--- title: "ARRICORE in DaVinci Resolve: Project Settings, Color Management, and Conform Checklist" author: "Cutsio Team" date: "2026-05-08" lastmod: "2026-05-08" category: "Video Editing" excerpt: "The complete DaVinci Resolve setup checklist for ARRICORE footage — import, color management, LogC4/REVEAL settings, ALF4 look verification, and conform testing." tags: ["ARRICORE","DaVinci Resolve","ARRI RAW","Alexa 35 Xtreme","Color Management","LogC4","Post Production","Conform","ALF4","ARRIRAW"] --- ## How do you set up DaVinci Resolve for ARRICORE footage? To work with ARRICORE footage in DaVinci Resolve, use a current Resolve release with ARRICORE support through its bundled ARRI SDK, set the color management to DaVinci YRGB Color Management or ACEScct with Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4 as the input color space, and verify that ALF4 look metadata is interpreted as expected from the MXF file headers. ARRICORE is ARRI's RGB codec introduced with the ALEXA 35 Xtreme. ARRI describes it as 18-bit linear ALEV4 sensor data stored in a 13-bit RGB file using logarithmic Sensor Log coding, wrapped in MXF with ARRI metadata, audio handling, ARRI Textures, and ALF4 support. This checklist covers the exact settings and verification steps for importing, grading, and conforming ARRICORE footage in DaVinci Resolve. Working with raw camera footage? Check out [How to Build a Searchable Library From ARRIRAW, RED R3D, and ProRes Footage](/blog/how-to-build-searchable-library-from-arriraw-red-r3d-prores-footage). For more DaVinci Resolve tips, read our guide on [DaVinci Resolve AI Tools for Colorists and Editors](/blog/davinci-resolve-ai-tools-for-colorists-and-editors). ## What version of DaVinci Resolve supports ARRICORE? ARRICORE support depends on the Resolve release and the ARRI SDK version bundled with that release. Because support changes with software updates, verify with a real ARRICORE test clip before committing a production workflow. | Resolve Check | What to Confirm | Why It Matters | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Current Resolve release | ARRICORE clip imports and plays back | Confirms bundled decode support | | ARRI SDK information | SDK is current enough for the recorded mode | Avoids offline or unsupported media | | Operating system | Same OS as the finishing workstation | Support can vary by platform and install | | Test clip mode | Same resolution, frame rate, and Sensor Overdrive state as production | Prevents false confidence from a simpler sample | To verify ARRICORE support in your Resolve installation: 1. Open DaVinci Resolve 2. Go to DaVinci Resolve > About DaVinci Resolve 3. Check the ARRI SDK version listed in the system information 4. Note the ARRI SDK version if listed 5. Import an ARRICORE test clip from the production camera settings and verify it decodes correctly in the viewer If ARRICORE clips show as offline or display a decoder error, the Resolve version or ARRI SDK integration may not be current. Update Resolve to the latest version and re-test. ## What project settings should you use for ARRICORE? Configure the project settings to match the ARRICORE footage characteristics before importing media. Project Settings > Color Management: - Color Science: DaVinci YRGB Color Management or ACEScct - For DaVinci YRGB Color Management: - Input Color Space: Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4 (AWG/LogC4) - Timeline Color Space: DaVinci Wide Gamut or Rec.709 - Output Color Space: Rec.709 or P3 DCI (depending on delivery) - For ACEScct: - ACES Version: ACES 1.3 or later - ACES Input Transform: Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4 - ACES Output Transform: Rec.709 or DCI P3 ARRICORE footage from the Alexa 35 Xtreme uses the REVEAL color science with LogC4 encoding. The correct input color space is Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4. Do not use Alexa LogC (LogC3) — that is for earlier Alexa cameras with the ALEV3 sensor. Project Settings > Master Settings: - Timeline Resolution: Match the project delivery resolution (UHD 3840x2160 or DCI 4K 4096x2160) - Timeline Frame Rate: Match the source footage frame rate (typically 23.976 or 24 fps) - Playback Frame Rate: Same as timeline frame rate - Video Monitoring: Set to the delivery standard (Rec.709, P3, or Rec.2020) Project Settings > Image Scaling: - Resize Filter: Sharper (best for downscaling from ARRICORE Open Gate to HD/UHD) - Scaling: Center crop with no scaling for Open Gate footage that will be reframed ## How do you verify ALF4 look metadata in ARRICORE clips? When ARRICORE MXF files are imported into Resolve, verify how the ALF4 look metadata is interpreted before assuming the dailies look will appear automatically in the grade. To verify: 1. Import an ARRICORE MXF file into the Media Pool 2. Open the clip in the Color page 3. Check clip metadata, project color management, and the Color page for look/CDL/LUT behavior 4. Compare against a known-good reference render from ARRI Reference Tool, the DIT cart, or the approved dailies 5. Document whether Resolve is applying the look automatically or whether the colorist will recreate it as a reference grade If the ALF4 look does not match the reference: - The ALF4 metadata may not be embedded in the MXF header - The ALF4 file may reference a 3D LUT that is not in the Resolve LUT path - The ARRI SDK version or Resolve project settings may not be interpreting the look the same way as the dailies system To fix missing ALF4 looks: 1. Verify the MXF file contains ALF4 metadata by checking in the ARRI Reference Tool 2. If the ALF4 references a 3D LUT, copy the LUT file to the Resolve LUT folder 3. If the ALF4 metadata is missing from the MXF header, ask the DIT or lab to regenerate the look package from the verified camera originals 4. Re-import the MXF file into Resolve after fixing the metadata ## How do you conform an ARRICORE timeline in DaVinci Resolve? The conform workflow for ARRICORE footage is identical to ARRIRAW conform because both formats use the same MXF container structure and timecode metadata. Conform steps: 1. Import all ARRICORE MXF files into the Media Pool 2. Create a new timeline at the correct resolution and frame rate 3. Import the offline reference (XML/EDL from the offline edit) 4. Resolve attempts to automatically relink each clip to the ARRICORE source files 5. If automatic relinking fails, manually match by timecode and reel name 6. Verify the conform by checking timecode continuity and frame count 7. Confirm that the ALF4 look metadata is present and that the reference image matches the approved dailies 8. Apply creative grade adjustments using Resolve's normal grading tools The most common ARRICORE conform issue is reel name mismatch between the offline edit and the MXF file metadata. If the offline edit used a different reel naming convention, correct the reel name in the clip metadata panel before conforming. ## How does color management differ between ARRICORE and ARRIRAW in Resolve? ARRICORE and ARRIRAW use the same color space (Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4) on the Alexa 35 and Alexa 35 Xtreme. The color management settings in Resolve are identical for both formats. | Setting | ARRICORE | ARRIRAW (Alexa 35) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Input Color Space | Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4 | Alexa Wide Gamut / LogC4 | | Timeline Color Space | DaVinci Wide Gamut or Rec.709 | DaVinci Wide Gamut or Rec.709 | | Output Color Space | Rec.709 or P3 DCI | Rec.709 or P3 DCI | | RAW panel controls | Not applicable (RGB codec) | ISO, WB, tint, exposure metadata | | Look file support | ALF4 (embedded in MXF) | ALF4 (embedded in MXF) | The key difference: ARRICORE does not have a RAW panel because it is an RGB codec, not a raw format. ISO, white balance, and tint adjustments are made through the standard color corrector controls rather than the RAW settings panel. The non-destructive parameter control is handled through the REVEAL color pipeline metadata, which Resolve applies during decoding. ## FAQ ### Does Resolve support ARRICORE on Windows and macOS? ARRICORE support depends on the Resolve build, operating system, and bundled ARRI SDK. Verify on the same workstation class that will be used for finishing, not just on a separate editorial laptop. ### Can ARRICORE and ARRIRAW clips be mixed on the same Resolve timeline? Yes. ARRICORE and ARRIRAW clips from the same Alexa 35 or Alexa 35 Xtreme production can be mixed on the same timeline. Both formats use the same LogC4 color space, and the color management settings apply uniformly to both. ### How do I update the ARRI SDK in DaVinci Resolve? The ARRI SDK is bundled with DaVinci Resolve. To update it, update Resolve to the latest available version. There is no separate ARRI SDK installer for Resolve. Check the Resolve release notes to confirm which ARRI SDK version is included. ### What should I do if ARRICORE clips show as offline in Resolve? First, verify that your Resolve build supports the exact ARRICORE mode. Second, check that the MXF file opens in ARRI Reference Tool. Third, re-import the clip by clearing the Media Pool cache and re-scanning the file. If the clip still shows as offline, update Resolve or transcode a test copy through an ARRI-supported tool and re-test. ### Does Cutsio support direct XML export for ARRICORE conform? Cutsio supports XML export for timeline-based workflows. The XML contains timecode and reel name data that Resolve uses for automatic conform. For ARRICORE footage, download the original MXF files from Cutsio and use the XML from the offline edit for conform.

ARRICORE in Resolve. Set up in minutes.

Upload ARRICORE MXF files to Cutsio. Review with production color. Download originals for Resolve conform. Keep the ALF4 look package available from set to grade.

Try Cutsio Free

No credit card required. 60 minutes of free processing.