Core77

Other than with graphics and modeling programs, it's rare that a piece of software gets designed specifically with the needs of designers in mind, but UK-based ProofHQ looks to be bucking this trend a bit. The first online collaborative tool we know of made specifically for creative professionals, ProofHQ is essentially an elegant replacement for the endless stream of emails, YouSendIts and FTP transfers most of us use to review and approve design documents.

Much of the functionality of the application is pretty familiar: anyone who's used Basecamp, Campfire, or even Google Apps will recognize the project-oriented sign-in system, and mark-up tools are reminiscent of Acrobat.

What sets it apart, though, are the details: multi-page files can be uploaded and reviewed; navigation and version tracking is clean and intuitive; file support includes several different image types, including native Photoshop; and specific views are maintained when switching through versions and pages, allowing easy comparison with minimum fuss. They've also gone out of their way to make it as flexible as possible, allowing ProofHQ documents to be embedded in websites, blogs and Basecamp sessions, and providing a Flickr-like drag-and-drop uploading client.

According to CEO Mat Wilkinson, support of additional file types is next on the agenda, including some 3D formats (eDrawings and Acrobat 3D, maybe?), saving us some huge headaches down the line.

Demo movies here.