Tutorial

How to Install LUTs in DaVinci Resolve (Step-by-Step)

Step-by-step guide to installing .cube LUT files in DaVinci Resolve Free & Studio. Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Updated July 17, 2026 · DiveVerge Studio
DaVinci Resolve menus and LUT-location labels can change between releases. This guide uses the current general workflow; confirm the labels shown in your installed version.

Introduction

DaVinci Resolve includes a professional Color page in both its free and Studio editions, making it a practical option for applying and refining .cube LUT files. But if you’ve just purchased a LUT pack, figuring out where to put the files and how to apply them can be confusing.

This guide walks you through every step. It works for DaVinci Resolve Free and Studio, on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

What You Need

  • DaVinci Resolve with access to the Color page (free or Studio)
  • Your .cube LUT files (downloaded and unzipped)
  • A project with footage loaded

Method 1: Install Through Resolve Preferences (Recommended)

This is the safest workflow because Resolve opens or registers the LUT location it is currently configured to use.

  1. Open DaVinci Resolve Preferences.
  2. In the System settings, locate LUT Locations or Open LUT Folder. The exact label can vary by release.
  3. Open the configured LUT folder, then create a subfolder named DiveVerge.
  4. Copy the unzipped .cube files into that subfolder.
  5. Return to Resolve and select Update Lists, Refresh, or restart Resolve if your version does not show a refresh control.

Using the location exposed by Resolve is more reliable than assuming a fixed operating-system path.

Method 2: Apply a LUT to a Color Node

  1. Open the Color page and select the clip you want to grade.
  2. Add or select a serial node. Keeping the LUT on its own node makes the workflow easier to adjust or disable.
  3. Right-click the node and open the LUTs menu, or open the LUT browser.
  4. Navigate to the DiveVerge folder and choose the required camera and depth variant.
  5. Make exposure and white-balance corrections before the LUT node where practical, then refine the result after the LUT if needed.

A LUT is a colour transform, not an automatic final grade. Review scopes and skin, coral, sand, and water tones before export.

Method 3: Register a Custom LUT Location

If you store LUTs on another drive or in a shared project folder, add that folder under Resolve's LUT Locations preferences instead of copying the files into a system directory. Refresh the LUT list, then apply the LUT from the Color page as described above.

Keep the folder structure consistent between workstations. Projects can report a missing LUT when the same file is stored under a different path or subfolder on another machine.

How to Adjust LUT Intensity

After applying a LUT, you may want to reduce its strength:

  1. In the Color page, right-click the node with the LUT applied.
  2. Select Key Output → Gain.
  3. Reduce the value from 1.0 (100%) to 0.8 (80%), 0.6 (60%), etc.

Alternatively, create two nodes: - Node 1: Your original footage (no LUT). - Node 2: The LUT applied. - Use the Key Output on Node 2 to blend between the original and the graded version.

How to Apply One LUT to Multiple Clips

Option 1: Copy Grade

  1. Grade one clip with the LUT.
  2. Right-click the graded clip in the timeline.
  3. Select Grab Still.
  4. Select all other clips you want to grade.
  5. Right-click the still in the Gallery and select Apply Grade.

Option 2: PowerGrade

  1. After grading a clip, right-click the still in the Gallery.
  2. Select Add as PowerGrade. This makes it available across all projects.
  3. Apply the PowerGrade to any clip in any project.

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
LUTs don’t appear after copying Restart DaVinci Resolve
LUT looks too strong Reduce intensity to 60–80%
LUT makes footage too dark Increase exposure on a separate node before the LUT
LUT produces wrong colours Make sure you’re using the right camera variant (DJI, GoPro, or Insta360)
“Unsupported LUT format” Ensure the file is .cube format, not .3dl or .lut

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work in DaVinci Resolve Free?

Both editions support LUT workflows. Some broader grading, effects, and delivery features differ between Free and Studio, so consult the documentation for your installed version.

Can I use multiple LUTs on one clip?

Yes. Add multiple nodes and apply a different LUT to each. But for underwater footage, one camera-specific LUT is usually sufficient — additional nodes should be for exposure and contrast tweaks.

Do LUTs work with any footage format?

A LUT can be applied to footage Resolve can decode, but correct results depend on the image data, colour space, gamma, and expected input profile—not merely the container extension.

Where can I get underwater LUTs for DaVinci Resolve?

DiveVerge LUT packs are designed specifically for underwater footage from DJI, GoPro, and Insta360 cameras. All packs use standard .cube format.

→ Get DiveVerge LUT Packs

Summary

  • Install or register the .cube files, then select the required LUT from a dedicated node on the Color page.
  • Permanent: copy .cube files to the LUT folder and restart DaVinci.
  • Adjust intensity using Key Output Gain.
  • Copy grades to multiple clips using Grab Still or PowerGrade.
  • Use the correct camera-specific LUT variant for best results.