How to Remove A Lut From A Braw File

Want to know how to remove a LUT from a Braw file? Do not worry we have got you covered with this comprehensive guide.

BRAW (Blackmagic RAW) files provide excellent image quality and post-production flexibility. Occasionally, you may have a BRAW file already containing a LUT(Look Up Table ). IF you want to know how to remove a lut from a braw file follow the easy methods below.

BRAW and LUTs: What You Need To Know

A Look Up Table (LUT) is a set of predetermined color values that serves as a guide for transforming one range of colors into another. It’s commonly used in the field of color grading and post-production in filmmaking and photography.

In simpler terms, a LUT acts like a filter or recipe that adjusts the colors in an image or video. Filmmakers and photographers often use LUTs to achieve specific looks, correct color inconsistencies, or match the color grading of different shots in a project.

For example, a cinematographer might apply a LUT to give a scene a vintage, sepia tone or to enhance the contrast and saturation for a more vibrant look. In digital media production, LUTs contribute to achieving a desired visual style and maintaining consistency across different shots or scenes.

How About Braw?

BRAW stands for Blackmagic RAW, which is a type of video file format developed by the company Blackmagic Design. It is designed to store high-quality video data captured by Blackmagic cameras.

BRAW files are known for their ability to retain a significant amount of image information, providing flexibility and high quality during post-production processes like color grading and editing.

The Blackmagic RAW format allows filmmakers and video professionals to work with a more extensive range of color and dynamic range information, giving them greater control over the final look of their footage. It is often used in professional video production due to its capacity to maintain image quality while offering efficiency in storage and editing workflows.

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Using a LUT can quickly alter the mood and style of your footage. However, there are situations where you might want to stick with the original, untouched image captured by the BRAW sensor.

Blackmagic Raw, can store Look-Up Table (LUT) information in two ways:

1. Embedded LUT: The LUT info is kept inside the BRAW file itself. This helps maintain a consistent look when using different systems or software. When you use the BRAW file in compatible video editing software, it might automatically use the embedded LUT.
2. Sidecar LUT: Alternatively, the LUT info can be stored in a separate sidecar file, often with a .BLG extension. This file contains the color grading info linked to the BRAW file. Users can choose to apply or remove the LUT as needed. Sidecar LUTs are useful for a non-destructive workflow, allowing easy adjustments without changing the original BRAW file.

How to Remove a LUT from a Braw File

As promised we will show you how to remove a lut from a braw file, we list and explain the 3 methods you can use to extract Lut from a Braw file.

Extract LUT From Braw FIle With Davinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve Studio, the complimentary editing software developed by Blackmagic Design, provides extensive control over BRAW files. To extract a LUT in Resolve, follow these steps:

1. Import your BRAW file: Drop the file into the Media Pool.
2. Open the Color tab: Select the “Color” icon on the Edit page timeline.
3. Access the Color Wheels: Locate the wheels corresponding to Lift, Gamma, Gain, and Offset.
4. Check for applied LUTs: If a LUT is applied, a node (small box) named after the LUT will be visible above the wheels.
5. Remove the LUT node: Right-click the LUT node and opt for “Delete Node.”
6. Export the adjusted BRAW: Go to the File menu, select “Deliver,” and export the file using your preferred settings.

Other Video Editing Software

When working with editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X, which may have limited BRAW support, directly removing embedded LUTs might not be feasible. However, you can achieve a comparable outcome through the following steps:

1. Apply a neutral LUT: When editing in Premiere Pro and you want to remove the LUT from a Braw File, you can make use of the “Apply LUT” effect and select a neutral LUT, such as “Log to Rec. 709.” This action essentially circumvents the embedded LUT, allowing for a clean starting point.
2. Utilize color correction tools: Manually adjust curves, color wheels, and other settings to attain the desired visual result. This approach enables you to fine-tune the color of the footage and achieve the look you want, compensating for the absence of a direct method to remove embedded LUTs.

Remove LUT from Braw By Editing The Sidecar LUT

• First, you need to find the sidecar lut file, it will have the same name Braw file but with a .xml file extension
• Once you find the sidecar lut file, now open in text editor like sublime text or notepad++
• In the opened xml file, search for the lines with the keywords “color_matrix” or “lut” and identify the LUT used.
• Now, you can you have the option to either delete the whole LUT reference or edit its value to “None” to deactivate the LUT.
• After completing the above step, you can now save your modified Sidecar file

Key Considerations Before Removing Lut for Braw File

When it comes to removing a LUT, it’s an irreversible process. Therefore, you should do your edits on a duplicate of your original BRAW file.

Please refer to the official Blackmagic RAW documentation If you’re uncertain about editing the sidecar file, or ask a qualified professional for help.

Also note that, the true potential of BRAW lies in its adaptability. To bring your creative vision to life you can mess around with various color correction methods and LUTs.

Although the removal of LUTs from a BRAW file may be your objective, BRAW presents an extensive range for color grading

Try out tools such as curves, primaries, qualifiers, and noise reduction to craft your distinct cinematic masterpiece. Remember, there’s no universal approach to color grading. Rely on your instincts, experiment, and enjoy the process!

Final Thoughts

We hope you can follow the guide above and figure out how to remove a LUT from a BRAW file properly.

Whether you’re a seasoned colorist or a beginner, BRAW empowers you to control your footage and realize your creative vision. So, grab your BRAW files, delve into the world of color, and let your creativity flow!

This article aims to be a helpful guide on removing LUTs from your BRAW footage. Remember, the post-production journey is as crucial as the initial capture. Embrace exploration, unleash creativity, and let your BRAW files shine!