Preferences Panel
The Preferences Panel holds important controls for how Looks operates and displays. You can access the Looks Preferences from the Application menu on Mac or the Edit menu on Windows.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The External Video Out feature does not work in Avid Media Composer on Windows OS.
Rendering Method pop-up
Gives a choice of using your computer's GPU or CPU for rendering. No matter which engine is used to process the image, the output result will look identical, though the process time is longer when CPU rendering.
GPU: By default, the GPU option is chosen. GPU is the recommended method because it gives the fastest render, and will allow for practically real-time feedback of the changes you make to the tool controls. For smaller images such as those from video or destined for the web, the GPU engine should always be used.
CPU: This option is important when working with large images. Use the CPU method whenever your image dimensions exceed the maximum texture size on your GPU. For images larger than 4096x4096, the CPU engine should be used to generate final output. The CPU method is usually 4-5 times slower than the GPU but it allows for much larger image sizes; in this case, the Looks render will trade speed for image size flexibility.
Looks is now easy to use with 'headless' render machines. Headless renders did not work with Looks 1 because it did not utilize the machine's CPU. Set Looks 2 to CPU rendering if you are running Looks without a monitor attached. NOTE: Looks 2 should will automatically switch to CPU rendering if GPU is selected but you are not running a graphics card.
Sample View Uses pop-up
Determines how Looks displays its look presets and other color design choices.
Current Frame: The default setting. Displays whatever image is active and visible when Looks is launched. This option is chosen by default.
Sample Image: Displays a separate default image that ships with Looks. This option is good to use when the Current Frame or source image is difficult to preview.
Tool Tips pop-up
Turn the Tool Tips on or off. They are turned off by default. Tool tips are improved in Looks 2 and very helpful in describing what certain functions are for.
Look Theater Hold Time
Sets the amount of time that each Look is previewed during the Look Theater slide show. Default setting is 3 seconds. The hold time can be between 0-10 seconds.
Look Theater Transition Time
Designates the amount of time dedicated to the fade between Looks in the Look Theater. Default setting is 2 seconds. The fade can last up to 10 seconds.
External Video Device pop-up
Chooses the Video Out device that provides a single frame preview of your Looks treatment. Video mirroring to an external monitor was the #1 feature request for Looks and we listened!
On Mac: There is native support for AJA and Black Magic Design devices. The Video Out device is also available through QuickTime services including Digital Cinema Desktop and device-specific selections like Matrox. NOTE: iChat Theater Preview show up in the menu but it is not yet supported.
On Windows: There is native support for AJA and Black Magic Design devices.
There is currently a known issue with Black Magic cards in which they don't turn off Use External Video upon quitting out of Looks. Therefore, Looks does not release control of the external monitor when you go back to your host application. You will need to first switch off External Video before going back to your host application so you can access the external monitor from that host.
Keyboard shortcut: You can turn on/off external video with Command+E [Mac] or Control+E [Windows].
IMPORTANT NOTE: This Video Out feature does not work in Avid Media Composer on Windows OS.
(Output) Mode pop-up
Sets the Video Out output mode based on the external devices. The Mode options will auto-populate based on what devices are available.
Frame Size
Shows the frame size being previewed, measured in pixels. The frame size is determined by the (Output) Mode that has been chosen.
Update While checkbox
When active, this checkbox updates the Video Out device as you interact with the Looks controls. The result is seeing the Looks color treatment on your Video Out device. The external device will not display interaction elements from Looks such as vignette circles.
Video Monitor Aspect Ratio pop-up
Resamples the output preview size to match the pixel aspect ratio of the Video Out device. The preview image is scaled proportionately to fit entirely on the device's 4:3 or 16:9 screen. Black letterbox is filled in as necessary.
Standard: Resamples to a standard 4:3 ratio.
Widescreen: Resamples to a widescreen 16:9 ratio.