How to Use LUTs in Final Cut Pro (Step-by-Step)

Final Cut Pro supports .cube LUT files natively through the Custom LUT effect. The workflow is clean and fast — and if you're shooting log footage on a Sony, Canon, or Blackmagic camera, LUTs are the quickest way to get a polished color grade out of FCP.

The Custom LUT Effect

Final Cut Pro applies LUTs through a dedicated video effect called Custom LUT, found in the Effects browser. Unlike DaVinci Resolve's node-based approach, FCP applies LUTs as a single effect — straightforward, but worth understanding how to layer it correctly.

Importing a LUT into Final Cut Pro

There are two places you can store LUTs for FCP:

Option 1 — In the Effects browser (persistent):

1. Open Finder → navigate to /Users/[username]/Movies/Motion Templates/Effects/
2. Create a subfolder if you like (e.g. My LUTs)
3. Drop your .cube files in there
4. In Final Cut Pro, open the Effects browser → search "Custom LUT" — your LUTs will be listed here (you'll still apply the effect and choose the file, but they're easy to find)

Option 2 — Browse on demand:

You don't need to pre-import — the Custom LUT effect lets you browse to any .cube file on your machine each time you apply it.

Applying a LUT to a Clip

1. Open the Effects browser (Command + 5)
2. Search for "Custom LUT"
3. Drag the Custom LUT effect onto your clip in the timeline
4. In the Inspector panel (on the right), find the Custom LUT effect
5. Click Choose Custom LUT... → navigate to your .cube file → Open
6. The LUT is now applied to that clip

To adjust the intensity, use the Mix slider in the Inspector — 100% is full strength, lower values blend the LUT with the original image.

Applying a LUT to Multiple Clips (Adjustment Layer Workaround)

Final Cut Pro doesn't have native adjustment layers, but you can replicate the workflow:

1. Create a new Generator → Custom → drag it above your clips on the timeline
2. Apply the Custom LUT effect to the generator clip
3. Set the generator's Blend Mode to Normal at 0% opacity — the LUT will still process the clips below

Alternatively, apply the Custom LUT to a Compound Clip: select all the clips you want to grade → File → New Compound Clip → apply the LUT to the compound clip.

Correct Order for Log Footage

If you're shooting in a log color profile (Sony S-Log2/3, Canon Log, BRAW), you need two LUT passes:

In the FCP Inspector, effects are applied bottom-up, so place the conversion LUT effect below the creative one.

Using Apple Log with LUTs (M-series cameras)

If you're shooting Apple Log on an iPhone 15 Pro or later, or a Vision Pro, FCP handles the color space conversion automatically when you enable HDR or Apple Log in your project settings. You can then apply a creative .cube LUT on top without needing a separate conversion LUT.

Limitations Compared to DaVinci Resolve

Final Cut Pro's LUT workflow is simpler but less flexible:

• No node graph — can't chain multiple LUT passes as cleanly as Resolve
• No LUT export — FCP can't export a .cube file from your grade
• No LUT preview browser — you have to apply the effect before previewing

For a more advanced color grading workflow, most FCP users round-trip to DaVinci Resolve for grading, then back to FCP for editing.

Creating a LUT for Final Cut Pro

Since FCP doesn't export LUT files, if you want to save your grade as a reusable .cube file — to use on other projects or share with your team — your best option is to build it in Luttie's free LUT editor. Adjust your curves, HSL, and color wheels, then export a .cube file ready to import via the Custom LUT effect.

Summary

• Apply LUTs in Final Cut Pro via the Custom LUT effect in the Effects browser
• Browse to any .cube file on demand, or store LUTs in ~/Movies/Motion Templates/Effects/
• Use two Custom LUT effects in sequence for log footage: conversion first, creative second
• FCP applies effects bottom-up, so order them accordingly in the Inspector
• Create custom .cube LUTs for free with Luttie