Tutorials

Step-by-step guides for professional workflows

Getting Started (Beginner)

Complete workflow from model to final image

Creating HDRI from Scratch

Generate 360° environment maps for 3D rendering

Cinema-Quality LogC Export

Professional log encoding for color grading

◎ Cinematic Prompt Machine

Master the art of professional prompts

Film Look Pipeline

Create authentic film emulation

Getting Started: Your First Workflow

Build a complete image generation pipeline from loading your model to saving your final image using the FXTD Radiance Sampler.

◎ 10 min Beginner Essential Foundation

Load Your Model

Start by loading your Flux model. Add a Load Checkpoint or Load Diffusion Model node:

# For Flux models, use:
[Load Diffusion Model] → Select your flux1-dev.safetensors or flux1-schnell.safetensors
Model Description Steps Needed
flux1-dev High quality, best results 20-30 steps
flux1-schnell Fast, good quality 4-8 steps

Load CLIP and VAE

Flux requires dual CLIP encoders and a VAE:

[DualCLIPLoader] → clip_l.safetensors + t5xxl_fp16.safetensors

[VAELoader] → ae.safetensors (Flux VAE)

Create Your Prompt

Add a CLIP Text Encode node for your prompt. Connect the CLIP output from DualCLIPLoader:

[DualCLIPLoader] → [CLIP Text Encode (Prompt)]

Tip: Use Cinematic Prompt Machine

Add Radiance Cinematic Prompt Machine before your CLIP encoder to automatically construct professional, high-fidelity prompts!

Set Up Empty Latent

Create an empty latent image as your canvas:

[EmptySD3LatentImage] # or EmptyLatentImage
Setting Recommended Notes
width 1024 Standard Flux size
height 1024 Square for best results
batch_size 1 Number of images

Add the FXTD Radiance Sampler ⭐

This is the heart of your workflow. The FXTD Radiance Sampler is optimized for Flux models:

[Load Diffusion Model] → model
[CLIP Text Encode] → positive
[CLIP Text Encode] → negative (empty for Flux)
[EmptySD3LatentImage] → latent_image

All connect to → [ FXTD Radiance Sampler]
Setting Value Description
steps 20 Sampling steps (4-8 for schnell)
cfg 1.0 Keep at 1.0 for Flux
sampler euler Best for Flux
scheduler simple Standard scheduler
flux_shift 1.0 Sigma shift (increase for hi-res)
flux_guidance 3.5 Flux guidance scale

Decode the Image

Convert the latent back to a visible image:

[ FXTD Radiance Sampler] → [VAE Decode] ← [VAELoader]

Preview with Radiance Pro Viewer

Use the Radiance Pro Viewer to analyze your image with professional scopes:

[VAE Decode] → [ Radiance Pro Viewer]

The Radiance Pro Viewer gives you histogram, waveform, false color, and more. Press H for histogram, E for false color!

Save Your Image

Finally, save your image to disk:

[VAE Decode] → [Save Image]

For HDR quality, use FXTD Save EXR or FXTD Save 16-bit instead!

Complete Workflow Summary

[Load Diffusion Model] ─────────────────────────────┐
[DualCLIPLoader] → [CLIP Text Encode] ───────────┤
[EmptySD3LatentImage] ──────────────────────────────┤
                                                      ↓
                      [ FXTD Radiance Sampler]
                                                      ↓
[VAELoader] → [VAE Decode] ──────────────────────────┤
                                                      ↓
        [ Radiance Pro Viewer] → [Save Image]

You Now Have

  • A complete Flux workflow with professional sampling
  • Optimized settings for best quality output
  • Professional image analysis with Radiance Pro Viewer
  • Ready to enhance with film effects, upscaling, and more!

Next Steps

Now that you have a basic workflow, explore the other tutorials to add:
• Film effects and grain for cinematic output
• LogC encoding for professional color grading
• HDRI generation for 3D environments

Creating HDRI from Scratch

Generate professional 360° HDR environment maps for Blender, Maya, Unreal Engine, and other 3D applications.

◎ 15 min Intermediate 3D Rendering, VFX

Set Up Your Prompt

Create a detailed prompt describing your environment. HDRI prompts work best with:

  • Outdoor scenes with natural lighting
  • Studio environments with controlled lighting
  • Dramatic skies (sunset, sunrise, overcast)
# Example HDRI prompts:
"equirectangular 360 panorama, sunset over ocean, golden hour, dramatic clouds, high dynamic range"

"360 degree studio environment, professional lighting setup, softboxes, grey backdrop, HDRI"

"spherical panorama, alien planet landscape, two suns, purple sky, sci-fi environment"

Configure Flux for 360° Output

Use a 2:1 aspect ratio for equirectangular projection:

Setting Value Notes
width 2048 Or 4096 for higher quality
height 1024 Always half of width
steps 25-30 More steps for detail
cfg 3.5 Standard Flux guidance

Build the HDR Pipeline

Connect these nodes to expand dynamic range and create a true HDRI:

[VAE Decode] → [ Image to Float32] → [ HDR Expand Dynamic Range]
→ [ HDR 360 Generate] → [ Save HDRI]

Configure HDR Expansion

Expand the dynamic range to simulate real HDR luminance:

Parameter Recommended Purpose
highlight_recovery 1.5 - 2.0 Extend bright areas above 1.0
highlight_power 2.0 - 3.0 How far highlights extend
shadow_lift 0.0 - 0.1 Keep shadows natural

Save as HDRI

Export in a 3D-application compatible format:

Format Use Case
.exr (32-bit) Best quality, all 3D apps
.hdr (Radiance) Blender, Maya, wide support
.tiff (32-bit) Photoshop compatible HDR

Pro Tip

For seamless 360° images, add "seamless panorama" or "continuous horizon" to your prompt. You can also generate multiple and blend them for variety.

Expected Result

  • 32-bit EXR with extended dynamic range (10+ stops)
  • Proper equirectangular projection for IBL lighting
  • Ready to use in Blender, Maya, Unreal, or any 3D app

Cinema-Quality LogC Export

Create DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro ready footage with professional log encoding.

◎ 10 min Professional Color Grading, Film Production

Why Use Log Encoding?

Log color spaces are used in professional film production because they:

  • Preserve maximum dynamic range for color grading
  • Match footage from cinema cameras (ARRI, Sony, RED)
  • Give colorists more latitude in post-production
  • Enable consistent look across different sources

Build the LogC Pipeline

This workflow converts AI-generated images to cinema-grade log footage:

[VAE Decode] → [ Image to Float32] → [ Color Space: sRGB → ACEScg]
→ [ Log Curve Encode: ARRI LogC3] → [ Save EXR (16-bit)]

Choose Your Log Curve

Select based on your post-production workflow:

Curve Best For Software Support
ARRI LogC3 Film production, most versatile All professional NLEs
ARRI LogC4 Latest ARRI cameras (ALEXA 35) DaVinci, Baselight
DaVinci Intermediate Pure DaVinci Resolve workflow DaVinci Resolve
ACEScct Full ACES color pipeline Pro facilities

Configure Export Settings

For maximum quality in post-production:

Setting Value Reason
Format EXR Full HDR, metadata support
Bit Depth 16-bit float Balance of quality and size
Compression PIZ or ZIP Lossless, good ratio

Import into DaVinci Resolve

To properly view your LogC footage in DaVinci Resolve:

  1. Import your EXR sequence
  2. Open Project Settings → Color Management
  3. Set Color Science to "DaVinci YRGB Color Managed"
  4. Set Input Color Space to "ARRI LogC3" (or your chosen log)
  5. Set Timeline Color Space to "DaVinci Wide Gamut Intermediate"
  6. Your footage will now display correctly and grade beautifully!

Important

Log-encoded images will look flat and desaturated — this is normal! They must be viewed with the correct color transform applied. Never judge your image quality based on the raw log appearance.

Expected Result

  • 16-bit or 32-bit EXR in professional log color space
  • 14+ stops of dynamic range preserved for grading
  • Compatible with DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, After Effects
  • Matches real cinema camera footage in your timeline

◎ Mastering the Cinematic Prompt Machine

Generate industry-standard cinematic prompts with granular control over every visual aspect.

◎ 5 min Beginner Any Generation

Understanding the Prompt Machine

The Cinematic Prompt Machine builds professional prompts by combining:

  • Camera — The camera body and sensor characteristics
  • Lens — Focal length, aperture, lens character
  • Lighting — Light quality, direction, mood
  • Film Stock — Color science and grain character
  • Style — Genre and artistic direction

Connect the Node

[ FXTD Cinematic Prompt Machine] → [CLIP Text Encode] → [KSampler / FXTD Sampler]

The node outputs a complete prompt string ready for your text encoder.

Configure Camera & Lens

Choose your virtual camera setup:

Camera Character
ARRI ALEXA 35 Cinema standard, natural skin tones
RED V-RAPTOR Sharp, high-resolution look
Sony Venice 2 High dynamic range, filmic
Blackmagic URSA Punchy colors, indie film look
Lens Effect
Cooke S7/i Classic cinema, gentle bokeh
Zeiss Master Prime Clinical sharpness, modern
Panavision Anamorphic Wide aspect, lens flares
Canon K35 Vintage, organic character

Set Lighting & Mood

Define your lighting setup:

Lighting Mood
Golden Hour Warm, romantic, cinematic
Blue Hour Cool, mysterious, contemplative
Rembrandt Dramatic, portrait, classic
High Key Bright, clean, commercial
Noir High contrast, shadows, moody
Natural Window Soft, diffused, documentary

Choose Film Stock & Style

Add color science and genre styling:

Film Stock Look
Kodak Vision3 500T Warm, tungsten balanced, classic cinema
Fuji Eterna Cooler tones, Japanese cinema
CineStill 800T Halation, night photography
Kodak Portra 400 Skin tones, fashion photography

Add Your Subject

Enter your main subject description in the subject field. The Prompt Machine will wrap it with all your cinematic settings.

# Example subject inputs:
"a woman walking through rain-soaked streets at night"
"an astronaut on the surface of Mars"
"a vintage car parked outside a diner"
"close-up portrait of an elderly man with weathered face"

Pro Tips

• Combine ARRI ALEXA + Cooke lenses for the most "Hollywood" look
• Use Anamorphic lenses for widescreen cinematic aspect
• CineStill 800T adds beautiful halation around lights
• Match camera + film stock from real productions you admire

Example Output

"A cinematic photograph of a woman walking through rain-soaked streets at night, shot on ARRI ALEXA 35 with Cooke S7/i 50mm prime lens at f/1.4, noir lighting with practical neon reflections, Kodak Vision3 500T film stock, 4K resolution, professional color grading, shallow depth of field, film grain, high dynamic range"

Complete Film Look Pipeline

Transform AI-generated images into authentic film-like footage with grain, halation, and color science.

◎ 10 min Intermediate Cinematic Output

The Film Look Pipeline

Connect nodes in this order for authentic film emulation:

[VAE Decode] → [⬆ FXTD Pro Upscale 2x] → [ Radiance Grade]
→ [ FXTD Film Look] → [ FXTD Lens Effects] → [Save Image]

Color Grade First

Use Radiance Grade to set your base look before applying film effects:

For This Look Settings
Warm Cinema Lift: +0.02 orange, Gain: -0.03 blue
Cool/Teal Lift: +0.03 teal, Gamma: -0.02 orange
High Contrast Contrast: 1.2, Saturation: 1.1
Faded Film Lift: +0.05, Contrast: 0.9, Sat: 0.85

Apply Film Stock

Choose a film stock preset in FXTD Film Look:

Stock Character Best For
Kodak Vision3 500T Warm tungsten, fine grain Night scenes, interiors
Kodak Vision3 250D Clean daylight, natural Outdoor, daylight scenes
CineStill 800T Strong halation, neon glow Night city, neon lights
Kodak Portra 400 Beautiful skin tones Portraits, fashion
Fuji Velvia 50 Saturated, punchy Landscapes, vivid scenes

Add Lens Character

Add optical imperfections for authenticity:

Effect Amount Purpose
Halation 0.1 - 0.3 Highlight glow (film look)
Chromatic Aberration 0.5 - 1.5 Color fringing at edges
Vignette 0.2 - 0.4 Dark corners (cinema)
Bloom 0.1 - 0.2 Soft glow overall

Less is More

Subtle effects look more professional. Start with low values and increase gradually. Heavy-handed grain and halation often look artificial.

Expected Result

  • Authentic film grain matching your chosen stock
  • Subtle halation around bright areas
  • Lens character (vignette, aberration)
  • Color science matching real film stocks
  • Professional cinematic output ready for delivery