Using and Saving Look Up Tables by Caroline Julia Moore
Look Up Tables (LUTs) have historically been used in the film industry to set color tone. They can also be applied to images in Photoshop from version CS6 onwards, where there is an option in the Adjustments Layer Menu for ‘Color Lookup’. The Color Lookup option contains a number of presets. The presets differ from Actions (atn files) in that they perform a one click change that alters the color of an image in correspondence to the tonal range of the LUT. The colors form the original image are remapped to an alternate range of colors.
Here you will learn how to apply LUTs and how you can save your own LUTs
Look Up Tables (LUTs) have historically been used in the film industry to set color tone. They can also be applied to images in Photoshop from version CS6 onwards, where there is an option in the Adjustments Layer Menu for ‘Color Lookup’. The Color Lookup option contains a number of presets. The presets differ from Actions (atn files) in that they perform a one click change that alters the color of an image in correspondence to the tonal range of the LUT. The colors form the original image are remapped to an alternate range of colors.
Here you will learn how to apply LUTs and how you can save your own LUTs as presets. Note that you can only save LUTs if you have Photoshop CC 2014 or above.
This tutorial contains both a written and video component.
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Thank You Julia fofr taaking me another step forward.
🙂 you are very welcome
I have been using LUTs for awhile, but did not know how to create them, thanks for this Caroline, it’s great!
It’s a handy thing to know. Especially if you are creating a series of images with the same tone
I have just recently started using LUTs, myself. I wasn’t real impressed until I started stacking, reducing opacity and changing blend modes. Now, no image is complete without! LOL
Thank you for the marvelous tutorial!
Su
So pleased Su. They are really useful. I use them in all my work now!
Every day is a school day. Perfect timing with this one Caroline. I have recently started using Lut’s but wasn’t completely clear about how to create my own. Like most things, its easy when you know how 🙂
Yay 🙂 that’s great Alan
Thank you Caroline for an excellent tutorial. Like others who commented here, I occasionally use LUT’s but had not considered making my own.
🙂
Thank you Caroline, as always great information.
I have tried to export my own LUTs. The export works fine, but when i want to use my set an error message appear:
“Could not parse the 3D LUT because of a problem using the Adobe Color Engine”. Would you know what I could try to fix my problem or should I contact Adobe?
Thank you
Hi Caroline and everyone else who is interested. I worked out my problem. I left the quality on MAXIMUM (256 colours) when exporting my file. I changed the quality to HIGH (64 colours). It is working fine now.
Thank you.
So sorry I have just seen this. Glad you worked out the problem
Superb tutorial as always Caroline. Thank you.
thanks Kate 😀
Thanks for the tutorial. Question – I read somewhere that there is a limit to the number of LUTs that can be stored in the 3D folder and will display. Is this true? The article suggested using Layer Comps window to store LUTs for easy review but I did not understand the tutorial – can this be done? Thanks
This is great to know! It seems like this would be a great way to get consistency for a ton of images shot in the same lighting conditions, such as a wedding reception. I do believe this will save me a TON of time from here on out!
Thank you Caroline this info is great, I always struggle with colour consistency in a set of images so this is going to help lots.
I’m confused. I can’t see how to use LUTs non-destructively, there seems no option but to act directly on the layer. Also, under Device and Abstract I see nothing. If I try to ‘load’ it just goes to my photos and says no images match…
Any ideas please? I’m on CC, probably the latest…
Ta.
Judith, when you add a Color Lookup adjustment layer, it should be creating a new layer just like any other adjustment layer. I think you may be adding the adjustment through the options bar at the top of Photoshop. Make sure you add the adjustment using the split circle icon right below your layer stack. Also, I’m not even sure what Device and Abstract are used for. I think the main thing to notice is the 3DLUT files, which includes built in files and allows you to import new ones. Hope this helps!
The tutorial shows options in both abstract & device link profile LUTS. I use latest photoshop CC but have same problem as Judith above – nothing there, only in 3D options. Cannot figure it out…..help, thanks.
Hi Denise,
When we apply Luts, we always use 3DLutFile option which is default. Once you have saved your Luts file, let’s say make some minor adjustments to any image using adjustment layers, then select all the adjustment layers that you made, after that go to File > Export > ColorLookup tables. Photoshop will export a LUTs file. Either you can put that exported LUTs to 3DLUTs folder (Local Disk > Program Files > Adobe Photoshop 2021 > Presets > 3DLUTs) and that also requires to restart Photoshop to load the LUts file or you can use it right away by clicking on the Load 3D Lut option in the Color Lookup adjustment. Once you click on the Load 3D Option button, you can navigate to the exported LUTs to load it instantly.
I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Bunty