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OCIOCDLTransform

ASC CDL color decision transform

Applies ASC CDL-style slope, offset, power and saturation corrections through OpenColorIO, either from controls or a CDL file.

OCIOCDLTransform
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion

OCIOCDLTransform is designed for portable primary color decisions that need to move consistently between editorial, VFX, grading and OCIO-aware applications.

Overview

What OCIOCDLTransform does

OCIOCDLTransform is designed for portable primary color decisions that need to move consistently between editorial, VFX, grading and OCIO-aware applications.

Mental model

CDL is a compact, standardized primary grade: scale channels with slope, shift them with offset, reshape them with power, then adjust saturation.

Common uses

Apply an on-set or editorial CDL
Reproduce a shot-level primary grade in VFX
Read corrections from a CDL file
Exchange simple grades between departments

Flow anatomy

Inputs & outputs

The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.

Image

Image to receive the CDL correction.

Effect Mask

Optional mask that limits where the node affects the image.

OCIOCDLTransform
Fusion node

Output

The processed result from this node.

Inspector

Important parameters

Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.

Operation

Chooses between file-driven and manual control modes.

Use File when reproducing an external CDL; use Controls for direct slope/offset/power/saturation editing.

Operation: File

Uses the File operation.

Operation: Controls

Uses the Controls operation.

Direction

Applies the CDL forward or reverse.

Reverse is useful when removing a previously applied CDL in a controlled pipeline.

Direction: Forward

Runs the operation in the forward direction.

Direction: Reverse

Runs the operation in the reverse direction.

CDL File

Loads a CDL/CCC-style file.

Keep file versions tied to the shot or editorial decision they represent.

Browse

Opens a file browser for the related path or resource.

Export CDL File

Writes the current control values to a CDL file where supported.

Useful for handing the same primary decision to another department or application.

Keyframe diamonds

Provides keyframe controls for animating the related parameter.

Practical setup

A reliable workflow

  1. 1

    Decide whether the shot grade comes from a file or manual CDL values.

  2. 2

    Set the transform direction.

  3. 3

    Apply the correction in the correct working color space.

  4. 4

    Compare against the reference grade.

  5. 5

    Export or preserve the CDL values with the shot metadata when handing off.

Typical node chain
Input
OCIOCDLTransform
Output

Examples

Where this node fits in real work

VFX shot match

Reapply the editorial CDL before comparing the comp to the offline reference.

PlateOCIOCDLTransformFusion Composite

Remove a CDL

Run the same correction in reverse before scene-linear VFX processing.

Graded PlateOCIOCDLTransform ReverseVFX Working Space

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes

Treating CDL as a full secondary grade
Applying the same CDL twice
Using slope/offset/power in an unintended color space

Production notes

Practical tips

Keep CDL transforms near clearly labeled color-space boundaries.
When matching editorial, verify both CDL values and the viewing transform; either can cause a mismatch.

Related nodes