Re: Download Livegrade
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How to Download Livegrade: The Ultimate Guide for Video Grading on Set
If you are looking for a software that can help you achieve high-quality images on set, react quickly to changes in production settings, and provide consistent looks for dailies and post-production, then you need Livegrade. Livegrade is a powerful tool that allows you to control the live image of your cameras, apply creative looks, and record media and metadata. In this article, we will show you how to download Livegrade, either for free trial or purchase, and how to set up and use it for your workflow.
What is Livegrade and Why You Need It
Livegrade is a software developed by Pomfort, a company that specializes in creating professional software for digital workflows on film sets. Livegrade comes in two versions: Livegrade Pro and Livegrade Studio. Both versions offer unrivaled technical control for creative immediacy on set, but they differ in some features and capabilities.
Livegrade Pro: The Most Trusted Software for Digital Imaging on Set
Livegrade Pro is the most trusted software in the market that addresses all digital-imaging-related requirements of the camera department. It helps you to:
- Achieve desired high-quality images out of every scene by giving the DP immediacy to image control and by removing all barriers to artistic image experimentation.
- React quickly to the DP's changes to the stage floor by visualizing and adjusting to the iterations of production settings, camera systems, and lighting conditions.
- Have your looks ready right during the shooting and make them instantly available for the automated dailies creation process - save time and provide better image results to the entire team.
- Let the team make more informed creative decisions by evaluating the scenes in a richer context with responsive real-time looks and instant access to reference material.
Livegrade Pro supports a wide range of hardware devices, such as LUT boxes, cameras, monitors, video I/O devices, control surfaces, and more. It also offers flexible color management options, such as CDL-and-LUT workflows, ACES-based pipelines, or custom color spaces. You can also use multiple grading slots to independently grade multiple cameras or sources.
Livegrade Studio: The Advanced Solution for Multi-Camera Live Grading
Livegrade Studio is the advanced version of Livegrade Pro that offers additional features and capabilities for complex multi-camera setups. It helps you to:
- Manage complex live setups with multiple HD-SDI signals per camera by using powerful video routing capabilities.
- Control up to four cameras or sources per grading slot with individual color adjustments.
- Use advanced grading controls such as shapes, qualifiers, blending modes, groups, or keyframes.
- Apply live image transformations such as cropping, scaling, positioning, or rotation.
- Integrate with AJA's ColorBox device for tactile color adjustments.
How to Download Livegrade for Free Trial or Purchase
If you are interested in trying out Livegrade or buying a license, you can easily download the software from Pomfort's website. Pomfort offers a 14-day free trial for both Livegrade Pro and Livegrade Studio, as well as different license options to suit your needs and budget.
Download Livegrade Pro or Studio from Pomfort Website
To download Livegrade, you need to visit Pomfort's website and choose the version you want: Livegrade Pro or Livegrade Studio. You can find the download links on the product pages or in the download section of the website. You can also compare the features and prices of both versions on the website.
Once you click on the download link, you will be asked to enter your email address and agree to the terms and conditions. Then, you will receive an email with a link to download the software installer. The installer is compatible with macOS 10.14 or higher. You can run the installer and follow the instructions to install Livegrade on your computer.
Choose Your License Option and Activate Your Software
After installing Livegrade, you can launch the software and activate it with a license. You can choose from different license options depending on your needs and budget. Pomfort offers:
- A 14-day free trial that gives you full access to all features of Livegrade Pro or Studio. You can request a trial license on Pomfort's website or within the software.
- A monthly subscription that allows you to use Livegrade Pro or Studio for as long as you need it. You can cancel your subscription at any time. You can purchase a subscription on Pomfort's website or within the software.
- A yearly subscription that gives you a discounted price for using Livegrade Pro or Studio for 12 months. You can renew your subscription after one year or cancel it before it expires. You can purchase a yearly subscription on Pomfort's website or within the software.
- A perpetual license that lets you use Livegrade Pro or Studio forever with one-time payment. You can also get free updates for one year and optional maintenance plans for future updates. You can purchase a perpetual license on Pomfort's website.
To activate your software, you need to enter your license key or sign in with your Pomfort account. You can manage your licenses and subscriptions on Pomfort's website or within the software.
How to Set Up Livegrade for Your Workflow
Once you have downloaded and activated Livegrade, you can start using it for your workflow. Livegrade is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different scenarios and setups. You can customize Livegrade to fit your needs and preferences. Here are some of the steps you need to take to set up Livegrade for your workflow.
Connect Your Hardware Devices and Configure Your Video Settings
The first step is to connect your hardware devices and configure your video settings. Livegrade supports a wide range of devices, such as LUT boxes, cameras, monitors, video I/O devices, control surfaces, and more. You can connect your devices via SDI, HDMI, Ethernet, USB, or Wi-Fi. You can also use multiple devices simultaneously for different purposes.
To configure your video settings, you need to open the Preferences window and go to the Video tab. Here you can choose your video input and output devices, set the video format and frame rate, enable or disable audio and timecode, and adjust the video delay and sync. You can also create custom presets for different video settings and switch between them easily.
Choose Your Grading Mode and Color Management System
The next step is to choose your grading mode and color management system. Livegrade offers different grading modes that allow you to apply color adjustments in different ways. You can choose from:
- CDL mode: This mode allows you to use the ASC CDL (American Society of Cinematographers Color Decision List) parameters to adjust the slope, offset, power, and saturation of your image. This mode is compatible with most cameras and LUT boxes and provides a simple and standardized way of grading.
- LUT mode: This mode allows you to use 3D LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to transform the color space of your image. This mode is more flexible and powerful than CDL mode and can handle complex color transformations. You can use built-in LUTs, import custom LUTs, or create your own LUTs with Livegrade's LUT editor.
- ACES mode: This mode allows you to use the ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) pipeline to grade your image in a standardized color space. This mode is ideal for working with high dynamic range (HDR) images and ensuring color consistency across different devices and platforms. You can use ACES Input Device Transforms (IDTs), Output Device Transforms (ODTs), Look Modification Transforms (LMTs), or custom ACES transforms.
- Advanced mode: This mode allows you to use advanced grading controls such as shapes, qualifiers, blending modes, groups, or keyframes. This mode is only available in Livegrade Studio and requires an AJA device for output.
To choose your grading mode, you need to open the Grading Mode Selector window and select the mode you want. You can also switch between different modes at any time.
To choose your color management system, you need to open the Preferences window and go to the Color tab. Here you can choose your working color space, display color space, monitor calibration profile, tone mapping curve, gamut mapping method, and white point adaptation. You can also create custom color spaces and profiles with Livegrade's Color Space Editor.
Create and Apply Looks to Your Live Images
The final step is to create and apply looks to your live images. A look is a combination of color adjustments that defines the mood and style of your image. You can create looks in different ways depending on your grading mode. You can use sliders, wheels, curves, or numerical inputs to adjust the color parameters. You can also use presets, templates, or reference images to inspire or match your looks.
To apply looks to your live images, you need to open the Grading View window and select the grading slot you want to use. A grading slot is a container that holds a look and its associated settings. You can use multiple grading slots to independently grade multiple cameras or sources. You can also copy, paste, swap, or compare looks between different grading slots.
How to Use Livegrade for Image Analysis and Quality Control
One of the main benefits of using Livegrade is that it allows you to analyze and monitor your images in real time and ensure their quality and consistency. Livegrade provides various tools and features that help you to:
Use Video Scopes and Exposure Tools to Monitor Your Images
Livegrade offers a range of video scopes and exposure tools that help you to measure and visualize the color and luminance values of your images. You can use these tools to check the exposure, contrast, color balance, saturation, and gamut of your images and make adjustments accordingly. You can also use these tools to match the looks of different cameras or sources.
To use video scopes and exposure tools, you need to open the Scopes View window and select the tools you want to use. You can choose from waveform, vectorscope, histogram, false color, zebra, or clipping indicators. You can also customize the appearance and behavior of each tool with various options and settings.
Capture and Review Reference Material and Frame Grabs
Livegrade allows you to capture and review reference material and frame grabs that help you to compare and evaluate your images. You can use reference material to match your looks to a specific style or mood, such as a film still, a concept art, or a color chart. You can also use frame grabs to capture still images from your live video feed and store them in your shot library.
To capture and review reference material, you need to open the Reference View window and import the images you want to use as reference. You can also drag and drop images from your computer or other applications. You can then view the reference images in a split-screen or overlay mode with your live images and adjust the opacity and position of each image.
To capture and review frame grabs, you need to open the Frame Grab View window and click on the capture button to take a still image from your live video feed. You can also use keyboard shortcuts or external devices to trigger the capture. You can then view the frame grabs in a grid or list mode and compare them with your live images or reference material.
Record and Store Media and Metadata in the Shot Library
Livegrade allows you to record and store media and metadata in the shot library that help you to organize and document your shots. You can record media such as video clips, audio files, or still images from your live video feed or external sources. You can also store metadata such as camera settings, color adjustments, timecode, slate information, notes, or custom fields.
To record and store media and metadata, you need to open the Shot Library window and create a new project. You can then create bins and shots within the project and assign them names, colors, ratings, or labels. You can also import or export media and metadata from other applications or devices.
How to Export Looks and Metadata from Livegrade
The last step of using Livegrade is to export your looks and metadata from the software and share them with other applications or devices. Livegrade supports various formats and protocols for exporting looks and metadata, such as CDL, LUT, AMF, CFE, PDF, CSV, XML, ALE, or ASC-CDL. You can also integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab, Pomfort's software for dailies creation and data management.
Export Looks as CDL, LUT, AMF, or CFE Files
To export your looks as files, you need to select the shots or grading slots that contain the looks you want to export and choose the file format you want to use. You can export your looks as:
- CDL files: These are text files that contain the ASC CDL parameters of your looks. They are compatible with most cameras and LUT boxes and can be easily edited or transferred.
- LUT files: These are binary files that contain the 3D LUTs of your looks. They can handle complex color transformations and offer more flexibility and accuracy than CDL files. However, they may not be compatible with all devices or applications.
- AMF files: These are XML files that contain the ACES metadata of your looks. They are ideal for working with ACES-based pipelines and ensuring color consistency across different platforms.
- CFE files: These are XML files that contain the custom format expressions of your looks. They are used to export advanced grading controls such as shapes, qualifiers, blending modes, groups, or keyframes. They are only compatible with Livegrade Studio and AJA devices.
To export your looks as files, you need to go to the File menu and choose Export Looks. You can then choose the file format, the destination folder, the file name, and the options for each format. You can also use keyboard shortcuts or external devices to trigger the export.
Export Metadata as PDF, CSV, XML, or ALE Files
To export your metadata as files, you need to select the shots that contain the metadata you want to export and choose the file format you want to use. You can export your metadata as:
- PDF files: These are document files that contain a printable report of your metadata. They are useful for creating shot logs, reports, or summaries of your shots.
- CSV files: These are spreadsheet files that contain a comma-separated list of your metadata. They are useful for importing or exporting data to other applications or databases.
- XML files: These are markup files that contain a structured representation of your metadata. They are useful for transferring data between different platforms or applications that support XML.
- ALE files: These are text files that contain a tab-delimited list of your metadata. They are useful for exchanging data with editing applications such as Avid Media Composer.
To export your metadata as files, you need to go to the File menu and choose Export Metadata. You can then choose the file format, the destination folder, the file name, and the options for each format. You can also use keyboard shortcuts or external devices to trigger the export.
Integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab for Dailies Creation
If you want to create dailies from your live-graded images and metadata, you can integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab, Pomfort's software for dailies creation and data management. Silverstack Lab allows you to:
- Import media and metadata from Livegrade via Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Apply looks and color adjustments from Livegrade to your media clips.
- Create transcoded clips in various formats and resolutions for editorial or review purposes.
- Sync audio and video clips from different sources.
- Add burn-ins, watermarks, or timecode overlays to your clips.
- Create reports, playlists, or deliverables from your clips and metadata.
To integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab, you need to install both software on the same computer or on different computers connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. You also need to activate both software with a license. You can then configure the settings for each software and establish a connection between them. You can find more details on how to integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab on Pomfort's website or in the user manuals of both software.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have shown you how to download Livegrade, either for free trial or purchase, and how to set up and use it for your workflow. We have also shown you how to export looks and metadata from Livegrade and how to integrate it with Silverstack Lab for dailies creation. We hope that this article has helped you to understand the benefits and features of Livegrade and how to use it for your video grading on set. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or visit Pomfort's website for more information and resources.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Livegrade:
Q: What are the system requirements for Livegrade?
A: Livegrade requires a Mac computer running macOS 10.14 or higher, with at least 8 GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card. You also need an internet connection for downloading, activating, and updating the software. For more details on the system requirements, please visit Pomfort's website.
Q: How can I get support or training for Livegrade?
A: Pomfort offers various support and training options for Livegrade users, such as:
- A user manual that covers all the features and functions of the software.
- A knowledge base that provides answers to common questions and issues.
- A support team that can be contacted via email or phone.
- A blog that shares tips, tricks, and best practices for using the software.
- A newsletter that informs you about the latest news and updates on the software.
- A webinar series that demonstrates how to use the software in different scenarios and workflows.
- A YouTube channel that showcases tutorials, testimonials, and case studies on the software.
Q: How can I update or upgrade my Livegrade license?
A: Pomfort offers free updates for Livegrade users within the same major version of the software. For example, if you have a license for Livegrade Pro 5, you can get free updates for Livegrade Pro 5.x. However, if you want to upgrade to a newer major version of the software, such as Livegrade Pro 6, you need to purchase an upgrade license. You can check for updates or upgrades within the software or on Pomfort's website.
Q: How can I share my looks and metadata with other applications or devices?
A: Livegrade supports various formats and protocols for sharing your looks and metadata with other applications or devices, such as CDL, LUT, AMF, CFE, PDF, CSV, XML, ALE, or ASC-CDL. You can also integrate Livegrade with Silverstack Lab, Pomfort's software for dailies creation and data management. You can export your looks and metadata as files or send them via Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
Q: How can I backup or restore my Livegrade projects?
A: Livegrade allows you to backup or restore your projects in case of data loss or corruption. You can backup your projects manually or automatically to a local or external drive. You can also restore your projects from a backup file or folder. You can find the backup and restore options in the File menu of the software.
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