. The target directory must already exist — the plugin will not create it.

You can also configure these optional settings on the LUT Generator node:

* **LUT Size** — 17³, 33³, 64³, 65³, or 100³. Use 64 with HALD 8 or 100 with HALD 10 for zero interpolation error.
* **Title** and **Description** — metadata written into the `.cube` file header.
* **Decimal Precision** — number of decimal places in the output (1–16, default 10).
* **Clamp Output 0..1** — clamps values to the `[0, 1]` range for broad compatibility (enabled by default).

## Step 4: Save the LUT

Click the **Save LUT** button on the LUT Generator node. The plugin reads the color-corrected HALD pattern from the image, extracts the 3D LUT, and writes the `.cube` file to the specified path.

Once the LUT is saved, **disable the HALD Generator node** to restore normal viewing.

{% hint style="success" %}
Your `.cube` file is ready to use in any application that supports 3D LUTs.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
For best results, use **YRGB** color science in DaVinci Resolve when capturing LUTs.
{% endhint %}