> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.descript.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Color Adjustments

> Fine-tune the look of your images, videos, and scenes using color adjustments and preset filters.

Push exposure, contrast, and white balance to fix how a shot looks, or drop on a preset filter for an instant stylized grade.

<Note>
  **Properties panel behavior**

  The panel is context-aware and updates based on what you have selected—showing either scene-level or layer-level options. If the effect options you expect aren’t visible, check which item is selected in the Layer list. [Learn more about how the Properties panel works](/descript-tour/properties-panel).
</Note>

## Apply a color preset

1. Select an image, video, or avatar layer in your Scene Editor.
2. In the hover toolbar that appears, click **Color Adjustments** in the **Effects** menu. This opens the **Color Adjustments** section in [the Properties Panel](/descript-tour/properties-panel).
3. Browse the filter thumbnails in the carousel. Click a filter thumbnail to apply it.

To remove a filter, click the **None** preset button. This resets all color sliders to their defaults.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/descript-5bf56f3f/NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP/images/external/descript-44243286274701-ab92c478da.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP&q=85&s=fdbd413989b7a4e55ca1b8d5cc8b5644" alt="Color preset thumbnails in the Color Adjustments panel" width="1441" height="764" data-path="images/external/descript-44243286274701-ab92c478da.png" />

## Adjust white balance

White balance helps correct color casts in your footage. For example, it can help you adjust overly blue indoor footage or orange-tinted lighting to make it look more natural.

1. Select an image, video, or avatar layer.
2. In the hover toolbar, click **Color Adjustments** in the **Effects** menu to open the Color Adjustments section.
3. Click **More controls**, then click the **White Balance** button.
4. Click an area in your image or video that should be neutral (white or gray). Descript automatically adjusts the white balance based on your selection.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/descript-5bf56f3f/NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP/images/external/descript-44243276450701-e2a90bc9be.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP&q=85&s=4915f1559f59582bfa6a0c7e2aa08c0b" alt="White Balance picker tool in the Color Adjustments panel" width="1536" height="929" data-path="images/external/descript-44243276450701-e2a90bc9be.png" />

## Color parameters

For more precise control, adjust individual color parameters manually.

1. Select a layer.
2. In the hover toolbar, click **Color Adjustments** in the **Effects** menu, then click the **More controls** button in the top right corner.
3. Drag any slider to adjust its value. To reset a single slider, double-click it to return it to the default.

## Apply to all scenes

Color adjustments apply to the current scene by default. To apply your adjustments across all scenes at once, select the **All Scenes** toggle at the top of the Properties Panel *before* applying a color adjustment effect.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/descript-5bf56f3f/NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP/images/external/descript-44243286278797-3b32cd1a1a.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=NQQ8Oln3iV-r_AmP&q=85&s=22303a3b01b5f47d26e6c01e905c06d2" alt="All Scenes toggle in the Properties Panel" width="1383" height="883" data-path="images/external/descript-44243286278797-3b32cd1a1a.png" />

## Presets reference

| Filter              | Description                                                                              |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Neutral**         | Subtle enhancement for a balanced, true-to-life look                                     |
| **Warm**            | Adds warm golden tones                                                                   |
| **Cool**            | Adds cool blue tones                                                                     |
| **Black and white** | Converts to grayscale                                                                    |
| **Pop**             | Boosts contrast and saturation for a vivid look                                          |
| **Invert**          | Inverts all colors — useful for flipping dark logos on light backgrounds (or vice versa) |

## Color parameters reference

| Parameter       | What it does                                    | Range             |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| **Exposure**    | Adjusts overall brightness                      | Dark ← → Bright   |
| **Contrast**    | Adjusts difference between light and dark areas | Low ← → High      |
| **Highlights**  | Adjusts brightness of light areas               | Dark ← → Bright   |
| **Shadows**     | Adjusts brightness of dark areas                | Dark ← → Bright   |
| **Temperature** | Adjusts warmth or coolness                      | Cool ← → Warm     |
| **Tint**        | Adjusts green or magenta balance                | Green ← → Magenta |
| **Saturation**  | Adjusts color intensity                         | Muted ← → Vivid   |

## Known limitations

* **One filter at a time:** You can't stack multiple filters. Applying a new filter replaces the previous one.
* **Filter presets deselect on manual adjustment.** If you tweak any slider after applying a filter, the filter preset deselects (your slider values stay).
* **Color adjustments are applied last.** When layering multiple effects, color adjustments are always applied after other effects. Learn more about [applying and adjusting effects](/effects-animations-transitions/apply-adjust).