## Introducing SDR to HDR

**SDR to HDR** is a professional reconstruction tool for filmmakers, colorists, and VFX artists, powered by our [**SwitchHDR**](/content/research/switchhdr/index.html) model. It turns standard 8-bit SDR footage into true 16-bit HDR masters built for production pipelines. Unlike tone mapping, SwitchHDR rebuilds the detail SDR threw away. It recovers information behind blown windows and crushed blacks, while keeping well-exposed areas faithful to the source.

**Key features:**

- **True 16-bit EXR output** with a full ACES workflow (ACES2065-1, **AP0**)
- **Expanded depth and range** for smoother grading with less banding
- **Precise control** via highlight and shadow masks, with optional text prompts
- **Powered by SwitchHDR**, our foundational model trained specifically for accurate SDR-to-HDR reconstruction

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## Quick start

1. **Upload your source**  
   Upload an image or a video ( **1-240 frames**). For longer clips, trim before uploading.

2. **Set the masks**  
   Use **Highlight** and **Shadow** thresholds to define which regions the model reconstructs. The overlay and histogram show exactly which pixels are affected. 
   **Video:** Use **Change Frame** to verify the mask on a different frame.

3. **Set options and generate**  
   Optionally describe the recovered highlights and shadows (or click **Suggest**), pick **1080p** or **720p**, and generate. Set a fixed **Seed** under **Advanced** for reproducible results.

4. **Preview and download**  
   Check the result with the **EV slider**, then download the outputs: the **EXR** sequence and the **HLG**`.mov`.

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## Specs

| Item | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **Resolution** | 1080p or 720p (short edge is scaled to the selected resolution) |
| **Aspect Ratio** | Always preserved |
| **Frame Rate** | Always preserved |

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## Export

| File | What it is |
| --- | --- |
| `{name}_ACES2065-1.exr` / `.zip` | Finishing master EXR in **ACES2065-1 (AP0)**, **16-bit half-float**. Video jobs download as a numbered EXR sequence in a ZIP. |
| `{name}_HLG.mov` | For video jobs, a Rec.2020 / **HLG** QuickTime for playback and review. |
| `{name}_mask_highlight` / `_mask_shadow` | Reconstruction mattes (PNG for images, MP4 for video) for comp and selective grading. |

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## Load in DaVinci Resolve & Nuke

Unzip `{name}_ACES2065-1.zip` and import the EXRs, then follow the setup below so they are read as ACES, not as Rec.709 / sRGB.

### DaVinci Resolve

- Before importing, set **Project Settings → Master Settings → Timeline frame rate** to your source clip’s rate.
- Already imported? Right-click the sequence → **Clip Attributes → Video Frame rate**.

### Color space

Pick **one**. Combining both can cause a double transform.
**Option A: Project-wide ACES**

1. **Project Settings → Color Management**: Color science **ACEScct**, ACES version **1.3**
2. Set the **Output / Display Transform** for your monitor (e.g. Rec.709)

### Option B: Per-shot Color Space Transform node

We recommend using the **default project setting** (DaVinci YRGB, Rec.709 Gamma 2.4).

1. **Color page → add a node → Effects → Color Space Transform**
2. Input: **ACES (AP0)** / **Linear** → Output: your timeline space (e.g. **Rec.709 / Gamma 2.4**)

### Enable ACES OCIO

Set your Nuke OCIO config to ACES (commonly `aces_1.2` or `aces_1.3` depending on your pipeline).
### Read node

For `{name}_ACES2065-1.exr`, set **colorspace** to **ACES - ACES2065-1** (or the equivalent label in your config).
### Viewer

Set the viewer / monitor transform to your target display (e.g. **Rec.709**).