A Color Lookup Table (CLUT) is a method of converting a set of input colors to another set of colors. It’s essentially a digital file that converts the color and tone of an image. This technique is commonly found in image processing applications, graphics cards and graphics formats. The CLUT function is used to effectively convert the color properties of an image into an output file.
Think of a CLUT as a small box of hand-picked colors that an artist selects to work with from a larger box of 16.7 million colors. On a computer with 8-bit color, which can only display a total of 256 colors, a CLUT is a necessary reference to tell the computer which 256 colors of the available 16.7 million colors it can use at a time.
CWT (Color Working Table) refers to a software palette or set of 256 colors found in system software and most color-enabled applications. You can select the 256 colors you want to work with and set up a separate palette for each one.
A CLUT allows you to convert tone and color based on the settings chosen by the creator of the CLUT. It assigns each RGB color combination a new value to convert colors and details in a source file to a target state. For example, a modern digital photograph can be converted to an older film stock’s color and tone. Or, a color image can be converted to an aged black-and-white image.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the meaning of CLUT?
The abbreviation CLUT stands for Color Lookup Table, a technique for converting a set of input colors to another set of colors.
What is CWT?
CWT (Color Working Table) refers to a software palette or set of 256 colors found in system software and most color-enabled applications.
How does a CLUT work?
CLUT assigns each RGB color combination a new value to convert colors and details in a source file to a target state. It allows you to change tone and color based on the CLUT creator’s chosen settings.
Conclusion
A Color Lookup Table is a powerful technique for manipulating the color and tone of digital images and graphics. Understanding how it works and how to use it can help you achieve more precise results in your image processing and design work.
