PowerGrade vs LUT: what's the difference, and which to pick?
A LUT and a PowerGrade both give you a look. The difference is what you can adjust afterwards.
| LUT (.cube) | PowerGrade (.drx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Any (Resolve, Premiere, Final Cut, CapCut…) | DaVinci Resolve only |
| What you get | A fixed color table | The full, adjustable node tree |
| Adapting to a shot | Strength only | Every node: exposure, skin, look, grain… |
| Best for | Speed, editing in several apps | Learning and controlling your grade |
When to choose a LUT
You edit in Premiere, Final Cut or CapCut, or you want a consistent look in one click across many shots. The steps: CapCut, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve.
When to choose a PowerGrade
You work in DaVinci Resolve and want to understand what's going on: a PowerGrade opens up, every setting is named, and you adapt the look to each shot instead of crushing it.
The Creator PowerGrade: 6 looks as a node tree, with the tutorial.See the PowerGrade
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Cinematic Pack: 6 cinematic LUTs + 50 sound effects6 cinematic .cube LUTs for DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and CapCut…Creator PowerGrade: 6 cinematic looks for DaVinci Resolve6 .drx PowerGrades for DaVinci Resolve, delivered as a named node tree (CST, exposure…How to add a LUT in CapCut (desktop and phone)Import a .cube LUT into CapCut on desktop, apply it to your clip, set the intensity. And…How to add a LUT in Premiere Pro (Lumetri Color)Where to put a .cube LUT in Premiere Pro: Creative › Look for style, Input LUT to convert…