# Using ACES (Clip Files)

mrViewer is largely compatible with ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) for color correction.

Camera RAW
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IDT to
ACES workspace
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(Optional)
LMT ACES to ACEScg
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ASC-CDL transforms
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LMT ACEScg to ACES
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RT from ACES to OCES
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ODT from OCES to Display

mrViewer reads AMF amf files that describe the different CTL transforms applied to an image. It also contains ASC-CDL color corrections which are emulated as Look Mod Transforms.

mrViewer can have multiple CTL transformations active at the same time. One transform is attached to the main view window and represents the monitor, video or film stock. This transform within the CTL naming conventions is often called the Output Device Transform (ODT). This transform is set in the main preferences window, in the CTL section. Most projects will require users to set the device transform only once and not change it.

mrViewer ships with several basic ODTs.

An ODT that tries to emulate film will often require a more complex 2D or 3D table lookup to try to emulate the inverse of the Print Film Emulation Transform (PFET). The PFET is particular to each film stock and film developing laboratory and generating it requires careful evaluation of the film stock and developing conditions. For more information about creating the inverse PFET, you should consult your developing laboratory.

A second transform available is the Rendering Transform or RT for short. This transformation is unique to each image and project and represents the transformation needed to take the RGB pixel values stored in an image to a pleasing internal CIE XYZ (OCES) representation for the project. mrViewer ships with a basic Rendering Transform that was given by AMPAS to provide a Reference Rendering Transform for Film which should become the standard for most film productions. If your project requires some special film effect (like bleach film), a special render transform might need to be used.

A third transform available is the Look Modification Transform (LMT). This transformation is intended mainly for camera devices to take their input images and color correct them based on certain knobs as done on set and is particular to each camera model. You can have only one LMT, but SOPNode/SatNode and transformation spaces from/to color correction.

Finally, there's an Input Device Transform (IDT) which is a transform used to take the camera's raw data into a proper ACES workspace. mrViewer ships with a list of input device transforms for some popular film cameras. If not one of the cameras listed, contact your camera manufacturer.
All of these transforms can be stored in an AMF metadata file. mrViewer loads equivalent named AMF metadata files if they are present. For example, for a frame called nature.%04d.exr, the clip file named AMF.nature.amf file would be loaded. Once the clip file is loaded you can press the LUT button in the main toolbar and wait for it to cook the transform (which should take a couple of seconds).