A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a small file that remaps the color and contrast of your footage — either to convert log footage to a standard Rec.709 base, or to apply a creative "look" in one click. Here's exactly how to install and apply one in DaVinci Resolve. It takes about a minute.
Grab a .cube file — the standard 3D LUT format Resolve reads natively. Browse the free LUT packs or the official camera log LUTs in the directory if you need one.
In DaVinci Resolve, open Project Settings (the gear icon, bottom right) → Color Management, then click Open LUT Folder. This opens the exact folder Resolve scans for LUTs, so you don't have to hunt for it manually.
Drop your downloaded .cube files into that folder. You can make subfolders (for example one per camera or per pack) to keep things tidy — Resolve shows them as groups.
Back in Color Management, click Update Lists. If the LUT still doesn't appear, fully restart DaVinci Resolve so it re-scans the folder.
Go to the Color page, right-click a clip's thumbnail or a node, choose LUTs, and pick your LUT. You can also open the LUTs browser in the top-left and drag a LUT straight onto a node. Put the LUT on its own node so you can dial back its strength with the node's Key Output gain.
If you shot in a log profile (S-Log, C-Log, N-Log, V-Log, D-Log, Log-C), apply your camera's official conversion LUT first to get a correct Rec.709 base, then build your creative grade on top. Jump to your camera:
The quickest way is Project Settings → Color Management → Open LUT Folder, which opens the exact folder Resolve scans for LUTs.
Make sure it's a .cube file inside the LUT folder, then click Update Lists in Color Management or restart Resolve so it re-scans the folder.
Yes. 3D .cube LUTs work the same in the free version and in DaVinci Resolve Studio.