[ PRACTICAL GUIDE / COLOR WORKFLOW ]
LUT or PowerGrade for AI video: which should you use?
[ THE SHORT ANSWER ]
Choose a LUT when you need a compact creative color transform in an editor that supports the file. Choose an editable PowerGrade when you work in DaVinci Resolve and want to inspect and adapt the supplied node structure. Neither choice removes the need to balance your shots.
Before you begin
The useful question is not which format is more professional. It is where you want control, and who needs to open the project after you.
Start with the editor and the handoff
A .CUBE LUT is a color lookup table. The host application applies that mapping to image values. Its portability is useful when collaborators use different editors, but the surrounding color management and controls can still produce different results.
A Resolve PowerGrade carries grading settings that can be reused and adjusted inside Resolve. Inspect what the particular preset contains: the format alone does not promise tracking, masks, texture, or any specific effect.
If your next collaborator only needs the finished picture, a rendered master may matter more than sharing either preset. If they must continue grading, an organized editable project and clear source information become essential.
Compare the same shot fairly
Use the same source, timeline settings and starting balance for both versions. Do not compare a LUT on an uncorrected clip with a PowerGrade on an already balanced one. Disable other creative looks while making the comparison.
For a small test, choose one ordinary shot and one difficult shot. Inspect skin, deep shadows and a bright colored object. Then decide which version you can adjust most predictably, rather than which makes the first frame more dramatic.
When the editable version helps
Consider a film whose close-ups need a gentler treatment than its landscapes. An editable structure can make it easier to identify and adjust the relevant part of a supplied look, provided you understand that node's purpose. Save a copy before changing the original preset and name your adapted version clearly.
If you only want to dial an overall look down inside another editor, a LUT workflow may be simpler. The exact strength controls vary by application and where the LUT is loaded; use the editor's documented workflow instead of assuming every import slot behaves identically.
What the DARKMODE package actually provides
DARKMODE includes 21 .CUBE files: seven looks supplied at three strengths. It also includes seven editable Resolve PowerGrades. The current product page explains the included guides and distinguishes the verified Resolve workflow from documented workflows in other editors.
Pick the format that fits your finishing environment. Keep an ungraded reference export, record which version you used, and test the actual delivery file before treating the look as locked. A repeatable workflow is worth more than collecting formats you will never use.
Sources and further reading
AI-assisted practical guide published by Chris Raw Studio. The linked references support the technical and product information; planning examples are illustrative. No original product test is claimed.