How to Import LUT Files into Adobe Lightroom from Photoshop: A Beginner's Guide

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How to Import LUT Files into Adobe Lightroom from Photoshop: A Beginner’s Guide

August 18, 2024

If you’re bored with traditional presets or want to explore other options to enhance the look of your photos, using LUTs (Look-Up Tables) can significantly strengthen the tone of your images. I have tried many brands like RNI, VSCO and The Classical Presets and I still want to explore more possibilities. The first time I heard about colour grading was when I used it on my YouTube videos in Final Cut Pro, and it wasn’t easy to maintain consistency. It required quite a bit of time and effort to learn. LUTs offer a unique approach to colour grading that differs from the typical adjustment workflows in Photoshop or Lightroom. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to import LUT files into Adobe Camera Raw, a powerful tool within Photoshop. I’ll also clarify how LUTs differ from Lightroom presets and discuss the advantages of using LUTs.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Importing LUT Files into Adobe Camera Raw

Open Photoshop: Launch Adobe Photoshop on your computer.
Load an Image: Open any raw image file to access Adobe Camera Raw. You can do this by selecting File > Open and choosing your desired Raw image. In this case I chose my Leica M10-P DNG file.
Access the Presets Panel: Once your image is open in Camera Raw, locate the Presets panel on the right-hand side.
Create a New Preset:
1. Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and simultaneously click the New Preset icon (resembles a paper sheet) located at the top of the Presets panel.
2. A dialog box will appear titled “Create Profile”.
Configure Your Preset:
1. Name Your Preset: Enter a meaningful name for your preset in the provided field.
2. Uncheck “Look Table”: Ensure that this option is unchecked to avoid overriding the LUT’s colour profile.
3. Check “Color Lookup Table”: Ensure this box is checked to enable the use of a LUT.
Load Your LUT File: Navigate to the location on your computer where your .CUBE files are stored, select the desired LUT file, and click Load.
Save Your Preset:
1. After loading the LUT, click OK to save the new preset.
Apply the LUT: Your new saved preset with the LUT is now available in the Camera Profile in your Lightroom Classic or the Color Lookup Adjustment Panel inside Adobe Photoshop

This method integrates your LUT into Camera Raw, where it can be applied to any photo just like any other preset.

Step 3: Access the Preset Panel

Step 4: Create a New Preset

Step 5: Configure your Preset

Step 6: Select and Load your LUT file (one only)

Step 8: Open your RAW file

Applying LUT inside Adobe Photoshop

Applying LUT inside Adobe Lightroom Classic under Camera Profile

Lightroom Presets vs LUT Files

Understanding the difference between Lightroom presets and LUT files can help you better utilise these tools:

Presets: These are XMP documents that have the ability to adjust photo contrast, exposures and curves when you apply it, specific to Lightroom and involve adjustments made using the internal Lightroom sliders. Usually It is located on the left hand side of your panel.
LUTs: Basically they are Camera Profiles. LUTs are universal files that map specific colour inputs to desired outputs. They aren’t limited to a single software and can be used across different applications, including video editing programs. Usually it is commonly used by video editors and filmmakers.

What Is a LUT File and the .CUBE Format?

A LUT (Look-Up Table) is essentially a predefined colour grading map that can be applied to photos or videos. The .CUBE format is one of the most popular file types for LUTs, widely recognized for its compatibility across various photo and video editing software. It’s particularly favoured for achieving cinematic colour grades and handling log footage, which is a type of video footage that maximises dynamic range.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using LUTs

Advantages:
- Versatility: LUTs can be used in a variety of editing programs, not just Photoshop.
- Uniformity: They ensure consistent colour grading across different projects and media.
Disadvantages:
- Steep Learning Curve: For beginners, more steps to import into Lightroom or Photoshop. And requires software to do colour grading.
- Less Flexibility: Unlike presets that allow for easy adjustment of individual parameters, LUTs apply a comprehensive colour grade that can’t be tweaked in parts without additional software. Example, you cannot tweak the individual curve or the camera profile in the LUT file. You can only post edit the photo after applying the profile.

How Do LUTs Enhance Colour Editing?

LUTs simplify the colour grading process by applying complex colour transformations with just a few clicks. They are particularly useful for maintaining a consistent aesthetic across a series of images or achieving specific stylistic looks, such as cinematic tones, that are hard to replicate manually.

My personal tip is to change the amount when you apply to an image to see how much you would like to apply on it.

By integrating LUTs into your Adobe Camera Raw workflow, other than presets you’ll now be able to use colour profiles. Whether you’re looking to streamline your photo editing process or explore new creative possibilities, LUTs can be a valuable addition to your digital toolkit. Give them a try and see the difference in your photographic work! A side note is that this only applies to Lightroom Classic only.

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