How to: Assign Keyboard Shortcuts to Lumetri Color Functions in Premiere Pro 

Assign Keyboard Shortcuts to Lumetri Color Functions

Using keyboard shortcuts to color correct in Adobe Premiere Pro can be a game-changer. Changing values like the Clips exposure with your keyboard can save you a lot of time compared to opening the Lumetri Color panel, going to the right tab and adjusting the sliders manually. Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects have a built-in scripting language called ExtendScript, which allows you to easily create scripts and assign Lumetri Color functions to hotkeys. This enables you to map Lumetri Color parameters like contrast, exposure, and saturation to keys. Even if you are not familiar with ExtendScript yet, you can simply follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Setting up the Scripts 

As Lumetri Color is not natively available in Adobe Premiere Pro’s keymap editor, we will utilize the fact that these parameters can still be changed through Premiere Pro’s scripting language ExtendScript.

We’ll be starting by creating scripts to control Lumetri Color. Follow below steps to change any Lumetri Color property with an ExtendScript script. You can also skip this step and just download the already prepared scripts below.

The below example allows you to adjust the contrast of a selected clip. The code works similar for any parameter that you want to change.

function adjustParameter(clip, parameterName, value) { 
    var lumetriEffect; 
    for (var j = 0; j < clip.components.length; j++) { 
        var effect = clip.components[j]; 
        if (effect.matchName === "AE.ADBE Lumetri") { 
            lumetriEffect = effect; 
        } 
    } 
    var param = lumetriEffect.properties.getParamForDisplayName(parameterName);   
    var currentValue = param.getValue();   
    var newValue = currentValue + value;   
    param.setValue(newValue, 1);   
} 

var selectedClip = app.project.activeSequence.getSelection()[0];   
adjustParameter(selectedClip, "Contrast", 10);

Explanation

The code comprises the following important steps:

  1. Clip Selection: The first thing the script does is select a clip. The most common solution is to use the selected clip. However, you can also choose the clip beneath the playhead, etc.
  2. Access the Parameter: Next, we get the parameter we want to control (e.g., contrast, exposure).
  3. Adjust the Value: The last step in the script adjusts the parameter’s value based on the desired adjustment.

In this script, the adjustContrast function increases the contrast by 10 units. You can adjust the parameter to any desired value. If increasing the contrast by 10 units is too much for your needs, you can try any other value. Adjust this value depending on how granular you want the changes to be. You can test this script by copying it into the ExtendScript Hotkey Manager or the ExtendScript Developer Tools. You can use the last parameter of the adjustParameter(selectedClip, “Contrast”, 1) function to control how much you want to change the contrast with each key press.

Step 2: Creating Scripts for Other Lumetri Color Functions 

You can create similar scripts for other Lumetri Color functions such as exposure, saturation, and shadows. Use the code we’ve used to change the contrast and replace “Contrast” in the last line with “Exposure”, “Whites”, “Blacks,” “Saturation,” etc.

You can use plugins like the ExtendScript Developer Tools or simply test different values to change almost any Lumetri Color property. Plugins like the ExtendScript Developer Tools can also make it easier for you to find the correct parameter names by using the inspect features.

You can also use the below pre-made scripts: 

Step 3: Setting Up Shortcuts 

To assign those scripts to hotkeys we need to install a plugin, the ExtendScript Hotkey Manager. This tool allows you to assign shortcuts to your custom scripts.

ExtendScript Hotkey Manager

Assign keyboard shortcuts to any ExtendScript Script in Adobe Premiere Pro

Learn More
Download
ExtendScript Hotkey Manager

Step 4: Assigning Scripts to Hotkeys 

Now that you have your scripts and installed the Shortcut Manager, you can assign the scripts to keyboard shortucts.

  1. Open ExtendScript Hotkey Manager: Launch Premiere Pro and open the extension from the extension menu.  
  2. Add New Hotkey: Click on the “Add New” button.  
  3. Record Hotkey: Click “Record Hotkey” to assign a hotkey. Press the desired key combination when prompted.  
  4. Edit ExtendScript: Click “Edit ExtendScript” to select the scripts that you’ve created previously.

Conclusion 

Adjusting Lumetri Color sliders with your mouse makes it more difficult to hit the exact value you want. Using the keyboard for color correction can give you greater precision. Keep this in mind when configuring your shortcuts. For example, you could add a modifier key for more fine-grained control, giving you the precision you need while still providing quick shortcuts.

Using the keyboard to change Lumetri Color parameters without interrupting your work can also be a less expensive alternative to professional-grade control surfaces that offer tactile feedback and dedicated controls for color correction. This method is particularly beneficial for small studios and solo editors. 

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