The Anchorage
Personal website of Gregory K. Maxey, Commander USN (Retired)
The Anchorage
Personal website of Gregory K. Maxey, Commander USN (Retired)
The information, illustrations and code contained in my "Microsoft Word Tips" are provided free and without risk or obligation.
However, the work is mine. If you use it for commercial purposes or benefit from my efforts through income earned or time saved then a donation, however small, will help to ensure the continued availability of this resource.
If you would like to donate, please use the appropriate donate button to access PayPal. Thank you!
The PixelTools Hue/Shift™ DCTL Plug-In is a color-grading tool for DaVinci Resolve designed for professional look development using subtractive saturation and density. It allows users to adjust the six primary and secondary hues (red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, and magenta) in a natural way that mimics the behavior of film. Key Features & Technical Details
Subtractive Saturation: Unlike standard digital saturation that increases luminance, this tool reduces luminance as saturation increases, providing a richer, deeper look.
Density Control: Increases color depth by reducing luminance while increasing saturation, which is essential for creating authentic film-like palettes.
Workflow Support: Fully compatible with DaVinci Wide Gamut (DWG), ACES, Arri LogC, and Rec.709 Gamma 2.4.
Visual Interface: Includes an intuitive "Visual Vector" overlay for each hue, serving as a guide to ensure precision and confidence during the grading process. PixelTools hueShift DCTL Plug-In.zip
Skin Tone Tools: Features dedicated "skin" controls to allow for natural adjustments to skin tones without the need for complex keys or masks.
Compatibility: Designed exclusively for DaVinci Resolve Studio (version 17 or higher) on macOS, Windows, and Linux. It will display a watermark if used in the free version of Resolve. Installation Steps
Locate the Folder: In DaVinci Resolve, go to Project Settings > Color Management and click the "Open LUT Folder" button.
Copy Files: Extract the contents of the PixelTools hueShift DCTL Plug-In.zip and copy the DCTL files into the directory that opened. The PixelTools Hue/Shift™ DCTL Plug-In is a color-grading
Restart Resolve: You must restart DaVinci Resolve for the software to recognize the new DCTL files.
Apply Effect: In the Effects panel, search for "DCTL," drag it onto a node, and select "Hue/Shift" from the DCTL list in the Inspector.
The full version is available for purchase at PixelTools, and a free demo version with watermarking can be found on their Demo Versions page. MAKE YOUR FOOTAGE MORE CINEMATIC with this plugin!
While specific features can vary, a plugin like PixelTools hueShift DCTL is likely to offer: Key Features and Potential Uses While specific features
The potential uses of such a plugin are vast. For colorists, filmmakers, and editors, it can serve as a valuable tool in achieving a desired aesthetic. For example, it can help in:
You are editing a commercial where the product was shot under two different lights—one appears cyan, one blue. Use hueShift on the cyan shot to rotate the precise cyan hue (180°) to match the blue hue (240°) of the hero shot.
DCTL (DaVinci CTL) plugins are a type of third-party plugin used within Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve, a popular software for color correction, audio post-production, and video editing. These plugins can add a wide range of functionalities to Resolve, from simple LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to complex processing tools.
Why use this DCTL instead of the built-in "Hue vs Hue" curve? Let’s break down the advantages:
| Feature | Native Resolve Hue vs Hue | PixelTools hueShift DCTL | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Transition Smoothness | Prone to stepping/banding in gradients | Mathematically smooth (S-curve falloff) | | Precision | Mouse-driven curve points (imprecise) | Numeric slider input (exact degrees) | | Luminance Independence | Hue shifts often affect Luma | Luma Mix slider keeps brightness intact | | Render Speed | Fast | Just as fast (GPU-native) | | Memory Color Safety | Hard to isolate skin without spill | Tighter range control protects skin tones |
The Verdict: For micro-adjustments (e.g., shifting a teal car to a blue car), the DCTL is superior. For broad stylistic looks, the native curve is fine.
The information, illustrations and code contained in my "Microsoft Word Tips" are provided free and without risk or obligation.
However, the work is mine. If you use it for commercial purposes or benefit from my efforts through income earned or time saved then a donation, however small, will help to ensure the continued availability of this resource.
If you would like to donate, please use the appropriate donate button to access PayPal. Thank you!
This page was last updated on
March 27, 2021
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