Clarify difference Ctools field blocks

I didn't know Ctools had a similar feature. So, I looked into it. Thanks for the tip @imadalin.

The feature comes from a (currently) experimental module; "Chaos tools blocks".

Once enabled, try to place a block at the Block layout page (/admin/structure/block)

You will see an option to select a display mode:

So, when you view a node page, Ctools would display the same node using the selected display mode, in defined region.

For example, consider having an image field to be used as a hero image in Article content-type.
Hide that field in Default view mode. Create a new display mode for node content, and enable it for the Article content-type. Update Article's display settings for the new display mode; remove all fields but leave the hero image field. So, when the page is refreshed now, the hero image will be displayed in defined region, and rest of the node content in its default region, Content.

I still think Field as Block module provides a better usability and simplicity though. But I am sure there are use-cases for both solutions.

So setting as a doc bug an propose to add something like this on the module page (did i get it right?):

Difference from Ctools field blocks

While Ctools field blocks rely on the formatter and settings from a configurable display mode, this module allows to configure the formatter and settings in the block configuration

PS: using the ctools approach, you still have to hide the author and date via css (display:none; for header element in my test) if the node type includes author and date.

Comment #3 to add to project page

Difference from Ctools field blocks

While Ctools field blocks rely on the formatter and settings from a configurable display mode, this module allows to configure the formatter and settings in the block configuration

+1 for #3 and #5 (RTBC)

#4 should be added maybe as a drawback of Ctools and as a motivation for this project to keep up the work. But I am not sure how long this issue will be like this, Carlos, since Field Layout etc. are under heavy development. Additonally you can change a view mode's look with template files. EDIT: Look at this progress: https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2923701 when this is in, the view modes added/used for CTools entity blocks can be configured hiding base fields also.

Apart from that we have even some more confusion going on here: https://www.drupal.org/project/block_field

Re #7 Block Field is the other way around, it seems from the module description: It allows users to create a field which contains blocks. Since this is clear in the module description, I do not consider it confusing, even though the names are pretty similar.

The module page has been updated now.