I have some CHM files I would like to convert to PDF. (Especially I would like to browse some help files of computer software).

What are the solutions out there (which software, freeware, GPL, etc.)?
Is there a solution to retain the links in PDF? Will they work properly on the iLiad as well?

Could you describe the whole conversion process? For example if it is made up of several steps starting with conversion to HTML, etc. I am also interested to know how to set the page size.

(I have seen several CHMs already converted to PDF by someone else using A4 format, but I would like to specifiy rather A5 or custom)

thanks!

I have some CHM files I would like to convert to PDF. (Especially I would like to browse some help files of computer software).

What are the solutions out there (which software, freeware, GPL, etc.)?
Is there a solution to retain the links in PDF? Will they work properly on the iLiad as well?


Probably better to convert chm -> html... Its compiled html anyway... There's extract_chmLib on Linux which does this, or you can use many Windows based chm -> html items. When I have a sec I'll post up my script that does this for you, as well as writing out a manifest.xml file (for page numbers and other niceties...)

Links of tools to extract content from CHM files:

chm2web (http://chm2web.aklabs.com/) (shareware)
KeyTools (http://www.keyworks.net/keytools.htm) (freeware)
CHM Encoder (http://www.gridinsoft.com/chm.php) (freeware)

Another solution: CHM To PDF Converter (http://www.theta-software.com/chmtopdf.htm) (shareware)

If you find TARGET="_blank" in html code, you should remove it or replace it with TARGET="_self" [iLiad can't open a new blank browser window]
[TARGET="_blank" is often used to open a fullscreen image.]

I am using my own convertor. Some times it is not so good, but I've solved the problem for me. It is command line, but it needs qt (I am just to lazy to rewrite it under std and in good way), perl, htmldoc and bash.

Just put chm2html, downlink.pl, chm2pdf.sh files from archive to ~/bin or /usr/local/bin (or some where else in path)
and run:
chm2pdf.sh my-chm-file.chm

Have updated my converChm perl script (http://www.syngrithy.org.uk/index.php?pT=7) so that it now outputs (optionally) to pdf...

Is the Reader Matrix wrong?

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

It lists *.chm as a supported format for the Iliad but this does not seem to be the case according to either this thread or the Iliad site :blink:

http://www.irextechnologies.com/products/specs

Is the Reader Matrix wrong? The matrix lists CHM support via FBReader. FBReader does read CHM files, but only if they are small (a few MB). Many CHM files are very large, and FBReader will run out of memory to hold them on the iLiad.

The latest Windows MobiPocket Reader 6.2 Beta version (http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/beta/desktop.asp) will supposedly import CHM files and convert them to MOBI.

The matrix lists CHM support via FBReader. FBReader does read CHM files, but only if they are small (a few MB). Many CHM files are very large, and FBReader will run out of memory to hold them on the iLiad.

The latest Windows MobiPocket Reader 6.2 Beta version (http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/beta/desktop.asp) will supposedly import CHM files and convert them to MOBI.

The CHM files I have are up to about 6MB so I guess I will need a converter tool.

Thanks for the clarification,

Martin

A free 'chm' --> 'html' solution (for Windows users) is discussed in the CHM wiki.