Before we dive into installation, we need to understand the philosophy behind the tool. PixelTools is a renowned developer of color grading utilities, known for bridging the gap between Resolve’s native tools and complex color science. Their tool is not a standard Hue vs. Hue curve.
Unlike standard saturation, which can make colors look "neon" or "electric," HueShift reduces the luminance of colors as they become more saturated, creating a rich, dense, filmic look 1.2.2 .
: Copy the files into your Resolve DCTL folder (typically found in your LUT directory). Color Space : For best results, use it within a large color space like DaVinci Wide Gamut before converting to your final output like Rec.709. : DCTLs require the Studio version of DaVinci Resolve to function without a watermark. using this plugin? pixeltools hueshift dctl pluginzip
: Precisely adjust the hue, saturation, and density for Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Skin tones. Workflow Efficiency : Users on Reddit r/colorists PixelTools site
[Source] → [HueShift - skin] → [SatComp] → [HueShift - background] → [LumaMap] → [Output] Before we dive into installation, we need to
pixeltools_hueshift_dctl_plugin.zip ├── PixelTools_HueShift.dctl ├── PixelTools_HueShift_Advanced.dctl ├── License.txt ├── User_Guide.pdf └── Example_Still.dpx
Here is a breakdown of the tool based on its functionality, user experience, and value. Hue curve
Engineered to avoid the "breaking" or "banding" often seen with standard HSL qualifiers. What’s Inside the ZIP File
You can adjust the hue, saturation, and density of six primary and secondary vectors (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Magenta) plus a dedicated Skin Tone vector.
Standard curves can introduce artifacting, pixelation, or stepping when pushed to extremes. DCTLs calculate adjustments smoothly, minimizing image degradation.
It depends on your workflow.