PowerGrades
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Time to read 5 min
The Ultimate PowerGrade Guide
Table of contents
PowerGrades are a powerful yet often underused feature in DaVinci Resolve, giving colorists, editors, and filmmakers an easy way to reuse complex grading setups like templates. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, mastering PowerGrades can boost your consistency across projects, unlock access to Hollywood-level looks, and introduce new, creative ways of working you may not have considered.
What Are PowerGrades in DaVinci Resolve?
In DaVinci Resolve, a PowerGrade is a saved "preset" of your color grading node structure that can be applied to other clips or projects. Unlike regular stills, PowerGrades are stored at the database level, making them accessible across all projects and encouraging consistent reuse throughout your workflow. More than just a simple preset, PowerGrades offer a window into the creative process—giving you insight into how other artists work and helping you grow into a more capable and confident colorist.
Flexible Film Emulation PowerGrade Node Tree (available via our newsletter)
How to Install PowerGrades in DaVinci Resolve
- Navigate to the “Color” page.
- Open the Still \ PowerGrade Albums list by clicking the "square" button in the top-left of the Gallery.
- Right-click and select "Add PowerGrade Album" to create a new PowerGrade Album.
- Drag & drop .drx files into the Album.
How to Create PowerGrades
- Grade: First, complete your desired color grade on a test clip. Try to be thoughtful about the entire imaging pipeline. Don't forget to label your nodes like an organized colorist (or colourist for my friends across the pond).
- Grab: In the Gallery panel, select a PowerGrade album, then right-click on the Viewer and choose “Grab Still” to save your grade as a PowerGrade.
- Export: Right-click on the still and select “Change Label” to rename your PowerGrade—this label will be used as the export filename, so choose wisely. Then, right-click anywhere within the Gallery and enable “Use Labels on Still Export” to ensure your labeled name is used during export.
Work smarter by organizing your most commonly used setups (including DCTLs and OFX) as PowerGrades. You'll look like a superhero with clients!
Tips for Efficient Management
- Organize Once, Benefit ∞: Spent the time to ensure sure your PowerGrades is PERFECTLY organized, labeled, and meticulously well-thought out. Labels and Node Layout will be maintained in the PowerGrade.
- Name the PowerGrade Clearly: Always name your PowerGrades clearly and descriptively (e.g., “Daylight Warm Look,” “Night Interior Moody”).
- Include Useful Metadata, Camera Information and Grading Info: Consider adding metadata such as camera type, lighting conditions, and color sciencewithin the PowerGrade’s description field.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some common issues when creating and working with PowerGrades, along with a few vommon troubleshooting tips and triks challenges and quick fixes:
- Missing Nodes or Adjustments: If a PowerGrade relies on a missing LUT, DCTL, or OFX plug-in, DaVinci Resolve will notify you when it’s applied—but you can still continue working. For everything to function correctly, DCTLs and LUTs must be installed in the exact same folder path as they were originally created in.
- Compatibility Issues: Be aware that PowerGrades containing specific plugins or third-party OFX effects require those plugins to be installed on any system where the PowerGrade will be used.
- Color Space Issues: Always double-check your project’s color management settings against the PowerGrade. A PowerGrade built for ACES, for example, might produce unexpected results if applied in a Rec.709 project—or vice versa. Fortunately, unlike LUTs, PowerGrades are fully editable, so you can usually tweak them to fit your workflow.
- Not Backwards Compatible: PowerGrades aren’t backward compatible in DaVinci Resolve, meaning those created in newer versions won’t work in older ones. Keep this in mind if you test at home on a newer version but work in a studio running an older, stable release. Also, double-check any purchased PowerGrades are compatible with your current version. All PixelTools PowerGrades support the last 2 official releases of DaVinci Resolve.
- Example Still shows "Media Offline": DaVinci Resolve stores the image preview for each PowerGrade in your Gallery Stills location. If that folder isn’t accessible (for example, due to a missing drive), the still may appear as “Media Offline”—but you can still apply the PowerGrade without issue.
PRO TIP: Create a Custom Still in Any Image Editor
Design a clear, easy-to-read still image to represent your PowerGrade. Save it over the original still exported with the PowerGrade. Then, rename both the PowerGrade file and the still image to the exact same name (keeping their respective file extensions). Finally, re-import them into Resolve to test.
Are PowerGrades backwards compatible with previous Resolve versions?
PowerGrades are not backwards compatible — a preset created in a newer DaVinci Resolve version will not work in an older one. All PixelTools PowerGrades are tested to ensure compatibility with the last two official Resolve releases. If you’re using other third-party PowerGrades and running a slightly older version of Resolve, be sure to confirm they’re compatible before installing.
The PowerGrade shows Media Offline when Installed. What's wrong?
DaVinci Resolve saves the thumbnail image for each PowerGrade in your Gallery Stills location. If that folder isn’t available — for example, if it’s on a missing or disconnected drive — the preview image will display as “Media Offline.”
The good news? This only affects the thumbnail preview. You can still apply and use the PowerGrade normally, even if the still image is missing.
I get an error about a missing LUT, OFX plug-in, or DCTL when applying the PowerGrade. What’s wrong?
If you get an error about a missing LUT, OFX, or DCTL when using a PowerGrade, it means that specific file or plug-in isn’t installed on your system and needs to be added before it will work correctly. You can also try disabling or deleting that node.
Don’t reinvent the wheel — start with proven PowerGrades trusted by artists and studios worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re creating your own or using high-quality third-party ones, mastering PowerGrades in DaVinci Resolve can be a game-changer. They not only boost your productivity and maintain visual consistency across projects, but they also free you up to focus on what really matters — creativity, not repetitive tasks. Want to try professional PowerGrades for free? Get our Free Toolkit by signing up for our newsletter.
Start building your PowerGrade library today and experience how an efficient workflow can transform the way you grade.
PowerGrades help you work faster by instantly recreating complex node tree setups. If it’s something you reuse across projects, turn it into a PowerGrade!
PowerGrades can be easily exported for use on another system—and when thoughtfully developed, they can even be sold or shared with third parties.
Unlike a Look-Up Table, PowerGrades can be fully customized to fit your specific imaging pipeline. You can apply the entire node tree or just a single node, giving you maximum flexibility and control.
Jason Bowdach, C.S.I
Jason Bowdach is a Los Angeles–based colorist and finishing artist with credits spanning film, television, and streaming, working with clients like Netflix, Adobe, and Disney. An industry thought leader, he founded PixelTools in 2019 to introduce a new generation of color grading tools and training. Jason also hosts the Color & Coffee podcast and consults with colorists and post-production studios worldwide to help improve their workflows. He is a certified Blackmagic Design trainer and a proud member of the Colorist Society Hollywood.