DCTLs are one of DaVinci Resolve’s most powerful advanced tools for customizing your grading workflow.
DCTL can refer to both the programming language DaVinci Color Transform Language, as well as the plugin-like tool that can be created with it.
For clarity we’ll call the tool a DCTL (or plural DCTLs) and the language as DCTL code.
If you’ve been curious about creating your own tools for DaVinci Resolve, or have some ideas in mind for features that will improve your workflow, this is an excellent place to start.
You’ll learn the basics of DCTL development and create some custom tools in the process.
This playlist from Thatcher Freeman contains 10 videos:
- Intro
- Clamp – Parameters
- Tone Mapping – Functions
- IDTs – Color Space Transforms and ACES
- Output Blanking – Position Parameters
- Lens Distortion – Spatial Operations
- Improved Tone Mapping – Tone Mapping Revisited Structs
- Random Split Toning – Pointers
- Other DCTL Features – Headers, Define, Constant, LUTs
- Ten Debugging Tips and Other Tricks
Click here to view the full playlist.
Click here for the DCTL examples from each lesson on GitHub.
Gedaly is the Founder and Lead Educator of DVResolve.com and is Blackmagic Design Certified Master Trainer. He’s edited commercials for major brands and has done color & VFX for independent films. He consults on post-production workflow and creating online education. Gedaly is the co-founder of Working.Actor, a former marketing manager for large brands, and creates original film projects with his production company Razee.