Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 Posted by Jim Thacker

BitConfused launches Cage online collaboration tool

New online collaboration tool Cage has gone live. The system is intended to provide a “secure environment for creative teams in web, mobile, print, video, design, 3D and motion graphics to easily present their work for feedback and approval”.

Cage enables users to upload and present files, manage tasks, organise revisions and receive approvals in real time, in a unified environment.

A background in the industry
Cage developer BitConfused has a track record in the industry, with co-founder Sandip Patel having previously been COO of CG training firm Digital-Tutors.

According to Patel: “Our biggest goal in re-imaging Cage was to make it useful for any type of designer, artist or creative team without a lot of clutter. Leaving out vital features for the sake of simplicity leads to workarounds, and that doesn’t work for anyone. We wanted to make sure the tool we built would make it easy for creatives to present, manage and secure approvals on their work … and look like geniuses while doing it.”

Since Cage entered private beta in 2011, more than 20,000 creative professionals have signed up to use the product. BitConfused’s press release focuses more on web and general technology firms (Google, Twitter, Facebook et al), but beta users also include staff at EA and Marvel.

As yet, the list of supported file formats does not include any actual 3D file types, but does include most common image and video formats, including PSD files.

Updated: we’ve been in touch with BitConfused, who confirm that support for OBJ and FBX files is in the works.

Updated again (9 November): BitConfused has updated Cage, adding “full support for multi-page PDFs; keyboard shortcuts; full support for audio formats; refined parts of the UI for better usability; and a number of updates to boost performance.”

Pricing ranges from $14 to $179 per month, depending on the subscription package you choose.

Visit the Cage website