Exceeding Boundaries: Enhancing Graphics Quality and Production Efficiency with KarismaCG
Founded in December 1987, Azabu Plaza Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese media production house with 150 employees. Hirotoshi Ikeda, Senior Engineer in the Video Product Division, discusses how KarismaCG has revolutionized their workflow, replacing their long-standing legacy systems.
Azabu Plaza Co., Ltd.
- Industry: Media & Post-Production
- Founded: December 1987
- Employees: 150
System Implemented
12 Units of KarismaCG NPS
The Challenge: Overcoming the Limits of Legacy Systems
Even before the discontinuation of DEKO, Azabu Plaza recognized a need for change. A 2013 client survey revealed that over 70% of production companies felt DEKO had reached its creative limits. Internally, there was a sense of stagnation as operators had fully mastered DEKO, leading to a “boredom” with the existing tool’s capabilities . Mr. Ikeda was tasked with researching next-generation systems to move beyond these constraints.
The Selection: Why KarismaCG?
The selection was based on three criteria: Graphics Quality, Productivity, and Switching Cost. KarismaCG was the only solution that surpassed DEKO in all areas.
- Premium Graphics Quality: KarismaCG delivers 2D quality equivalent to DEKO and high-end 3D graphics comparable to dedicated 3D CG software, without the "jagged" edges found in other systems.
- Unmatched Productivity: The intuitive UI allows for high-volume telop creation at speeds equal to or faster than before. The system remains stable and "stress-free" even during demanding 3D tasks.
- Minimal Switching Cost: KarismaCG can directly import legacy DEKO files and supports DEKO shortcuts, ensuring a smooth transition without interrupting daily operations.
The Results: High Client Demand
Despite initial hesitation in the field, the transition has been smooth thanks to Azabu Plaza’s unique internal training programs . Client response has been overwhelmingly positive, with an increasing number of “KarismaCG-specific” requests. While currently maintaining both systems, the plan is to migrate fully to KarismaCG.
Future Outlook
In the short term, the goal is for all staff to fully utilize advanced features like 3D and keyframe animation to please their clients.
Looking ahead, Azabu Plaza expects KarismaCG to further refine its NLE integration (NPS) and 4K capabilities to support the industry’s eventual shift toward non-linear workflows.