best way to add graphics to an e-book

[angharad09]

Hello all,

I'm new to Calibre and to e-books in general. Right now my goal is to create the simplest possible version of my document in .epub and .mobi. The document contains a couple of maps, and on my first rough attempts to create e-book versions I see that the maps split between pages. If you're scrolling you can see the whole map, but if you're going page by page, you see part of it on one page and the rest on the next page. So my question is: Is this normal? Is it what people would expect to see? And if not, how do I make the image stay all in one piece?

I have a simple HTML file, with no CSS right now; the maps are JPGs and they are linked to the main document with <img> tags. I have converted it using Calibre to .epub and .mobi and been able to call it up in Adobe Digital Editions and the Kindle desktop app.

I can live with the split image if necessary. And I'm still familiarizing myself with what format aspects you should try to control and what you should let go. But if there's a better way to do the images, I'd like to know it.

Thanks, and, great program!!!

Amanda

[jackie_w]

Hi Amanda, Welcome to MobileRead.

Where exactly are you seeing this split jpg image? Is it on an ereader device or in the Calibre Viewer?

To the best of my knowledge when Calibre converts your html via a zip-to-epub or zip-to-mobi it uses the setting in Convert - PageSetup - Output profile to decide what to do with each image. If the jpg dimensions are larger than the screen resolution of the device in the output profile then the image will be rescaled downwards to make sure it fits the screen. I have never known Calibre to split an image into pieces.

It sounds as if you are creating your html correctly. Just try viewing the epub/mobi on the actual reader.

From my own experience (which is only with epub on Sony and Pocketbook devices) I have found it best not to include any width or height attributes in the <img> statement, i.e a typical <img> statement would look something like:

<p class="myimg"><img src="images/map.jpg" alt="Map" /></p>

[theducks]

is the Image really Split or is it just being Scrolled?

Setting a reasonable size for either Height or Width in the stylesheet could help.

auto is not handled well by ADE.
Pick only one size (the closest to the device limit) element, to avoid stretching the other to fill the gap

[angharad09]

Originally Posted by theducks

is the Image really Split or is it just being Scrolled?

Ah -- can you explain the difference or what "really split" means? All I meant was that it _looks_ split, if you advance using the next-page buttons. (It looks fine if you just scroll.)

If this is normal behavior, it's fine with me. I am totally new to this & was pleasantly surprised to find you can use graphics at all.

For what it's worth, the two images in question are 500 pixels wide and 500 to 560 pixels high. I haven't attached any sort of style to them.

I appreciate the answers so far!
Amanda

[theducks]

Originally Posted by angharad09

Ah -- can you explain the difference or what "really split" means? All I meant was that it _looks_ split, if you advance using the next-page buttons. (It looks fine if you just scroll.)

If this is normal behavior, it's fine with me. I am totally new to this & was pleasantly surprised to find you can use graphics at all.

For what it's worth, the two images in question are 500 pixels wide and 500 to 560 pixels high. I haven't attached any sort of style to them.

I appreciate the answers so far!
Amanda

That is normal. It is too large for a single 'Screen', when you page, it 'steps' to the next portion.
As yo noticed, you can scroll to any portion of the single picture.

I don't have a K, but if the device type(Preferences: common options) was set before converting, I believe Calibre will take care to re-size things.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by angharad09

... I have converted it using Calibre to .epub and .mobi and been able to call it up in Adobe Digital Editions and the Kindle desktop app. ...

You're better off using the Kindle Previewer instead of the Kindle destop apps, though using both isn't a bad idea. Previewer does a good job of replicating the display on a Kindle device. The desktop app does not.

You can download the Kindle Previewer here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000234621

Kindle devices will not scroll a large image. They will scale the image down to fit the screen. You need to account for this when designing the maps so that the image remains readable.

Kindles do have a built in function to zoom smaller images to full screen by highlighting them with the 5-way controller and clicking (just point and click in the Previewer). A second click returns you to the original image size. The zoomed image will rotate to make the best use of the screen.

You can set the "original" display size using width and height attributes in the <img> tags. To be certain that the zoomed image isn't just a blur you need to use an image with adequate resolution (600x800 pixels minimum), setting the dimensions in the <img> tag smaller than the image's actual size.

[Manichean]

Moderator Notice
Moved to conversion subforum. I think it fits better there...

[angharad09]

Originally Posted by Manichean

Moved to conversion subforum. I think it fits better there...

Thanks for the help, all! I have a better idea how to proceed, at least for now. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions one day.
Best,
Amanda