MatchLight IMS is an innovative software application designed for Windows and Mac operating systems. This comprehensive user guide aims to provide detailed instructions and insights into the functionality and features of MatchLight IMS.
By utilizing image pairs, MatchLight IMS automatically generates Look-Up Tables (LUTs) for a wide range of applications, including LUT generation and ACES-IDT creation for various cameras.
With its intuitive interface and versatile controls, MatchLight IMS offers precise image processing capabilities, allowing users to enhance their creative projects with ease and innovation.
Key Takeaways
- MatchLight IMS is a self-installing, standalone application for Windows and Mac.
- It allows automatic generation of LUTs from one or more image pairs.
- The application can be used for simple LUT generation or creating LUTs and ACES-IDTs for different cameras.
- MatchLight IMS supports various image formats such as DPX, Cineon, TIFF, GIF, TGA, JPG, and EXR.
Overview
MatchLight IMS is a self-installing, standalone application for Windows and Mac that allows for the automatic generation of LUTs from image pairs. It offers a wide range of applications, from simple LUT generation to creating LUTs and ACES-IDTs for different cameras.
The software provides a user-friendly interface and supports various image formats such as DPX, Cineon, TIFF 8 or 16 bit, GIF, TGA, JPG, and EXR. Both images must have the same resolution and be closely aligned for accurate results.
MatchLight IMS provides controls for navigating through image sequences, zooming in and out, and panning. It also allows users to specify the size of the square used for averaging image values and define the percentage of the edge to ignore during extraction.
Additional options, such as the Reject option and Freeform-Clip and Freeform-Uniform modes, enhance the LUT extraction process.
The software supports exporting LUTs in .mlc format, which can be loaded into LightSpace CMS for conversion to any LUT format.
Basic Functionality
The basic functionality of the application involves opening two images, processing them, and saving the generated LUTs, which can then be exported in .mlc format and converted to any LUT format using LightSpace CMS.
Users can browse and select the images they want to edit, and then navigate through the image sequence using arrow keys. The application allows zooming in and out of the images and panning by holding down the left mouse button and moving the mouse. Raw and processed values can be displayed by clicking the left mouse button.
The Pixel Box control determines the size of the square used for averaging image values, and the Border H V controls define the percentage of the edge to ignore during extraction. Additional options include the Reject option for a second pass during LUT extraction, and the Freeform-Clip and Freeform-Uniform options for generating different types of matrices for the cube.
MatchLight IMS supports various image formats and requires images to have the same resolution and be closely aligned.
Controls
Controls in MatchLight IMS include:
- Left and right arrow keys for image sequence navigation
- Up and down arrow keys for zooming
- Panning using the left mouse button
These controls allow users to easily navigate through the images and adjust the zoom level to view specific details.
Additionally, the left mouse button can be used to:
- Display raw and processed values of the pixels
The application also provides cube application buttons to:
- Switch between different image sources
These controls enhance the user experience by providing convenient and intuitive ways to interact with the images and extract valuable information for further analysis and processing.
Pixel Box Control
The Pixel Box control in MatchLight IMS allows users to determine the size of the square used for averaging image values, which can impact the saturation of the generated LUT. A larger Pixel Box can result in a more desaturated LUT. In addition to the Pixel Box control, there are other parameters that can be adjusted to fine-tune the LUT extraction process. The Border H V controls define the percentage of the edge to ignore during extraction, while the Trim control sets the minimum distance between extracted points. It is important to find the right balance when adjusting these parameters to ensure accurate and visually pleasing results. The following table highlights the impact of different Pixel Box sizes on the saturation of the LUT:
| Pixel Box Size | Saturation |
|---|---|
| Small | High |
| Medium | Moderate |
| Large | Low |
By experimenting with different Pixel Box sizes, users can achieve the desired level of saturation in their LUTs.
Additional Options
Additional options in MatchLight IMS include:
- The ability to perform a second pass during LUT extraction with adjustable rejection levels.
- The option to retain hard clips in the cube with Freeform-Clip.
- The use of regression to generate a matrix and fill the cube with Freeform-Uniform.
The Reject option allows users to improve the accuracy of the LUT extraction process by rejecting points that do not meet certain criteria. However, it is important to find the right balance as rejecting too many points can lead to poor results.
The Freeform-Clip option ensures that hard clips are retained in the cube, preserving the original image’s contrast. On the other hand, the Freeform-Uniform option uses regression to generate a matrix and fill the cube, providing a more uniform and balanced result.
These additional options in MatchLight IMS enable users to customize and enhance the LUT creation process, resulting in more accurate and innovative outcomes.
Image Formats
Image formats supported by MatchLight include:
- DPX: Enables seamless integration into film industry workflows.
- Cineon: Supports industry-standard film scanning and grading.
- TIFF 8 or 16 bit: Ensures high-quality image processing.
- GIF: Provides flexibility for web-based applications.
- TGA: Allows for versatile image handling.
- JPG: Facilitates efficient file sharing.
- EXR: Enables working with high dynamic range images.
These formats offer compatibility with a wide range of image types, allowing users to work with various file types and ensure accurate color representation. The support for DPX and Cineon formats enables professionals in the film industry to seamlessly integrate MatchLight into their workflow. The inclusion of TIFF in both 8 and 16-bit depths ensures high-quality image processing, while GIF and TGA formats provide flexibility for web-based applications. Additionally, MatchLight supports the widely-used JPG format for efficient file sharing and EXR format for working with high dynamic range images.
This extensive list of supported image formats allows users to leverage the full potential of MatchLight IMS in their innovative projects.
Source and Credits
LightSpace CMS can be used to convert the .mlc files generated by MatchLight IMS into any LUT format, providing users with flexibility in their color grading workflow. With LightSpace CMS, users can easily convert the .mlc files to their desired LUT format, allowing for seamless integration into their existing color grading pipeline. This capability enhances the versatility of MatchLight IMS and enables users to work with a wide range of LUT formats, catering to their specific requirements. By utilizing LightSpace CMS, users can take full advantage of the LUT generation capabilities of MatchLight IMS while also having the freedom to choose their preferred LUT format for their color grading needs.
| LightSpace CMS Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Convert .mlc files to LUTs | Flexibility in color grading workflow |
| Seamless integration | Easy integration into existing pipelines |
| Wide range of LUT formats | Versatility in choosing the desired LUT format |
This integration between MatchLight IMS and LightSpace CMS empowers users to optimize their color grading process and achieve innovative and precise results in their projects.
Can I Use the Same Matchlight Ims User Manual for Madvr Instruction Manual?
No, you cannot use the same Matchlight IMS user manual for MADVR instruction manual. The MADVR installation guide info is specific to the setup and configuration of the MADVR software and would not be applicable to the Matchlight IMS user manual.
The Pixel Box in MatchLight IMS determines the size of the square used for averaging image values, with larger Pixel Boxes potentially resulting in desaturated LUTs. The Pixel Box size can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of color accuracy and detail in the generated LUTs.
It is important to consider the trade-off between larger Pixel Boxes that provide a more generalized representation of the image and smaller Pixel Boxes that capture finer details but may result in a more saturated LUT.
Additionally, the Border H V controls define the percentage of the edge to ignore during extraction, allowing for more precise LUT generation. The Trim control sets the minimum distance between extracted points, ensuring that only significant data is considered.
By carefully adjusting these parameters, users can achieve optimal results and create LUTs that accurately reflect the desired color grading for their images.