“In this day and age, I don’t think it is possible to create images without using CG. The essence of image creation is intuitiveness and the key to this is simplicity. Through CG we can achieve this.” Okuyama comments. In the early 2000’s, when he was wondering why video production companies didn't make CG by themselves, a prime-time TV program he was involved in as a director suddenly required CG, and he created it himself using Shade3D, which he had started using as a hobby at the time. He came across a feeling of pride and accomplishment when the CG content that he had created using Shade was shown on air, and he decided to start a business in CG production for TV programs, using the speed of his work as a selling point..

This unique style of "Express CG production" actually meets the needs of clients. Mr. Okuyama recalls his successes in the following cases: 1) a TV program that was originally scheduled to show a brain tumor removal surgery filmed with a camera, but was replaced with computer graphics a few hours before the program was to be aired; 2) a corporate VP (video package) production that had to be delivered in a short period of time even though it required time to communicate with advertising agencies and production companies between him and his client.

"At first, I used other CG software," he says. Nearly 20 years ago, he bought the basic version of Shade, which he found at an electronics store, and when he tried it, the free-form surface modeling using Bezier curves suited him. The feeling of quality modeling that it provided struck him, "This is it," and he moved to the multi-function version. He also realized its excellent rendering function that can draw large still images in a short time, and also its functionality that provides the best solution for cases where a large number of rendered images must be produced in a short time while ensuring the minimum necessary quality for rush CG production. Since then, DXA has also unified its software environment with that of its alliance partner Gain Co., Ltd. in Shade3D, and since then, the two companies have been working together on a variety of CG production projects.

"It was a job that brought me great joy as a creator. "That's what Mr. Okuyama says about the CG production for the TV commercial of Aderans Inc. that he did using Shade3D at the beginning of this year. There, he uncompromisingly pursued the expression of the fluffy movement of hair. In order to ensure that it would be close to the image in customers' minds, he set the fluffiness level in multiple steps. He analyzed and processed the customer’s requests, explained them to the creators, and realized them through modeling and rendering. As he made minor changes, he showed the preview version to the client and worked on the movement. On the other hand, CG production for TV programs usually has a short delivery time. For one variety show in particular, they were required to produce 30 cuts of 10-second CG videos in the next two days. Mr. Okuyama and his team said, "We're in a panic," but they were able to meet the challenge by working with Poser. On another occasion, just before their client started filming the medical drama (at the end of December of the previous year), it was discovered that the actor playing the role of a neurosurgeon needed CG materials to be used in the surgical explanation scene. They were able to deliver high-definition CG by early January of the following year after taking on the offer.

Based on this experience, Mr. Okuyama listed the various functions of Shade3D. He then stated that the beauty of Shade is that anyone can create CG intuitively and easily, and that Shade should be used to promote the joy of CG to a wide range of people.

"To do so, since Shade is originally a good software, more effort needs to be made to get professionals to use it." He also explains that the number of professionals will not increase unless they are nurtured, so it is important for young people who have the potential to become professionals to understand how fun it can be.

"With this in mind Mr. Okuyama hopes that Shade3D will continue to maintain its great flexibility for generations to come."

▲CG for Aderans TV commercial created in 2021, utilizing Shade3D's free deformation capability to reproduce the subtle movements that customers desire. (Aderans Company Limited)

▲Imagery from a medical drama that utilized CG to explain a neurological surgical procedure.  (Nippon Television Network Corporation "TOP KNIFE - A Top Neurologist Story -")