Disclaimer
The following method uses whats called a Symbolic Link, which requires a connection to the target directory. If you create a link from your local LUTs folder to a network folder, you will need to be connected in order to use them.
It’s also possible to create multiple symbolic links for the same folder. Meaning if you use multiple NLE’s you’ll be able to use the same LUTs folder.
Preparing the LUTs folder
First locate the LUT directory location.
For Windows this is usually located at: “C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\LUT”
Mac users will find it here: “/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT”
Rename the folder to LUT.backup, so that you still have an offline version, should you lose connection to the shared drive.
Create a LUT folder on your Shared Network Drive, I store mine in a directory named “Resources”. Copy over all your desired LUTs.
Windows
In order to use the Shared folder in Resolve we need to create a Symbolic Link between the Resolve folder, and the shared folder.
Windows users can create a symbolic link using the command prompt. (Command Prompt needs to be run as administrator.) The syntax for creating links in Windows is the following:
mklink /d "LINK" "TARGET"
So, therefore, all we would need to do is replace LINK with the path of the Resolve LUTs folder, and change TARGET to the folder in the shared directory, like so:
mklink /d "C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\LUT" "X:\MY_SHARED_DRIVE\RESOURCES\LUT"
(Note: You may need to adjust the drive letters or path)
Once the command is executed you should see a folder named LUT pop up with a shortcut icon and it’s done! You’ve created a Symbolic Link. Resolve will now have access to the LUTs stored in the shared folder.
I would also recommend you to create a new textfile in the Resolve folder and name it “Symlink LUT.bat” – This will create an executable file. Right click and hit Edit, and type in the same line you used to create the symlink with. This is so that if the SymLink should disappear after an update, it will still be easy to reestablish the link.
Mac
On a Mac the procedure is almost the same as on Windows, except for the folder structure being different and the LUT folder being in a different location. Locate the folder in “/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/” and rename it “LUT.backup”.
The syntax for creating links in mac is the following:
ln -s "TARGET" "LINK"
Notice how the TARGET and LINK have switched places. So the command to enter now would be something like:
ln -s "/Volumes/SHARED_VOLUME/Resources/LUT" "/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/LUT"
Unlike Windows the Symbolic Link persists after updates.
Graphical User Interface Options
Disclaimer: I haven’t tested any of these graphical tools myself.
MAC: SymbolicLinker
WINDOWS: Link Shell Extension
