[Bf-docboard] Blender books -> official reference

[Mike Belanger]

I think both books and wikis can coexist.  The Wiki should focus on documenting
features, sort of a glossary of tools, settings, etc.  It'd be generic, just tells you what's what.  
But it should be complete, and consistent.

Books on the other had, could have specific tutorials, with specific steps, and settings.    

That way, people have a consistent, reliable online source for features, but can get
more specific tutorials if they buy a book.



Mike Belanger ( Mikahl )
www.watchmike.ca





On 2010-03-03, at 7:55 AM, Ira Krakow wrote:

> Hi Ton,
> 
> Your idea about a Reference Guide is an excellent one.  The problem, however, is that one size doesn't fit all.   Everyone has a different level of Blender knowledge, so that something one person might think is too self evident might be new information for someone else.
> 
> For example, how should Blender 2.5 Python be documented?  If someone already knows the principles of OOP, classes, methods, attributes, inheritance, and so on, and knows Python, then the current API documentation, which lists the classes and methods, is just fine.  If someone doesn't understand OOP, or, for that matter, is new to programming, the current documentation is insufficient and a reference guide would have an entirely different look.
> 
> This principle works with other parts of Blender.  Do we expect users of the animation reference to be seasoned 3D animators, or do they need a reference to animation basics as well?  The same goes for rigging, lighting, texturing, etc., etc.
> 
> I think we need, instead of one comprehensive reference guide, a series of guides for different aspects of Blender, geared for different levels of user.  The "Noob to Pro" book is an excellent first step to get beginners up to speed, but we can't really expect everyone to be expert in all aspects of Blender.  So perhaps I'm suggesting a series of reference guides?
> 
> These are just some preliminary thoughts, to start the conversation.  The goal is a very worthy one.
> 
> Best wishes,
> Ira
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 8:14 AM, Ton Roosendaal <ton at blender.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> Writing Blender books for (commercial) publishers is already a good
> and common bizz nowadays. I can only recommend anyone who is
> interested in this to contact publishers with good plans!
> 
> Blender Foundation is also publisher, we did this initially also to
> open up the market for Blender in bookstores. That's not really needed
> anymore. :)
> 
> What would be useful though is still:
> - have about one book published per year to get additional income
> - support the current active documentation volunteers
> - have good quality, open and free docs in wiki.
> 
> I'd like to get two projects running for this.
> One is for an updated "Blender Essential 2.5" book, for that I'll
> first work with the team who has done the first Essential book.
> 
> Another project is to check on the feasibility for a good (annual?)
> printed reference guide. Check for example how the 2.3 guide reference
> was done, I still think a good example of useful reference content for
> users (includes screenshots etc).
> Would there be a useful and efficient way to organize this? To get
> both a great printed book as content for wiki? How? Who? :)
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -Ton-
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ton Roosendaal  Blender Foundation   ton at blender.org    www.blender.org
> Blender Institute   Entrepotdok 57A  1018AD Amsterdam   The Netherlands
> 
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