The Industry Standard for Subtractive Color Science
v3.0
A new era of Cinema Color Science
The SUCOMO™ (Subtractive Color Model) Linny & Cinny LUTs are custom-built, not generated through color grading software, and are developed to achieve an accurate film-like subtractive color model. They serve as both creative and technical Log-to-Linear as well as Log-to-Log converters. When using just the clean Linny LUT, there are no color palette changes beyond the color separation corrections necessary for the sensor and log encoding system. This ensures that you have an open canvas for creative look decisions during the color grading process while giving you all the benefits of working within a subtractive color system like you would with a high-quality Cineon film scan. Cinny, on the other hand, does introduce some changes to the palette and hues, along with a higher density. However, both serve as an excellent starting point for any grade.
Additive vs. Subtractive
ADDITIVE COLOR FORMATION MODEL
Digital cinema cameras are based on an additive color formation model. The additive color model describes how light produces color. The additive colors are red, green, and blue, or RGB. Additive color starts with black and adds red, green, and blue light to produce the visible spectrum of colors. As more color is added, the result is lighter. When all three colors are combined equally, the result is white light. |
SUBTRACTIVE COLOR FORMATION MODEL
The colors formed in camera origination color negative film stocks are based on a subtractive color formation model. In the subtractive color formation model, pigment is used to produce color using reflected light. The subtractive colors are cyan, yellow, magenta, and black, also known as CMYK. Subtractive color begins with white and ends with black; as color is added, the result is darker. |
How was SUCOMO™ created?
Our Subtractive Color Model starts with camera origination negatives and positive show-print analog film stocks.
The film is printed with thousands of optical response data points, then precisely developed and scanned. The resulting response points are quantified through densitometry and colorimetry and plotted using an artificial neural network to detect and mitigate potential artifacts and irregularities. On the digital camera end, the gamut and gamma response for each camera system is determined through spectrometry, where the camera body becomes the sensing element of a spectrophotometer. These two datasets are combined and assembled, resulting in a very fine non-linear subtractive color response with all its intricate transients and luminance roll-off characteristics. Many of the scientific measurement devices and processing algorithms used were developed specifically for the SUCOMO™ project by our in-house team in collaboration with partners from the cinema, defense and aerospace industries.
The film is printed with thousands of optical response data points, then precisely developed and scanned. The resulting response points are quantified through densitometry and colorimetry and plotted using an artificial neural network to detect and mitigate potential artifacts and irregularities. On the digital camera end, the gamut and gamma response for each camera system is determined through spectrometry, where the camera body becomes the sensing element of a spectrophotometer. These two datasets are combined and assembled, resulting in a very fine non-linear subtractive color response with all its intricate transients and luminance roll-off characteristics. Many of the scientific measurement devices and processing algorithms used were developed specifically for the SUCOMO™ project by our in-house team in collaboration with partners from the cinema, defense and aerospace industries.
SUCOMO3 Linny Kit
Linny is a Log-to-Log and Log-to-Linear conversion LUT kit designed as a subtractive color and film-like response alternative to popular digital cinema camera standard log encoding systems. Since its introduction in 2015, Linny has been used on countless award-winning feature films, commercials, and music videos, establishing itself as the industry-leading solution for analog response emulation in LUT form.
Supported Cinema Cameras
|
ARRI
LogC3 & LogC4 |
RED
Log3G10 & REDLogFilm |
Blackmagic
GENERATION 5 Color Science |
Sony
VENICE SLog3 |
LinnyVFX & Pipeline Solutions
Along with support for log recording cameras, Linny is available for linear material in all variants in the form of LinnyVFX, perfectly matching VFX and compositing assets with live-action material already utilizing Linny. This makes LinnyPipeline products a perfectly cohesive end-to-end solution for complex production. In addition, LinnyVFX opens a world of possibilities for photographers allowing them to prepare and process both linear encoded and RAW stills with the SUCOMO3 color science. Since its introduction in 2019, LinnyVFX has become the de facto analog film alternative in the digital realm for many renowned professional photographers.
Linny
Linny is the main Log-to-Log base LUT of the SUCOMO3 subtractive color science model. It was created to provide an analog-like grading base while carrying over most of the original hue data from the camera sensor for maximum flexibility and creative control. Grading with the Linny base LUT is incredibly straightforward and consistent. It is easy to pair Linny with third-party and our own SPK Supplementary Print Kit FPEs.
Linny Base LUT Workflow Example
In the step by step examples below, you can see how easy grading with the base Linny LUT can be, using only the LUT and a curves adjustment.
STEP 1
Base Linny LUT is applied over ARRI LogC3
ARRI LogC3 vs. SUCOMO3 Linny LUT
Base Linny LUT is applied over ARRI LogC3
ARRI LogC3 vs. SUCOMO3 Linny LUT
STEP 2
Creative RGB curve adjustments are added.
SUCOMO3 Linny LUT vs. RGB Curves Adjustment
Creative RGB curve adjustments are added.
SUCOMO3 Linny LUT vs. RGB Curves Adjustment
STEP 3
A simple master S-Curve is used after/above Linny.
SUCOMO3 Linny LUT & RGB Curves Adjustment vs. Master Contrast Curve Adjustment
A simple master S-Curve is used after/above Linny.
SUCOMO3 Linny LUT & RGB Curves Adjustment vs. Master Contrast Curve Adjustment
LinnyC16
LinnyC16 is the basic Log-to-Linear version of Linny LUT, it is included in all Linny kits and comes in 2 intensities, "High" and "Low" indicating contrast ratios. While it is mainly intended for on-set monitoring, dailies, and editing, it can be used in the grading suite for deliveries, with creative corrections added before it while maintaining all the benefits and characteristics of a subtractive color model.
ARRI LogC to Rec709 LUT vs. SUCOMO3 Linny C16 Low LUT
Linny + Print
All Linny kits include versions of the Linny LUT combined with a highly accurate FPE (film print emulation) for an instantaneous cinematic look on digital deliveries while providing ease of use from shot to shot with 5 intensities of Type-B FPE. Intensities B0 through B4. B0 provides the print color palette with no contrast, and B1 to B4 intensities provide an exponential increase of contrast and are useful for maintaining the look between different scenes and lighting conditions. You can also use Linny + Print B2 through B4 to easily trim for different output gammas: B4 for gamma 2.2, B3 for gamma 2.4, B2 for gamma 2.6.
ARRI Alexa LogC vs. SUCOMO3 Linny + Print B4 LUT
Blackmagic GEN5 Log vs. SUCOMO3 Linny + Print B4 LUT
Linny + Print in Various Conditions
* SUCOMO3 Linny+Print B4 LUT applied over the source log image with no creative corrections added.
Linny Kits Include
Each camera specific SUCOMO3 Linny kit includes the main Linny LUT, 5 intensities of Linny LUT pre-mixed with our Type - B FPE (Film Print Emulation), the contrast strength of which is indicated with numbers 0 through 4 after the letter "B" in "Linny + Print B". All of the kits also include linear variants of Linny indicated with "C16" this Linny version is provided in two strengths, "High" and "Low," indicating contrast ratio levels. All mentioned LUTs also come in "HRM", "SST", and "HRM + SST" special variants."HRM" is a highlight retention mode that softly rolls off the highlights. "SST" versions should only be used if necessary in cases of out-of-gamut color, artifacts, unnatural saturation, or hue transients. "HRM + SST" is a combination of the two.
The size of the 3D LUT is 32 x 32 x 32 for the main LUTs, and 33 x 33 x 33 for hardware loadable variants, all are supplied in .CUBE 3D LUT file format. If special camera loadable file formats are available they are also provided, like with .AML files for ARRI cameras.
*If you require other file formats or sizes, you can contact our support team
LinnyVFX and Cinny are standalone products and can only be bought separately or in bundles with camera-specific Linny Kits.
The size of the 3D LUT is 32 x 32 x 32 for the main LUTs, and 33 x 33 x 33 for hardware loadable variants, all are supplied in .CUBE 3D LUT file format. If special camera loadable file formats are available they are also provided, like with .AML files for ARRI cameras.
*If you require other file formats or sizes, you can contact our support team
LinnyVFX and Cinny are standalone products and can only be bought separately or in bundles with camera-specific Linny Kits.
Standard Mode LUTs included in Linny Kits
|
1
Linny Log-to-Log Conversion LUT |
2
Intensities of C16 Log-to-Linear LUTs |
5
Intensities of pre-mixed Type-B FPE LUTs |
Special Mode LUTs included in Linny Kits
|
SST
Smooth Saturation Transient For use with problematic saturation and hue transients. |
HRM
Highlight Retention Mode Introduces analog highlight limiting and rolloff. |
HRM+SST
Highlight Retention + Smooth Saturation Transients Combined variant of HRM and SST modes. |
Cinny
Cinny is a final color oriented, subtractive color science model, Log-to-Log LUT, for use as a Log alternate for your camera system of choice. Designed to approximate a Cineon technical film scan, Cinny is a base LUT for colorists and post-production facilities. Cinny features everything needed in a base LUT, subtractive color modeling, and deep organic film-like colors and densities. Cinny does introduce some major changes to the source color palette and color densities, this is also one of the main difference between Linny and Cinny.
The SUCOMO Cinny Kit includes the main Cinny Log-to-Log LUT in the .CUBE 3D LUT file format in a 64 x 64 x 64 size.
The SUCOMO Cinny Kit includes the main Cinny Log-to-Log LUT in the .CUBE 3D LUT file format in a 64 x 64 x 64 size.
Supported Cinema Cameras
|
ARRI
LogC3 |
RED
REDLogFilm |
BMD
GENERATION 5 Color Science |
ARRI Alexa LogC vs. SUCOMO™ Cinny LUT
Blackmagic Design GEN5 Log vs. SUCOMO™ Cinny LUT
Matching Alexa and Film using Cinny
Shown below is a possible use example. The same scene shot with both the Kodak Vision3 5213 200T stock (left) and the ARRI Alexa XT (right), the look is matched easily using Cinny over the original LogC sample with a simple curves adjustment. Then both samples are treated by another identical linear conversion curve.
Linny / Cinny Workflow & Node or Layer Staging
Linny or Cinny LUTs should always be applied over neutral or close to neutral white balance scenes and creatively adjusted from there. To maintain the SUCOMO3 subtractive color model, the base saturation level when the LUT is applied is at its maximum (within optimal operational limits). You should always trim down the saturation on input for lower saturation looks.
Common Workflows
Linny / Cinny & Custom Linearization
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Base Log-to-Log Linny or Cinny LUT > Creative Color Grading > Custom Linearization Curve > Output
* Emulates a negative to film scan / Cineon DI workflow.
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Base Log-to-Log Linny or Cinny LUT > Creative Color Grading > Custom Linearization Curve > Output
* Emulates a negative to film scan / Cineon DI workflow.
Linny + Print B0-B4
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Creative Color Grading > Linny + Print B0 to B4 LUT > Output
* Emulates a direct from negative optical strike print workflow.
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Creative Color Grading > Linny + Print B0 to B4 LUT > Output
* Emulates a direct from negative optical strike print workflow.
Linny / Cinny & SPK / FPEs
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Base Log-to-Log Linny or Cinny LUT > Creative Color Grading > FPE SPK LUT > Output
* Emulates a negative to interpositive / Cineon DI to film print workflow.
Input Log Material > Basic Color Correction > Base Log-to-Log Linny or Cinny LUT > Creative Color Grading > FPE SPK LUT > Output
* Emulates a negative to interpositive / Cineon DI to film print workflow.
I / O
EXPECTED INPUT
On input SUCOMO3 LUTs expect log specs indicated in the LUT file name for each supported camera system.
On input SUCOMO3 LUTs expect log specs indicated in the LUT file name for each supported camera system.
TARGET OUTPUT
For maximum compatibility and flexibility all SUCOMO3 LUTs are intended for Rec.709 / sRGB Gamut & Gamma 2.2 deliverables and should be trimmed appropriately if other gamma spec deliveries are required. With Linny + Print B2 through B4 LUTs you could easily trim for different gammas with the different contrast intensities: B4 for gamma 2.2, B3 for gamma 2.4, B2 for gamma 2.6 along with minor adjustments if and when they might be necessary. This method of course is not a rule, you can trim manually or miss-match these combinations but it is a feature.
For maximum compatibility and flexibility all SUCOMO3 LUTs are intended for Rec.709 / sRGB Gamut & Gamma 2.2 deliverables and should be trimmed appropriately if other gamma spec deliveries are required. With Linny + Print B2 through B4 LUTs you could easily trim for different gammas with the different contrast intensities: B4 for gamma 2.2, B3 for gamma 2.4, B2 for gamma 2.6 along with minor adjustments if and when they might be necessary. This method of course is not a rule, you can trim manually or miss-match these combinations but it is a feature.
SUCOMO3 LUTs ARE DESIGNED FOR
DITs
An ideal base for quick on-set look creation, or as a standard dailies look. |
DoPs
For cinematographers, owners and operators of supported cameras, for monitoring or grading. |
Colorists
Ideal for speeding up deliveries or as a starting point for achieving your desired look. |
35% OFF ORDERS ABOVE $800
Use Coupon Code : 800PLUS
Use coupon code 800PLUS on checkout to receive a 35% off all orders above $800.
Recommended SUCOMO™ Kits
You can save 40% when buying any of our LUTs as bundles compared to buying them separately. SUCOMO™ LinnyPiepline bundles include a camera-specific Linny kit along with the standard universal LinnyVFX kit. Linny + Cinny bundles Include both camera-specific Linny and Cinny kits for the chosen camera system. If you are buying additional kits like our SPK Kit or any other LUT kit in our store and your cart total is over $800, you can add code 800PLUS on checkout, which will add a further 35% off all items in your cart, on top of any bundle discount you might have already.
Recommended SUCOMO™ Additions
All SUCOMO™ Options
