Luma AI Introduces Revolutionary Ray3 Video Generator with Professional HDR Output

Luma AI has just unveiled its new model called Ray3, which takes video generation to a whole new level. This model boasts that it is the first to create studio-quality video with HDR (high dynamic range) support. It supports 10-, 12-, and even 16-bit color depth, allowing results to be exported in EXR format. This makes it easier to integrate into professional editing and color grading workflows. It can also convert ordinary standard dynamic range (SDR) videos to HDR, opening the door to enhancing older footage.

One of Ray3's most distinctive features is its ability to "think" – it can process both images and text, follow complex instructions, and even evaluate its own output. According to Luma AI, this means that the model checks its initial versions itself and repeats the work until it achieves the desired quality. For example, in a demonstration presented by Luma AI CEO Amit Jain, the model processed a complex description featuring characters turning toward changing light and ending in an explosion. Most other models would not be able to handle this six-part sequence.

Visual Controls and Quick Drafts

Ray3 allows users to draw directly on images to control movement, objects, or camera shots. Instead of writing text descriptions, you can simply sketch a character's path on the screen, and the model will turn it into a video. This feature makes creation more intuitive and accessible for creators who prefer a visual approach.

Another new feature is Draft Mode, which generates rough versions of videos up to five times faster and more cheaply than previous methods. These drafts can then be enhanced to full 4K HDR quality in a second pass. Luma AI emphasizes that Ray3 improves realism in details such as crowd rendering, light interactions, reflections, motion blur, and character consistency. The model is already available for free through Luma AI's Dream Machine app, where you can try it out for yourself.

Partnership with Adobe and Availability for Professionals

Luma AI has partnered with Adobe to make Ray3 available through the Adobe Firefly app. Starting September 18, 2025, paid Firefly users will have access to unlimited AI-powered video generation for two weeks, after which a paid pricing structure will take effect. Hollywood studios and streaming services can order the tool separately for their filmmakers. Amit Jain called Ray3 the "most intelligent video model on the market" because it can examine itself and improve its work on tasks instead of waiting for repeated adjustments from the user.

Hannah Elsakr, Vice President of New Business Ventures for Generative AI at Adobe, added: "With Ray3 now available in the Firefly app, our customers are among the first to gain access to a powerful new video model that fuels imagination and transforms workflows. We can't wait to see how they use it to bring their ideas to life." This integration allows videos to be seamlessly transferred to programs such as Premiere Pro for further editing.

Competition and Practical Applications

Ray3 continues the tradition of Luma AI models such as Dream Machine from early 2024, which brought major advances in creating short videos from text descriptions. It now adds greater realism to short, 10-second videos without dialogue. The company has released several short films created with Ray3 to demonstrate its potential for storytelling. Unlike Google's Veo 3 model, however, Ray3 does not generate audio directly.

Luma AI, backed by investors such as Amazon and a16z, competes with companies such as Runway AI and Google Veo. The goal is to provide tools that make it possible to generate video without filming, reducing costs. The quality of generated videos will be crucial for adoption in an industry that is still debating the extent to which artificial intelligence can replace physical production. Ray3 focuses on professional uses such as advertising, films, and games, and its ability to simulate physics and maintain consistency makes it an attractive option for creators seeking fast, high-quality results.