Source: 爱上MAC | Software download link: LiveGrade Pro for Mac
LiveGrade Pro is a professional software developed by Pomfort, specifically designed for on-set color grading and look design in film and television pre-production and production. It runs on the macOS system, and its core function is to perform real-time color grading, color management, and the creation and maintenance of high-quality Looks (color styles) on camera signals on set. By connecting cameras with SDI or HDMI output and calibrated monitors, LiveGrade Pro enables colorists and directors of photography (DPs) to instantly preview and apply fine color adjustments, ensuring that the captured image matches the final artistic vision and providing accurate color metadata for post-production.
I. Detailed Explanation of the Software’s Core Interface and Workspace
The interface design of LiveGrade Pro focuses on workflow efficiency and is mainly divided into the following core areas:
- Main Menu Bar and Toolbar: Located at the top of the window, providing menus such as File, Edit, View, Devices, Grading, Window, and Help. The toolbar contains the most commonly used shortcut buttons, such as creating/saving grading projects, connecting devices, and switching to full-screen mode.
- Device and Signal Management Panel (Left Side): This area is used to manage and monitor all connected input/output devices. You can add video sources (such as cameras) and target monitors here, and view real-time signal status, format, color space, and conversion information.
- Central Viewer: This is the core visual area of the software, displaying the real-time image from the currently selected video source in full-screen or resizable mode. Professional auxiliary tools such as zebras, peaking, RGB parade, vectorscope, and histograms can be overlaid around it.
- Color Grading & Look Management Panel (Right Side): This is the core area for color creation.
- Hierarchical Stack: Displays the currently applied grading nodes (such as CDL, LUT, color correction layers) in stacked order, allowing users to adjust the order, enable, or disable them.
- Grading Tools: Provides complete grading parameter controls, including Lift/Gamma/Gain (shadows/midtones/highlights) color wheels and sliders, saturation, contrast, Log conversion controls, and secondary grading tools (such as HSL qualifiers).
- Look Library: Used to store, organize, and recall preset grading styles (Looks). You can create folders, import, export, and quickly search.
- Metadata & Info Panel (Bottom): Displays detailed metadata of the current frame, such as timecode, color space, white balance, ISO, etc. It is also the main operation area for exporting grading metadata (such as CDL, ASC CDL, 3D LUT files).
II. Complete Workflow from Project Creation to Export
1. Launch the Software and Create a New Project
Steps: After launching LiveGrade Pro, the system will usually prompt you to create a new project or open a recent project.
- Click the menu bar
File>New Project, or use the shortcutCommand + N. - In the dialog box that appears, name the project and choose a save location. It is recommended to create a separate project file for each independent shooting project to manage all related color grading data.
2. Configure Video Input and Output Devices
Steps: After connecting the camera (via a capture card) and an external monitor, you need to configure them within the software.
- In the “Devices” panel on the left, click the “+” button and select “Add Video Source”.
- Select your capture card device from the list (e.g., Blackmagic Design DeckLink).
- The software will automatically detect the input signal format. You can also manually adjust the resolution, frame rate, color space, and gamma settings in the video source properties to ensure they match the camera output.
- Similarly, click the “+” button to add a “Target” device and select your external monitor. Set its color space correctly (e.g., Rec.709) and calibration file (if available) to ensure viewing accuracy.
Tip: Make sure that your Mac system’s “Security & Privacy” settings have allowed LiveGrade Pro to access the camera and capture card.
3. Create and Apply Looks
Steps: Once the signal is configured, you can grade the image on the monitor.
- In the “Grade Stack” on the right-side grading panel, click “+” to add a new grading layer (such as “Color Correction”).
- Use the color wheel, sliders, or curve tools to adjust the image. For example, to adjust white balance, use the Temperature and Tint sliders, or use the white balance picker (shortcut
W) to click on a neutral area of the image. - You can add multiple grading layers or LUT layers. For example, first add a “Log Conversion” layer to convert Log footage to Rec.709, then add a “Color Correction” layer for stylistic adjustments.
- Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, click “Save Current Grade as Look” in the “Look Library” panel, name it, and save it to the library. This creates a reusable grading preset.
4. Manage Multiple Scenes and Cameras
Steps: On-set shooting usually involves multiple scenes and cameras.
- In the “Look Library,” you can create folders for different scenes.
- When switching cameras or scenes, simply double-click the corresponding Look in the library to quickly apply it to the current video source.
- LiveGrade Pro supports integration with camera metadata (such as lens, roll number, and clip name). You can create new camera entries in the “Camera List” view and assign specific Looks to them, forming a complete on-set grading sheet.
