Blender-Projects.com: a definition

• A free and open online platform • for all Blender users users

(Hobby-User, Freelancer, Studio)(Hobby-User, Freelancer, Studio)

• for presenting projects(models, animations, rigs, addons, learning material…)

Why projects are important #1 Education, training, background, etc. are great –

but what defines you really as an animator, modeler, developer,…?

→ YOUR PROJECTS (build your reputation)

„Don't say that you are great animator, modeler, … – let your ANIMATIONS, MODELS, ADDONS, etc.

speak for themselves!“

Why projects are important #2 It's great that Blender has:

a GPL license / cycles / a game engine / Bullet integration / OSL / and much more amazing features …

But at the end of the day:

Projects done with Blender count to build it's reputation as professional software!

Existing platforms

• For presenting projects: Blenderartists.org• For profiles: Blendernetwork.org

Why do we need Blender-Projects.com?

→ The need for a project centric platform

Project centric: Definition

Projects

Members(Creator / Team)

Project fields ● Addon / Rig / Model / Animation /…● Media (Images, Videos, 3d)● Team (member relations)

Project posts● Articles ● On the platform or linked

Project centric: Definition

Projects

Members(Creator / Team)

Project fields ● Addon / Rig / Model / Animation /…● Media (Images, Videos, 3d)● Team (member relations)

Project posts● Articles ● On the platform or linked

Project centric: advantages

• Project – User Relation (also multiple):• Who is part of a project ↔ What are projects of member x

• Project fields and potential filters• Currently: Category, Status, Motivation

• Future: Category specific e.g. Rigs: Character/Vehicle/Lighting, Blender version, Dev-Status

• Project specific posts• Structured news / history for longer/ongoing projects

See it in action

Profile examplehttp://www.blender-projects.com/members/wolfgang-rechberger

Projekt examplehttp://www.blender-projects.com/projects/aras-tale

Other platforms: Blenderartists.org

• Great user forum + huge userbase• Presenting projects, fast feedback, questions,

general news

• Forum paradigm: Forums, Threads, Authors• Limitations:

• Portfolio: Projects of member X? Teamprojects?• Present long projects (e.g. addons)?• Filter for animations, addons, rigs, …?

Platforms for projects

Blender-Projects.comProject centric

Present projects

• Build up portfolio

• Maintain projects

Blenderartists.orgForum paradigm

Present projects

• Fast feedback

• Questions, general news

Σ Use both systems(depending on intention)

Platforms for profiles

BlendernetworkProfessionals only(+ Students)

Official validation (!)

Idea: Use BP projects(„Project stream“)

Blender-Projects.comOpen for all

Validate yourself: Your projects !

Use BN Validation

Σ Collaboration between systems

Blender-Projects.com = „Open Initiative“

It's about you → Use your voice• Feedback, ideas, feature requests, …

How?• During the conference: talk to the guy!

• Issue-queue, E-mail (rechberger@blender-projects.com)

• Future: platform tools (polls, etc.)

Future Plans (overview)

• Fix bugs, mobile version improvement• Project category seperation• Studio accounts• External projects (simplified and linked, for listing only)

• Competitions

Project category seperation

Currently:• 1 Project type (all types have the same fields)

• Only seperation: Project category (Addon, Animation, etc.)

Future (Spring 2014):• Individual fields for project types:

• Different layouts possible

Addon: Blenderversion, Development status, …

Tutorial: Skill, Difficulty, …

Rig: Camera / Vehicle / Creature, …

After 1st proposal: Call for feedback & community input

Studio accounts

• Currently: only individual members• Future: Studios as members

• Better seperation individuals / studios• An additional way for funding the initiative

• Functions: Start conception phase 2014

Studio Accounts #1: „Studio Website“

• Idea: Use studio page as a low-price website• Functions (examples)

• Own subdomain (mystudio.blender-projects.com)• References (= projects)• Clients + Statements• Employees, contact form, logo integration, …

• Really needed ? Other/additional functions ?

Studio Accounts #2: „Fresh blood“

• Essential for any studio: fresh blood• Talents: animators, modelers, developers …• #1 Criteria for their skills: their projects

• Integrated application system:• For studios: compact, comparable• For applicants: use existing profile + projects

for applications

Support the initiative

• Be a part of it• Present your projects & Build your portfolio• Use your voice → Open initiative

• Know-how• Drupal, php + mysql, Server/hosting, …

• Financial support• Donations• Studios: Become a sponsor

Questions & Feedback ?

Wolfgang Rechberger

rechberger@blender-projects.com

My regular company: www.pundr.at/english