[vtkusers] VTK Textbook Efforts Update

[Bill Lorensen]

Folks,

We are pleased to provide an update on efforts to update the online
resources for the fourth edition of the  VTK textbook

There are 3 coordinated efforts ongoing each with a different goal.
Currently, none of the efforts will rewrite sections of the fourth
edition. These are the first steps to a possible fifth edition, but
that effort will require significant resources.

1) The printed and free online PDF of the VTK textbook is the gold
standard for this edition. The online PDF is a low-resolution version
that exhibits some difficulty converting equations. It is available as
one, downloadable PDF with no active links. FrameMaker produces the
PDF  from FrameMaker files capable of producing different PDF
resolutions. Editing the FrameMaker files requires a license from
Adobe. It is unlikely the VTK community will have access to these
proprietary files. Major contributors include Will Schroeder and other
Kitware employees. See: https://www.vtk.org/vtk-textbook/

2)  A VTK latex version of the VTK textbook is a work-in-progress
effort. The goal is to produce a Latex version populated with links to
figures, references, equations, examples, etc. The PDF version is
downloadable as a single file.  The figures that exist as VTK Examples
are linked to the nightly output of the regression testing. Once this
work is stable, the user community will be able to push merge requests
to fix problems with the Latex. The major contributor is Andrew
Maclean. You can follow the progress here:
https://lorensen.github.io/VTKExamples/site/VTKBookLaTex/VTKTextBook/

3) A markdown version of the VTK textbook is also a work-in-progress.
The goal is to produce an interactive, platform friendly version of
the book. The entire text is available on as a Chapter by Chapter
website. The figures that exist as VTK Examples are linked to the
nightly output of the regression testing. Once this work is stable,
the user community will be able to push merge requests to fix problems
with the markdown. The major contributors are Bill Lorensen and
Bernhard Meehan. Bernhard has produced Latex for all 100 equations in
the text.  You can follow the progress here:
https://lorensen.github.io/VTKExamples/site/VTKBook/Chapter1/  and
other chapters.

When the Latex and Markdown versions are more complete, we will ask
the user community to help proofread the new versions.


Bill
-- 
Unpaid intern in BillsParadise at noware dot com