NEW: An all-new Review Experience in Cage.
In our biggest release since launching the new version of Cage, we are bringing you streamlined navigation and a simpler, more intuitive experience for adding annotations, reviewing feedback, adding new versions and more.
This past week our team released the biggest set of improvements to Cage in months. Our goal was entirely focused on making the review experience faster and more contextual. From adding your first annotation to changing annotation tools to adding new versions, everything has benefitted from a rocket booster. Our team also spent time simplifying the interface, providing more context within different views, and organizing conversations for an easier read. Here’s the breakdown of everything we improved:
Faster and better annotations
It’s now easier than ever to add annotations to video, audio, images, PDFs, and other media assets. Now, just point, click and comment anywhere on the file— say hello to faster feedback! Feeling fancy? You can also select from a variety of annotation tools docked in an intuitive menu that’s always available when reviewing work.
Easier versioning
We’ve removed all the previous steps in publishing new versions of files. Now, adding a new version is as simple as dragging and dropping a new file in the view and tada — we automagically create a new version stack, add the date it was added and link the files so that you can see the evolution of the work. Toggle between versions as you like for transparency (or hide from your clients). We’re also working on tools to compare versions, too — stay tuned!
An organized feedback panel
It’s now quicker to navigate everyone’s feedback with each discussion grouped into threads in a single digestible view. Click any thread and the associated annotation automatically highlights so you know exactly what you’re replying to. Inline replies make adding comments faster (you can use emoji, @mentions, and add attachments too). Notes and Tasks (which are only accessible to your team) are both neatly organized into their own respective views.
Updated video & audio player
Our new player got a visual refresh. You can use video review tools to exchange time-coded comments (with threaded replies) with anyone. Adding annotations to specific frames is fast and effortless and skipping to different comments within the timeline is a smoother playback experience with less buffering.
New Zoom Tool
We’ve made the Zoom tool easier to use. By default, Cage loads files at full width (edge to edge), but from there, you can zoom in, out or snap to the original size of the file. Perfect for spot-checking details of print proofs or seeing what a website would look like in the browser.
Manage tasks and resolve comments
It’s now easy to add and track tasks that are made on files. Add from the annotation itself using the “task icon” or directly from the panel. Delegate changes to your team, assign dates and time, and see work get done faster. Want to just keep track of feedback and ensure you made changes or addressed feedback? Opt for “resolving” notes instead – a less formal approach to managing feedback.
More intuitive public & private comments
One of the best (and most hidden) gems of Cage. Ever need to get on the same page with your team before addressing a client? Or perhaps want to propose something to your team without your client seeing anything? You’re not alone! When a file is added to Cage, it’s private by default. That means when you and your team have internal review and discussions, only your team can see those. When you share that file with clients, the status of that file changes to public, at which point you clearly see the options to either add a “public comment” and “public reply”, or you can opt for “private comments” and “private replies”. So when your client posts a public comment of “making the logo bigger,” you can have a quick private discussion with your team (that your client can’t see), before posting a public comment that you’re going to think about that a bit more. You’re welcome!
A simplified interface
It’s now easier than ever to navigate files in Cage. Reviewing, annotating, replying or approving has become more intuitive and usable thanks to these updates. We’ve managed to add some new useful features but decluttered things at the same time — win, win.
So much more to come
Our team is working on a series of improvements around Presentations and making it a breeze to create and share them, as well as our regular performance improvements. We’ll be sharing some new integrations that we’re excited about in addition to introducing new pricing options. Already using Cage? If so, drop us a line, we’d love to get your early feedback on what we’re cooking up. (hello@cageapp.com).
