Installing LUTs in DaVinci Resolve takes less than two minutes — but if you skip one refresh step, they won’t appear in your list.

Here’s the exact process.

Step 1: Open LUT Folder in DaVinci Resolve

  1. Open DaVinci Resolve
  2. Go to DaVinci Resolve (top left menu)
  3. Click Preferences
  4. Navigate to the Color Management tab
  5. Under Lookup Tables, click Open LUT Folder

This opens the folder where Resolve reads .cube files.

Step 2: Copy Your LUT Files

Inside the LUT folder:

  • You’ll see existing folders like:
  • Blackmagic Design
  • ARRI
  • Panasonic

Create a new folder:

CleanLUTs

Now paste your .cube files into that folder.

If your pack includes subfolders, keep that structure intact.

Example:

CleanLUTs/ ├── LOG/ └── STD/

Keeping them organized makes application much faster later.

Step 3: Refresh LUT List (Most People Miss This)

Go back to Preferences > Color Management.

Click:

Update Lists

If you skip this step, your LUTs will not appear.

Click Save and close Preferences.

Step 4: Apply LUT in the Color Page

  1. Open the Color page
  2. Select your clip
  3. Add a new serial node (Right-click node area → Add Node → Add Serial)
  4. Right-click the node
  5. Choose 3D LUT
  6. Navigate to your CleanLUTs folder
  7. Select your LUT

Your look is now applied.

Optional: Adjust LUT Intensity

Instead of lowering clip opacity, use the node:

  1. Select the LUT node
  2. Go to the Key tab (key icon)
  3. Lower Key Output Gain

This works like an opacity slider for the LUT.

  • 1.0 = 100%
  • 0.6 = 60%
  • 0.3 = subtle look

This gives you fine control without degrading the image.

For best results:

  1. Primary correction node (exposure & balance)
  2. LUT node
  3. Secondary corrections (skin tones, sky, etc.)

Do not apply LUT before balancing exposure.

LUTs assume properly exposed footage.

Where LUTs Are Stored (Manual Path)

If you ever need to locate them manually:

Mac: Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT/

Windows: C:\\ProgramData\\Blackmagic Design\\DaVinci Resolve\\Support\\LUT\\

Note: ProgramData is a hidden folder.

Troubleshooting

LUT not showing up?

  • You didn’t click Update Lists.
  • File is not .cube.
  • File is corrupted or nested too deeply.

Image looks wrong?

  • Use the LOG folder for flat/log footage (S-Log3, C-Log, D-Log, BMD Film, etc.)
  • Use the STD folder for standard footage — phone clips, Rec.709, GoPro Standard

Applying a LOG LUT to standard footage will look washed out. Applying a STD LUT to log footage will look flat.

Final Notes

DaVinci Resolve handles LUTs cleanly and non-destructively. You can disable, adjust, or swap them instantly without affecting your original footage.

Once installed, they remain available in every project.

That’s it. Two minutes and you’re ready to grade.