FAQ
Getting Started
Everything you need to know about PixelTools plug-ins, PowerGrades, licensing, and support. Can’t find your answer? We’re working colorists — write to us and a human replies.
Do I need DaVinci Resolve Studio?
Our DCTL plug-ins require the Studio version of Resolve — they won’t run in the free edition.
Film/Emulsion™ and Three/Strip™ also ship an OFX version (beta) with extra features and improved performance, and it works in DaVinci Resolve Studio and the free edition — so if you’re on free Resolve, those two tools are still on the table.
What’s the difference between a DCTL plug-in and a PowerGrade?
PowerGrades are preset node trees for Resolve’s Color page — complete, fully editable looks and workflows you can open up and adjust node by node.
DCTL plug-ins are compiled color-science tools that run as a single node with clean slider controls. They do math that ordinary nodes can’t, which is how they deliver better grades with far fewer nodes. DCTLs require DaVinci Resolve Studio 20+, and select tools also include an OpenFX version (beta) that runs in the free edition of Resolve as well.
Many colorists use both: PowerGrades as starting points and reference workflows, DCTL plug-ins as precision instruments in their everyday node tree.
What is a PowerGrade preset?
PowerGrade presets are customizable color grades \ looks saved for later use within Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, similar to a preset in other applications. Applying a PowerGrade preset is a seamless one-click process, so they’re an incredibly efficient method of storing complex creative looks, helpful effects templates and other common tasks frequently utilized during color correction and grading.
Aside from increasing efficiency, PowerGrade presets can also be used as a learning tool since they’re completely open, allowing full access to the individual color tools and effects used to create them.
Do you offer any PowerGrades \ DCTLs I can try?
Absolutely! We offer a rotating sample pack of PowerGrades that you can download from here.
You can also try out watermarked demos for each of our DCTL plug-ins, which are available on the product pages for each individual plug-in.
What makes PixelTools PowerGrades unique?
With a heavy focus on organization, reusability, and an easy end-user experience, PixelTools PowerGrades are designed to be unlike any other PowerGrades you’ve encountered: easily approachable yet infinitely customizable.
Every single PowerGrade preset has been meticulously labelled, organized and compounded, which makes using, modifying, and combining them a fun and creative process.
What is Color Correction and Color Grading?
Color correction is the post production process of manually adjusting your footage in order to find a correct balance between exposure, color temperature, and contrast.
Typically, color correction requires you to correct the white balance, adjust the shadows, midtones and highlights, contrast and set the overall balance for your footage.
Typically performed after color correction, Color Grading is the creative process of refining your footage so that further enhancements are made to image’s color, contrast, lighting within the image, color gradients and more to help convey a feeling or mood. Adding a creative look and/or emulating film stock is also done during the color grading process.
Simply put, color correction intends to normalize the footage to a consistent, balanced state, while color grading aims to creativity enhance it.
PixelTools color grading tools and presets are intended to aid in both the color correction and grading processes. While you can certainly use any PowerGrade or tool “as-is”, we strongly encourage you to use them as a starting point and adjust, as necessary, to best suit your specific footage.
What kind of support do you offer?
Our most important goal is to make sure you get the most out of PixelTools color grading tools. This means we’re here for you to make sure PixelTools products function properly and that you’re able to use them easily within your workflow.
However, our support is not limited to the usage of our products. We’d be happy to take a look at your film(s) and make suggestions in regards to exposure, contrast, white balance and how to prepare your footage to get the best results from the products you’re trying to use. We are here to help you get the perfect color grade for your project!
Compatibility & Installation
System requirements, color management, and the fastest way to install — plus what runs where.
How do I install PixelTools products?
The easiest way is the free PixelTools Installer app (macOS & Windows) — it installs and updates all of your PixelTools products in a couple of clicks, and lets you try demos of every plug-in.
Prefer to install manually? PowerGrades take under a minute:
- Open DaVinci Resolve and navigate to the “Color” Tab.
- Select or create a new PowerGrade Album by right-clicking and selecting "Add PowerGrade Album"
- Name the New PowerGrade Album e.g "Exposure PowerGrades"
- Drag & drop the .drx files into the newly created PowerGrade album.
For manual DCTL installation, see our step-by-step install guide.
Which operating systems and Resolve versions are supported?
PixelTools products are compatible with all Operating Systems that run Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 20+: MacOS, Windows, Linux, and iOS* (iPad Pro 12.9 only)
Do PixelTools plug-ins work with color management and ACES?
Yes. All of our DCTL and OFX plug-ins work in DaVinci YRGB, Resolve Color Management (RCM), and ACES workflows. Rather than fighting your pipeline with baked-in transforms, each tool does its math cleanly inside your working color space — so your grade stays predictable from monitor to delivery.
Does a PixelTools product support my specific camera / footage type?
PixelTools PowerGrade presets and DCTL plug-ins will work with essentially any camera format and source that is supported by Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Color Management.
While our products are optimized for scene-referred workflows (Log), they can be adjusted to work with traditional Rec709 Gamma 2.4 sources using a Color Space Transform effect.
Will PixelTools plug-ins slow down my system?
No — every PixelTools tool is GPU-accelerated and runs at UHD in real time on a MacBook Pro. If your system runs DaVinci Resolve comfortably, it runs PixelTools.
Can I use PixelTools in Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or other NLEs?
PixelTools plug-ins are built for Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve only, for the moment. Our tools are engineered around Resolve’s color pipeline — it’s where professional color work happens, and where we can guarantee the quality of every result.
Orders & Licensing
Licensing, seats, updates, and everything about your order.
Can I use PixelTools on commercial and client projects?
Absolutely — commercial use is included on projects with budgets up to $5 million. Working on something bigger? Reach out to inquire about a Studio license.
How many machines can I use my plug-ins on?
DCTL plug-in licenses can be activated on up to 3 machines, and OFX plug-ins on up to 2 machines.
Need more seats for a team or facility? Contact us — we’re happy to help.
Are product updates free?
Yes — updates are free and delivered through the PixelTools Installer app, which keeps every tool you own current with a single click.
What is your Refund Policy?
We're confident that you will love PixelTool products. However, if you are dissatisfied for any reason within the first 7 days of your purchase, please contact support and we will happily provide you store credit to use on another product that fits your needs.
To develop better product(s), we kindly request that you let us know why you are requesting a refund. Above all, we want you to be a satisfied customer so your feedback is highly appreciated and valued.
Please Note: PixelTools reserves the right to limit or decline refund requests if we find evidence of fraud, refund abuse, or other manipulative behavior. Store credit offers are only valid when purchased at regular price, not during sales or when bundled with free or discounted products.
How do I access my purchased products?
All products are available for immediate download after the payment process. Download links are generated immediately once the order is complete, available on the website for download up to 30 days.
You'll also receive an email with a link to download your purchase. If you need any assistance, please contact us.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payments by all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, along with PayPal.
Do you have an affiliate program?
As PixelTools is a small company, we rely heavily on word of mouth in our specific industry for others to discover us and our products. To encourage word of mouth, we offer an affiliate program. Contact us or learn more here for more information.