DRONE COLOUR · THE BASICS

WHAT IS A LUT?

A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a file that maps one set of colour values to another. In drone video editing, a LUT can give footage a consistent colour treatment, from a technical conversion to a creative cinematic look. It does not repair poor exposure or white balance.

HOW DOES A LUT WORK?

A LUT changes how the colours and tones in an image are displayed. Editors can apply a .cube LUT to a clip, adjust its intensity, and make further corrections. Think of it as a repeatable colour transformation, not a one-click guarantee that every shot will look identical. Lighting, camera settings and the original colour profile still matter.

TECHNICAL VS CREATIVE LUTS

A technical conversion changes footage from one colour space or camera profile to another. For example, footage recorded in a flat/log profile may need the correct conversion to Rec.709 for standard viewing.

A creative LUT changes the mood or palette of footage already prepared for grading. DroneLUTs packs are creative looks intended for normal/standard or correctly converted Rec.709 footage. They are not camera-specific log conversion files. Applying one directly to unconverted D-Log, D-Log M, D-Cinelike, HLG or another flat profile can produce incorrect colour or contrast.

HOW TO USE A LUT ON DRONE FOOTAGE

  1. Identify the profile used to record the clip. Standard footage can generally be graded directly; flat or log footage needs the appropriate technical conversion first.
  2. Correct exposure and white balance so the LUT receives a balanced image.
  3. Apply a creative .cube LUT in a compatible editor, then adjust strength to suit the scene.
  4. Check skies, shadows, water and skin tones, and finish the grade with manual adjustments.

For software-specific steps, see the drone LUT installation guide.

WHICH FILE FORMAT SHOULD I USE?

Use a .cube LUT in compatible video editors such as DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and CapCut Desktop. For photo editing, use the included .xmp files in supported Lightroom versions, .lrtemplate in older Lightroom Classic, or .dng files for a Lightroom Mobile workflow. Editor support and import steps vary by version.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT LUTS

What does LUT stand for?

LUT stands for Look-Up Table. It maps input colour values to output values. In video editing, a LUT can transform the appearance of footage consistently across shots.

Do I need a LUT to edit drone footage?

No. You can grade footage manually. A creative LUT is a repeatable starting point for a look, not a requirement or a substitute for correcting exposure and white balance.

Can I apply a creative LUT directly to DJI D-Log or D-Log M?

Not if the creative LUT expects normal Rec.709 footage. First use the appropriate technical colour conversion for the profile you recorded, then apply the creative LUT and adjust its strength.

Are LUTs the same as Lightroom presets?

No. A .cube LUT maps colours for compatible video or photo tools. A Lightroom .xmp preset stores editing settings, while .dng files can carry settings into Lightroom Mobile. DroneLUTs supplies these formats for different workflows.

READY TO FIND A LOOK?

Explore individual drone LUT packs or the complete bundle. For camera-specific starting points, read the DJI, Autel and Potensic guides.