[Bf-python] A python25.zip file is needed for the current CVS

[Joseph Greenawalt]

>> Not meaning to hijack the thread, but one idea we have been
>> informally discussing is requiring Windows users
>> to install Python if they want to have scripting capabilities.
>
> If it's just a matter of including a python25.zip file, then I'd strongly
> disagree with this.
>
> These days, with integrated scripts, scripting capabilities are not just
> extra functionality for technically advanced people, it's an essential part
> of Blender for import and export. Having to go and find, download and
> install Python is adding a substantialbarrier to entry for artists (many of
> whom do not know or care what Python even is)
>
> For an artist to download Blender and by default not be able to import or
> export anything would be an enormous turn-off and point of confusion. These
> days I think we should be doing as much as we can to encourage
> interoperability and make it easier for people to include Blender in their
> pipelines. We shouldn't be making this harder.
>
> cheers
>
> Matt
>

Hello, I'm a long-time lurker on this mailing list.  I thought I'd pop
in and say that I agree with Matt 100%.  Many artists have enough
trouble just installing a 3rd-party export script.  In the past I've
seen people give up in frustration trying to get a python install
going with Blender and the Torque DTS Exporter (I can point to
specific threads, if you want some examples of the trouble people have
had).  The inclusion of a more complete subset of python with Blender
2.40 and above has been a great help to many non-technically inclined
artists and users of our particular exporter.  I think that removing
this functionality would be a huge step backwards.  I'd say if
anything, go the other way with it and include a complete Python
install with the windows version of Blender.

My 2 cents.

- Joseph Greenawalt

Torque DTS Exporter for Blender:
http://projects.blender.org/projects/torqueexporter
Forums:
http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.forum.php?qf=134