Eric /Qt documentation / how-to?

[Stewart Midwinter]

I'm trying to get an idea of how the Eric3 IDE works.  I've got it 
installed and running, and also have the Qt Designer installed and 
running. Thanks to a a tutorial I found in the Qt section of the 
moinmoin at python.org, I have figured out how to use .ui files in a 
python script to create my GUI.  So far, so good.

What I don't see is the value I would get from using Eric3.  I mean, I 
can use the Scintilla editor on a standalone basis, and launch Qt 
Designer manually.  What extra value would I get by using Eric3?  Is 
there a way to create .py files out of .ui files by using Eric3?

Lastly, is there any documentation that explains how to make best use of 
Eric3?

thanks
Stewart