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Clarity

ToolSets / Lens

Lens

2026-09-07

ToolSets/lens/clarity.nk

lens

clarity

local contrast

detail

grade

utility

filter

View on GitHub

Multi-scale local contrast control for Nuke, with a clarity slider, optional log handling, mix, and mask.

Clarity adjusts midtone local contrast using a multi-scale blur stack. The clarity slider (cc) runs from -1 to 1 and drives blur sizes across five scales, which are weighted, blended, then combined with the source through divide and multiply merges so detail is strengthened or eased without a simple global contrast curve.

Turn on log when the pipe is log-encoded; the group converts to Cineon for the effect and back again on the way out. Mix (which) dissolves between the untouched input and the processed result, and a mask input limits where the effect applies.

Use it on beauty or graded plates when you need punch in texture and form—skin, fabric, landscapes, or set detail—while keeping overall exposure stable. It sits naturally after lens or grain work, or anywhere you want targeted snap before a final grade.

Script code

set cut_paste_input [stack 0]
version 9.0 v7
push $cut_paste_input
Group {
 name clarity
 tile_color 0x421010ff
 selected true
 xpos -2240
 ypos 814
 addUserKnob {20 User l clarity}
 addUserKnob {7 cc l clarity R -1 1}
 addUserKnob {6 log -STARTLINE}
 addUserKnob {41 which l mix T Dissolve1.which}
 addUserKnob {26 ""}
 addUserKnob {26 lbl l "" +STARTLINE T "clarity v1.1"}
 addUserKnob {22 btn l DerekVFX.ca T "nuke.tcl('start', 'https://derekvfx.ca')" +STARTLINE}
}
 Input {
  inputs 0
  name mask
  xpos 37
  ypos 138
  number 1
 }
 Input {
  inputs 0
  name Input
  xpos -114
  ypos -386
 }
set N5906b400 [stack 0]
 Colorspace {
  colorspace_out Cineon
  name Colorspace1
  xpos -312
  ypos -386
  disable {{"parent.log != 1"}}
 }
 Dot {
  name Dot1
  xpos -278
  ypos -337
 }
set N5906bc00 [stack 0]
 Blur {
  size {{1*cc*10}}
  mix 0.5
  name Blur1
  xpos -894
  ypos -245
 }
push $N5906bc00
 Blur {
  size {{2*cc*10}}
  mix 0.5
  name Blur2
  xpos -794
  ypos -245
 }
push $N5906bc00
 Blur {
  size {{4*cc*10}}
  mix 0.5
  name Blur3
  xpos -694
  ypos -245
 }
push 0
push $N5906bc00
 Blur {
  size {{8*cc*10}}
  mix 0.5
  name Blur4
  xpos -594
  ypos -245
 }
push $N5906bc00
 Blur {
  size {{16*cc*10}}
  mix 0.5
  name Blur5
  xpos -494
  ypos -245
 }
 Blend {
  inputs 5+1
  weight0 3.48
  weight1 2.72
  weight2 2.04
  weight3 1.57
  weight4 0.99
  name Blend1
  xpos -494
  ypos -175
 }
set N5914e400 [stack 0]
 Dot {
  name Dot2
  xpos -460
  ypos 80
 }
push $N5906bc00
push $N5914e400
 Merge2 {
  inputs 2
  operation divide
  name Merge3
  xpos -407
  ypos -94
 }
push $N5906bc00
 Merge2 {
  inputs 2
  operation multiply
  output {rgba.red rgba.green rgba.blue -rgba.alpha}
  name Merge2
  xpos -312
  ypos -10
 }
 Switch {
  inputs 2
  which {{"cc < 0 "}}
  name Switch1
  xpos -312
  ypos 76
 }
set N59524c00 [stack 0]
 Colorspace {
  colorspace_in Cineon
  name Colorspace2
  xpos -312
  ypos 138
  disable {{"parent.log != 1"}}
 }
push $N5906b400
 Dissolve {
  inputs 2+1
  which 1
  name Dissolve1
  xpos -114
  ypos 132
 }
 Output {
  name Output1
  xpos -114
  ypos 265
 }
push $N59524c00
 Viewer {
  frame_range 1001-1001
  colour_sample_bbox {0.6162109375 0.0556640625 0.6171875 0.056640625}
  samplepoints {{-0.380859375 0.224609375}
    }
  input_process false
  name Viewer1
  xpos 534
  ypos 819
 }
end_group