What it does
Colourlab Ai combines automatic balancing, reference matching and manual look refinement. Version 4 runs on Apple-silicon Macs and works alongside editing applications through connection-specific timeline and render workflows. A 14-day trial is available, alongside monthly, annual and perpetual paid options.
Choose the footage’s source colour space on import, balance the shot, then match a reference or library look. Luminance, colour, saturation and overall strength controls refine the match; shadows, midtones and highlights can be adjusted separately. Learn saves the finished adjustments as a style for other clips.
Returning to an editor
| Editor | Current connection |
|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | Direct Fetch and Push, or OpenTimelineIO files with rendered media |
| DaVinci Resolve Free, Premiere Pro, Avid | OpenTimelineIO files with rendered media |
| Final Cut Pro | XML files with rendered media |
A repeated Push overwrites grades on the affected Resolve clips. The rendered route can include Astra film emulation and skin processing, but those operations arrive baked into the pictures rather than as editable nodes. Existing grades, sizing, transitions and effects are not imported through either Resolve route; RAW media and compound clips are unsupported.
Monthly access is USD 49, with annual and perpetual alternatives. A 14-day trial starts through Houston, the download and purchase manager. Subscriptions include Look Designer, Cine IS, Astra and its premium profiles; Filmlab Ai is separate. The perpetual option includes updates and one major-version upgrade. Standalone Skin and Fine-Tune plugins are forthcoming, although both functions already work inside Colourlab Ai.
Strengths
- Reference matching has separate tonal, colour and strength controls.
- A saved Learn Style can be applied and refined across other clips.
Watch out for
- Version 4 currently requires an Apple-silicon Mac and does not support RAW media.
- Pushing again to Resolve overwrites existing grades on the affected clips.
- Rendered returns bake Colourlab operations into the image.
- Filmlab Ai is licensed separately from the main subscription.
Best for
- Editors and colourists matching a sequence around a chosen visual reference.
Sources
- Colourlab Ai 4 - Colourlab (Oct 28, 2026)
- Your First Grade - Colourlab (Oct 28, 2026)
- Editor workflows - Colourlab (Oct 28, 2026)
- DaVinci Resolve - Colourlab (Oct 28, 2026)
- Pricing - Colourlab (Oct 28, 2026)
- Terms of Service - Colourlab Ai 4 (Oct 28, 2026)