Quick answer: A .cube LUT (Look-Up Table) is a small text file that tells your editing software how to remap every color in an image or video to a new color. Creative LUTs apply a finished “look” (like teal-and-orange) in one step. You load a .cube file in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut or Photoshop and it grades your footage instantly.
What is a .cube LUT?
A LUT is a lookup table that maps input colors to output colors. A 3D LUT — the kind saved as a .cube file — controls the full color cube (red, green, blue), so it can change hue, saturation and contrast together. Because it’s just a math table, the same .cube works across almost every video editor and in Photoshop, giving you a consistent look everywhere.
Two types of LUTs
- Technical (conversion) LUTs — convert one color space to another, e.g. turning flat “log” footage into standard Rec.709. These fix the picture but don’t add style.
- Creative (look) LUTs — apply a finished grade, like a cinematic teal-and-orange or a warm film look. This is what most people mean by a “LUT pack.”
If you shoot log, apply a conversion LUT first, then a creative LUT on top.
How to use a .cube LUT in Premiere Pro
- Select your clip and open the Lumetri Color panel.
- Open Creative → under Look, click the dropdown and choose Browse…
- Select your
.cubefile. Adjust the Intensity slider to taste.
How to use a .cube LUT in DaVinci Resolve
- Copy the
.cubeinto Resolve’s LUT folder (Project Settings → Color Management → Open LUT Folder). - Right-click the LUT list → Update Lists.
- In the Color page, right-click a node → LUTs → choose your LUT, or drag it onto the clip.
How to use a LUT in Final Cut Pro and Photoshop
- Final Cut Pro: add the Custom LUT effect to a clip, then choose the
.cubefile. - Photoshop: add a Color Lookup adjustment layer → Load 3D LUT → select the
.cube. Great for matching photos to your video grade.
Where to get quality .cube LUTs
Every CHROMA pack includes a hand-built .cube LUT plus a matching Lightroom preset, so your video and photos share one look:
- NORDIC TEAL (CHR-01) — cinematic teal-and-orange LUT.
- CINE HALATION (CHR-03) — film-glow LUT for a movie feel.
- The CHROMA bundle — all six LUT + preset pairs.
New to LUTs vs presets? Read our LUT vs preset guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a .cube file do?
It remaps the colors of your image or video according to a 3D lookup table, applying a color conversion or a finished creative look in one step.
Where do I put .cube files in DaVinci Resolve?
Copy them into Resolve’s LUT folder (open it from Project Settings → Color Management), then click Update Lists to see them in the LUT menu.
Can I use a .cube LUT in Photoshop?
Yes — add a Color Lookup adjustment layer and use Load 3D LUT to select your .cube file.
Do I need to convert log footage before applying a creative LUT?
Usually yes. Apply a technical conversion LUT (log to Rec.709) first, then add the creative LUT for the final look.
