Create a profile file Lutaro can import
A Lutaro profile is a plain text file. Have camera settings from a YouTube video, a Reddit post, or your own notes? You can turn them into a file Lutaro imports. Write it by hand, or let an AI write it for you. The same format works for both Picture Profiles and Creative Looks.
1. Quick start
Here is a complete, minimal profile:
name=My S-Cinetone Look
author=Jane Doe
gamma=S-Cinetone
color_mode=S-Cinetone
black_level=0
saturation=0
detail_level=-2And here is a complete, minimal Creative Look recipe:
name=My Faded Look
profile_kind=creative_look
base_style=FL
cl_contrast=-2
cl_fade=3
Save it as My-Look.profile (plain text, UTF-8). Then get it
onto a device with Lutaro:
- iPhone / iPad - AirDrop the file to your device and choose Open with Lutaro.
- Mac - drag the file into the Lutaro window.
You do not need every key. Only name= matters. Add as much or
as little as your source gives you. One extra rule: a Creative Look file
must include profile_kind=creative_look. Without it, Lutaro
reads the file as a Picture Profile.
2. Format rules
- One
key=valueper line. -
A line that starts with
#is a comment and is ignored. A#anywhere else is a normal character -name=Look #2keeps the#2. -
Keys are case-insensitive and spaces become underscores, so
Black Level,black_level, andBLACK_LEVELall mean the same key. -
Unknown keys are safe. A line like
my_note=whateveris kept as it is. Only two things make a file fail: a line with no=, or an empty key before the=. -
Only
name=is needed. If you leave it out, Lutaro uses the filename (without.profile) as the name. -
A number outside a key's range is changed to the nearest allowed value.
The file is not rejected:
black_level=50becomes15. Text values, such as a gamma name, are kept exactly as written. If the app does not know a spelling, it marks it in the editor and will not write it to the camera. So copy the spellings from the tables below exactly.
3. Key reference - Picture Profiles
Every Picture Profile setting Lutaro understands. Copy key names and the allowed values exactly.
Tonal
| Key | Meaning | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|
black_level | Black point. Lower deepens blacks (more contrast); higher lifts shadows (a flatter look). | whole number -15 to 15 |
gamma | The tone curve / dynamic-range mapping. See the gamma list below. | one of the gamma names (see the gamma list) |
black_gamma_range | How much of the shadow region Black Gamma Level affects. | one of: Wide, Middle, Narrow |
black_gamma_level | Lifts (+) or crushes (−) the shadows within the Black Gamma Range. | whole number -7 to 7 |
knee_mode | How highlight compression is decided. Auto meters the scene; Manual sets the curve by hand. | one of: Auto, Manual |
knee_auto_max_point | Highest signal level the auto-knee will target. Only used when knee_mode = Auto. | 90 to 109 (percent, e.g. 100%) |
knee_auto_sensitivity | How aggressively the auto-knee tracks bright scene content. Only used when knee_mode = Auto. | one of: Low, Mid, High |
knee_manual_point | Signal level where highlight compression begins. Only used when knee_mode = Manual. | 75 to 109 (percent, e.g. 100%) |
knee_manual_slope | Steepness of the compression curve above the knee point. Only used when knee_mode = Manual. | whole number -5 to 5 |
Color
| Key | Meaning | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|
color_mode | Color space / matrix. See the color-mode list below. | one of the color-mode names (see the color-mode list) |
saturation | Overall color intensity across every hue. | whole number -32 to 32 |
color_phase | Rotates the hue wheel. Negative → magenta/red; positive → green. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_red | Density of red - deepens (+) or lightens (−) reds without shifting hue. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_green | Density of green - foliage and the green component of skin tones. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_blue | Density of blue - sky, water, and the cool side of shadows. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_cyan | Density of cyan - water, sky, and the cool complement of skin. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_magenta | Density of magenta - the red-blue blend in skin, florals, sunsets. | whole number -7 to 7 |
color_depth_yellow | Density of yellow - foliage saturation, golden light, warm skin. | whole number -7 to 7 |
Detail
| Key | Meaning | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|
detail_level | Overall in-camera sharpening. −7 softens; +7 boosts edge contrast. | whole number -7 to 7 |
detail_adjust_mode | Use the camera's default detail tuning (Auto) or the five manual values below. | one of: Auto, Manual |
detail_adjust_vh_balance | Vertical vs. horizontal sharpening emphasis. Only used when detail_adjust_mode = Manual. | whole number -2 to 2 |
detail_adjust_bw_balance | Sharpening emphasis on dark edges vs. bright edges. Only used when detail_adjust_mode = Manual. | whole number 0 to 4 |
detail_adjust_limit | Cap on how much sharpening any single edge can get. Only used when detail_adjust_mode = Manual. | whole number 0 to 7 |
detail_adjust_crispening | Suppresses low-amplitude sharpening - keeps flat areas clean. Only used when detail_adjust_mode = Manual. | whole number 0 to 7 |
detail_adjust_highlight_detail | How much sharpening is applied within bright highlights. Only used when detail_adjust_mode = Manual. | whole number 0 to 4 |
Gamma values
MovieStillS-CinetoneCine1Cine2Cine3Cine4ITU709ITU709(800%)S-Log2S-Log3HLGHLG1HLG2HLG3
Color mode values
MovieStillS-CinetoneCinemaProITU709 MatrixBlack & WhiteS-Gamut3.CineS-Gamut3S-GamutBT.2020Rec.709709tone
4. Key reference - Creative Looks
A Creative Look starts from one of the camera's built-in base styles and
adjusts it. The file must include
profile_kind=creative_look. Use only these keys, and never
mix them with Picture Profile keys in one file.
| Key | Meaning | Allowed values |
|---|---|---|
base_style | The built-in Creative Look preset the recipe is based on. See the base style list below. | one of the base style codes (see the base style list) |
cl_contrast | Contrast adjustment on top of the base style. | whole number -9 to 9 |
cl_highlights | Highlights adjustment on top of the base style. | whole number -9 to 9 |
cl_shadows | Shadows adjustment on top of the base style. | whole number -9 to 9 |
cl_fade | Fade (black-lift) adjustment on top of the base style. | whole number 0 to 9 |
cl_saturation | Saturation adjustment on top of the base style. | whole number -9 to 9 |
cl_sharpness | Sharpness adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 4. | whole number 0 to 9 |
cl_sharpness_range | Sharpness Range adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 3. | whole number 1 to 5 |
cl_clarity | Clarity adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 1. | whole number 0 to 9 |
Base style values
STPTNTVVVV2FLINSHBWSEFL2FL3
Metadata keys
| Key | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
name | Profile name. The only key Lutaro needs - if omitted, the filename (without .profile) is used. | any text; required in practice |
profile_kind | What kind of profile the file holds. Omit it for a Picture Profile - that is the default. | picture_profile (default) or creative_look |
author | Who created the look. Optional; shown in the library. | any text |
notes | Free-text notes. Optional. Use this for anything the source states that has no key of its own. | any text |
tags | Comma-separated tags used to organize the library. | e.g. tags=cinematic, warm, indoor |
favorite | Marks the profile as a favourite. Optional. | true or false |
preview_image | A sample image shown with the profile. A filename kept next to the .profile file is simplest; an absolute path or ~/… also works. | e.g. preview_image=My-Look.jpg |
When Lutaro saves a profile it adds a few keys of its own
(
id, slot, tags_escaped,
white_balance). You never need to write these yourself, and
any extra lines you add are kept.
5. Let an AI write the file for you
Copy the prompt below into any chat AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini). Then paste your settings after it, or attach a screenshot or PDF. A photo of the camera menu also works, if your AI can read images.
Why the strict rules matter. AI tools often invent a
value, such as
black_level=-7, when the source does not give
one. The prompt tells the AI to write only what the source
actually says, and to put everything else into notes=. Check
the result before you import it. These values go to your camera.
You convert Sony camera color settings into Lutaro ".profile" files. Lutaro handles TWO kinds of profile: Picture Profiles (the PP1–PP11 video profiles: gamma, knee, color mode, detail, …) and Creative Looks (the ST/PT/FL/… still-photo recipes: contrast, fade, clarity, …).
I will give you camera settings from a source (a Reddit post, a YouTube description, a PDF, or a photo of the camera menu). Turn ONLY what the source explicitly states into one or more .profile files.
FILE FORMAT
- Plain UTF-8 text, one "key=value" per line.
- Keys are lowercase with underscores. Values are exact spellings from the tables below.
- A line beginning with "#" is a comment. Only "name=" is essential.
CHOOSING THE KIND
- Decide from the source which kind it describes. Gamma curves, knee, black gamma, color modes, PP slot numbers → a Picture Profile. A base look (ST, PT, NT, VV, FL, IN, SH, BW, SE, …) with contrast/highlights/shadows/fade/clarity adjustments → a Creative Look.
- A Picture Profile file uses ONLY the Picture Profile keys. A Creative Look file uses ONLY the Creative Look keys, and MUST include the line "profile_kind=creative_look". Never mix the two key sets in one file.
- If the source describes both kinds, produce a separate file for each.
METADATA KEYS
name - Profile name. The only key Lutaro needs - if omitted, the filename (without .profile) is used. (any text; required in practice)
profile_kind - What kind of profile the file holds. Omit it for a Picture Profile - that is the default. (picture_profile (default) or creative_look)
author - Who created the look. Optional; shown in the library. (any text)
notes - Free-text notes. Optional. Use this for anything the source states that has no key of its own. (any text)
tags - Comma-separated tags used to organize the library. (e.g. tags=cinematic, warm, indoor)
favorite - Marks the profile as a favourite. Optional. (true or false)
preview_image - A sample image shown with the profile. A filename kept next to the .profile file is simplest; an absolute path or ~/… also works. (e.g. preview_image=My-Look.jpg)
PICTURE PROFILE KEYS
black_level - Black point. Lower deepens blacks (more contrast); higher lifts shadows (a flatter look). Allowed: whole number -15 to 15.
gamma - The tone curve / dynamic-range mapping. See the gamma list below. Allowed: one of: Movie, Still, S-Cinetone, Cine1, Cine2, Cine3, Cine4, ITU709, ITU709(800%), S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1, HLG2, HLG3.
black_gamma_range - How much of the shadow region Black Gamma Level affects. Allowed: one of: Wide, Middle, Narrow.
black_gamma_level - Lifts (+) or crushes (−) the shadows within the Black Gamma Range. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
knee_mode - How highlight compression is decided. Auto meters the scene; Manual sets the curve by hand. Allowed: one of: Auto, Manual.
knee_auto_max_point - Highest signal level the auto-knee will target. Allowed: 90 to 109 (percent, e.g. 100%). (only when knee_mode = Auto)
knee_auto_sensitivity - How aggressively the auto-knee tracks bright scene content. Allowed: one of: Low, Mid, High. (only when knee_mode = Auto)
knee_manual_point - Signal level where highlight compression begins. Allowed: 75 to 109 (percent, e.g. 100%). (only when knee_mode = Manual)
knee_manual_slope - Steepness of the compression curve above the knee point. Allowed: whole number -5 to 5. (only when knee_mode = Manual)
color_mode - Color space / matrix. See the color-mode list below. Allowed: one of: Movie, Still, S-Cinetone, Cinema, Pro, ITU709 Matrix, Black & White, S-Gamut3.Cine, S-Gamut3, S-Gamut, BT.2020, Rec.709, 709tone.
saturation - Overall color intensity across every hue. Allowed: whole number -32 to 32.
color_phase - Rotates the hue wheel. Negative → magenta/red; positive → green. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_red - Density of red - deepens (+) or lightens (−) reds without shifting hue. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_green - Density of green - foliage and the green component of skin tones. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_blue - Density of blue - sky, water, and the cool side of shadows. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_cyan - Density of cyan - water, sky, and the cool complement of skin. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_magenta - Density of magenta - the red-blue blend in skin, florals, sunsets. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
color_depth_yellow - Density of yellow - foliage saturation, golden light, warm skin. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
detail_level - Overall in-camera sharpening. −7 softens; +7 boosts edge contrast. Allowed: whole number -7 to 7.
detail_adjust_mode - Use the camera's default detail tuning (Auto) or the five manual values below. Allowed: one of: Auto, Manual.
detail_adjust_vh_balance - Vertical vs. horizontal sharpening emphasis. Allowed: whole number -2 to 2. (only when detail_adjust_mode = Manual)
detail_adjust_bw_balance - Sharpening emphasis on dark edges vs. bright edges. Allowed: whole number 0 to 4. (only when detail_adjust_mode = Manual)
detail_adjust_limit - Cap on how much sharpening any single edge can get. Allowed: whole number 0 to 7. (only when detail_adjust_mode = Manual)
detail_adjust_crispening - Suppresses low-amplitude sharpening - keeps flat areas clean. Allowed: whole number 0 to 7. (only when detail_adjust_mode = Manual)
detail_adjust_highlight_detail - How much sharpening is applied within bright highlights. Allowed: whole number 0 to 4. (only when detail_adjust_mode = Manual)
CREATIVE LOOK KEYS
base_style - The built-in Creative Look preset the recipe is based on. See the base style list below. Allowed: one of: ST, PT, NT, VV, VV2, FL, IN, SH, BW, SE, FL2, FL3.
cl_contrast - Contrast adjustment on top of the base style. Allowed: whole number -9 to 9.
cl_highlights - Highlights adjustment on top of the base style. Allowed: whole number -9 to 9.
cl_shadows - Shadows adjustment on top of the base style. Allowed: whole number -9 to 9.
cl_fade - Fade (black-lift) adjustment on top of the base style. Allowed: whole number 0 to 9.
cl_saturation - Saturation adjustment on top of the base style. Allowed: whole number -9 to 9.
cl_sharpness - Sharpness adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 4. Allowed: whole number 0 to 9.
cl_sharpness_range - Sharpness Range adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 3. Allowed: whole number 1 to 5.
cl_clarity - Clarity adjustment on top of the base style. Camera default is 1. Allowed: whole number 0 to 9.
STRICT RULES - READ CAREFULLY
1. Output ONLY keys the source states an explicit value for. Never fill in defaults, never infer or guess an omitted setting.
2. Use the exact enum spellings from the tables above. If the source names a gamma, color mode, or base style that is NOT in the tables, do NOT substitute a similar one - record it verbatim in "notes=" instead.
3. Anything ambiguous, unrecognised, or that has no matching key goes into "notes=" verbatim rather than being coerced into a key.
4. Do not invent numbers. If the source says "slightly warm" with no value, put that phrase in notes=, don't write color_phase=-2.
OUTPUT
- Emit one fenced code block per profile. Each block is a complete .profile file.
- After each block, tell me to save it as "<Name>.profile" (plain text, UTF-8), using the profile's name.
- If the source describes several looks, produce one block each.
Here are my settings:
[PASTE YOUR SETTINGS HERE - or attach a screenshot / PDF]
Save each code block the AI returns as its own
<Name>.profile file, then import it as shown above.
6. Other things Lutaro can import
A single .profile file is the simplest case. Lutaro also accepts:
-
.lutaroprofilespackage - what Lutaro exports. This is the best way to share looks, because it keeps names, tags, notes, and preview images together. Open it or drag it in. - A
.zipof a.lutaroprofilespackage. - A folder of
.profilefiles - every profile inside is imported.
Have settings in another form, such as a blog post or a screenshot? Use
the AI prompt above to turn them into
.profile files.
7. Example files
Real profiles you can import. Download one and open it in Lutaro to see how the format works.
- S-Cinetone-Look.profile - Sony's cinematic gamma + color mode, all adjustments at their defaults.
- Rec709-Broadcast-Safe.profile - A standard Rec.709 starting point (ITU709 gamma, Rec.709 color mode).
- HLG3-HDR.profile - HLG3 gamma with the BT.2020 color mode, for direct-to-display HDR.
- FL-Faded-Look.profile - A Creative Look: the FL base style with a gentle fade and softer contrast.
Questions?
See the camera setup guide, email lutaro@akitaka.me, or open an issue at github.com/tarakanof/Lutaro-Site/issues.