How do I batch apply a LUT to an entire bin of source clips?

[Jeena22389650a1ho]

Does anyone know how to do this? I created a bin with a bin of clips all shot in LOG on the same camera. Now I want to apply the LUT to all clips in that bin, so that the LUT is automatically applied whenever I use those clips in any timeline. As of know, all I know how to do is goto the project panel, double click the first clip to open it in the source monitor, then goto Lumetri, browse for the LUT cube file on my desktop, and poof, It's applied. Then I went into Effects Controls on that clip, copied the Lumetri effect, then went and foundf the second clip in my project panel, opened it in the source monitor, then navigated to the effects controls tab, and then pasted the Lumetri effect. And on and on it goes. There's got to be a way to batch this. I know that if the clips are in a timeline, I can simply select them all, then navigate to the timeline Effects Controls panel and hit paste to apply to all, but of course, I want to do this for the "global" source clips, not a singular instance of them in any given timeline., Please and thanks!

[Jeena22389650a1ho]

and one follow up question. once i import the LUT, does it need to stay on my harddrive going forward, or does that cube file get baked into premiere somwhere, and then i can delete the file cube file i downloaded?

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi @Jeena22389650a1ho,

I read your note. You have the technique down right. Have you tried copy/pasting the Lumetri effect to multiple selected clips in the Project panel? If that doesn't work, perhaps you need to include the LUT in your Premiere Pro install. Place LUTs here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-discussions/faq-premiere-pro-lumetri-color-custom-lut-di...

Yes, the LUT needs to be on your computer, either in the file structure so it can be browsed or included in the installation, which I just gave you info about. Try a test out ans see if it works and come back with any questions. I hope the info helps.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Jeena22389650a1ho]

Hi Kevin, thanks for your reply. So I cannot apply LUT to an entire bin of footage at once? It needs to be done manually, clip by clip? This is quite surprising if so.

[R Neil Haugen]

Of course you can! But LUTs are applied via inclusion in a Lumetri panel, right?

So simply add the LUT preferably to the Creative tab LUT slot so you can trim clips into the LUT with the basic tab controls if needed. And of course, the LUT should be in the appropriate locations for user LUTs, and NOT in the same folders as the Premiere LUTs are stored in.

Now save that Lumetri instance as a preset.

Then select any clips you want, entire bins even. Drag/drop that preset onto the selection of clips.

Done.

[Stan Jones]

@R Neil Haugen @Kevin-Monahan,

I just completed a trip where I shot in log for the first time. And I am now in the workflow learning curve. I found this thread trying to apply a lut to all the clips in a timeline. As I recall when I was only paying little attention, things have been changing. And the help documents do not appear up to date. I'm still on Win10.

To apply an input lut to multiple clips at once, select them in the Project Panel, right-click, Modify -> Color -> Input Lut. Adding a LUT here puts the LUT into the single user location for reuse, even creating the Input folder.

The helpx article for luts and looks is here, but does not mention Input luts:

https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/looks-and-luts.html

The article that deals with applying input luts to source media is under Source Clip color settings here, but does not mention the method for adding LUTs for reuse.

https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/color-manager.html

Stan

[R Neil Haugen]

What camera and log format? What lUTs, from where?

For most uses, including professional workflows, the camera log formats that have recognition and tonemapping within Premiere is actually both mathematically safer for your pixels and less prone to issues. They give a slightly different 'normalization' look to the image, as will any different normalization LUTs for that log form.

All normalization processes, LUTs or algorithms (tonempping) include both technical and aesthetic decisions by those making the LUT or algo. Quite often the camera makers even provide 2-4 different LUTs for any specific camaera/log form for the user to choose which they like better.

The algorithms used in tonemapping will not clip or crush, which LUTs will do everytime your field-produced log media has any pixels with data outside that the LUT was designed to work with. As there isn't any math involved in the application of a LUT. Only in the creation of the LUT.

And the application of the normalization process is actually the crucial part for edtiors/colorists.

Now, if you are in a major shoot, and the overall director or producer says "Use this LUT" ... well, you need then to know several things before starting work.

1) Is it a normalization LUT, or only a 'look' LUT? Or something they think will do both in one step? (if that's the answer ... um ... start wondering ... you may hit other problems later ... )

 2) why they want that specific LUT loaded ... is it for that specfic look, or simply to ensure that the whole project is consistent with that specific log format?

3) Will a colorist be involved later, or are you doing the full meal deal of both edit & color? As that has multiple implications also.

[BuccoFreedom]

Hello Kevin-Monahan,

I clicked on your link so that I could install LUTS and have them show up in the dropdown menus for either Basic or Creative. However, the folders shown in the link you have above (for Windows) don't exist on my computer. It seems there is now a new folder for Lumetri instead?

I am using Premiere Pro 2024, could something have changed in the meantime?

Thanks.

Best,

Mark

[R Neil Haugen]

You typically have to create the "end" folders of the folder trees. So you have the general LUTs folder, whatever it's called. You probably need to add folders named Technical (Basic tab) and Creative (Creative tab) ... may also need Input (for CM Input LUT use).

Then park your LUTs in the appropriate folders.