A Color Management System (CMS) must guarantee consistency of color in a digital image file whether viewed via film projection or digitally on a video monitor or DLP projection. With the ARRICUBE, ARRI has enhanced the existing ARRI CMS in functionality and accuracy of results for the digital intermediate pipeline. Using a new measurement together with new algorithms for generating 3D LUTs, ARRI obtains superior matches between print film projection and digital display.

The quality of 3D Lookup Tables (LUTs) mainly depends on the quality of the measurements. While on the digital side, standard instruments can be used for measuring colors, on the film side it is a trickier matter. To solve this, the ARRI R&D department invented a new machine: The CHARACTERIZER. Utilizing the basic body of an ARRISCAN, the CHARACTERIZER uses a monochromator instead of the camera to measure the colors of print film. The results are highly reproducible and easy to obtain. Using this new method for print film measurement together with new algorithms for generating  3D LUTs, ARRI obtains superior matches between print film projection and digital projection. This new method is used in all three pillars of the ARRICUBE:

• ARRICUBE Universal Preview LUTs: For our Partner Companies
• ARRICUBE for Video look: Image Processing in ARRILASER Software
• ARRICUBE Customization: Print Film and Monitor/Digital Projector Measurement

ARRICUBE Universal Preview LUTs: When working with logarithmic files, a 3D LUT is needed in the grading session to visualize images correctly. A Universal ARRICUBE Preview LUT is available for all of our partners on the ARRI website. The Universal LUTs convert the digitally displayed image to a look that closely resembles that of the film projected images. These images are based on average measurements and are not specific for certain print or negative film and monitor setups. ARRICUBE partners are Assimilate, Autodesk, Barco, Chrome, da vinci, DVS, Iridas, Nucoda and Quantel. More than 300 companies worldwide have downloaded the Universal LUTs from the ARRI website.

ARRICUBE for Video Look: When postproduction is done in a video environment, the used file format will be linear. For recording linear files, colors must be converted into density values before recording. This can be done on the fly with ARRILASER software. A new image processing node allows you to directly apply a 3D LUT to the outgoing data. For different display and film stock combinations, a new set of 3D LUTs will be delivered with the next ARRILASER software upgrade. This also opens the path to ARRICUBE customization in the ARRILASER. More than 40 companies worldwide have the ARRICUBE for Video Look installed on their ARRILASERs.

ARRICUBE Customization: To get the perfect match a company-specific 3D LUT can be compiled with the ARRICUBE Customization process. Measurements from the display device and from the film will be used to build a unique 3D LUT, which reflects all parameters in each company’s process from monitor setup to film laboratory process. This unique LUT can now be used both as Preview LUT and Video Look LUT in the ARRILASER.

The customized 3D LUTs have been successfully used for the grading process of major feature films like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Perfume: Story of a Murderer and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.