Kromatica’s DigiDiff v3.0 brings an upgraded digital diffusion toolkit to DaVinci Resolve, aiming at colorists, finishing artists, and digital imaging technicians who want real-time, pixel-accurate optical diffusion in post. The plugin expands creative and technical control with new tint features, highlight handling, and a pack of presets based on industry-standard filters. Like before, it’s strictly pay-once and cross-platform, with a perpetual two-seat license.
v3.0: Now With Color and Clarity Tweaks
Version 3.0 introduces the Diffusion Tint control in its core DiffDesigner panel, letting users tint the diffusion effect either via Hue mode for custom color casts or CCT mode for Kelvin-style temperature shifts. This update caters to both creative and technical looks, such as “warming up” highlights or adding targeted color atmospheres.
DiffBoost, another new v3.0 feature, boosts diffusion only in image highlights. Two sliders, Boost and Clamp, ensure that bright details bloom as intended, while midtones and shadows stay crisp—a feature designed for users who want “mist” effects without sacrificing sharpness everywhere else.
Seven new presets have been modeled on analog diffusion filters frequently requested by DITs and colorists: Warm Black Pro Mist, Soft Net Black, Hollywood Black Magic, Bronze Glimmer Glass, HD Classic Soft, Black Frost, and LoCon. Presets can be tweaked and saved as custom profiles.
Under the Hood: Real-Time Diffusion
The heart of DigiDiff remains its mathematical diffusion engine, designed to replicate the scatter, glow, and blooming effects of real glass filters. Profiles can be dialed in to match specific film stocks or lighting scenarios. GPU acceleration is required for real-time playback up to 4K, with system recommendations set at 16 GB RAM, 6–8 GB VRAM, and Apple M-series or NVIDIA hardware. Support for higher resolutions is possible but should be verified per workstation.
Compatibility and Integration
DigiDiff is compatible with both the free and Studio versions of DaVinci Resolve. It runs on macOS 11 and above—including Apple Silicon—and Windows 10/11 with modern NVIDIA GPUs. ACES and Resolve Color Management pipelines are supported, and the plugin reads native camera log formats, integrating with color workflows used on set and in post.
Pricing
DigiDiff v3.0 is priced at $149 for a perpetual license, with no recurring fees or cloud requirement. Buyers receive two seats per purchase, usable across platforms. Licenses are perpetual and valid for two seats. One license covers two installations, whether that’s a Mac and a PC or two machines of the same OS. No subscriptions, and free updates for the foreseeable future.
Background and Use Cases
DigiDiff started as a workaround for missing or inadequate diffusion plugins in Resolve and quickly developed a following among colorists. Developers position it as a “digital extension” to optical filters, not a replacement, with case uses including commercial spots and branded content. Real-world feedback notes that DigiDiff can fill the gap when in-camera filtration wasn’t possible or for fast look development.
Production Reminder
As always, even the best plugin is only as reliable as its performance on real shots and workstations. Test DigiDiff v3.0 thoroughly in your own environment for playback stability, color accuracy, and client-facing output before relying on it in production work.
