Novice Questions

Calenorn · 08-26-2013, 07:49 AM

I just downloaded calibre for the first time, and I have very limited computer skills, so I hope everyone here won't mind some very basic questions.

Working with free e-books it's clear that they aren't all built the same. Some have a table of contents, and some do not. Some have a cover image, and some do not. When I saw that calibre would allow me to edit the metadata, including the cover image, I tried to improve some of my e-books with better covers.

What I discovered is that if the e-book came with a cover I could, indeed, replace that image with a different one. But I was not able to add a cover to those that had no cover from the start. So I assume that the original e-book was put together without the capacity to include a cover image. Does that sound correct?

If so, how can such an e-book be modified to include a cover image that will display as an icon on the shelves of an e-reader? Does calibre have that capability, or would it require other software, like Sigil? Also, how difficult is it to do such a conversion? Is it something a beginner could learn on his own?

Thanks in advance for your replies, and thanks also for your patience with a newcomer!

kovidgoyal · 08-26-2013, 09:11 AM

Just do a format to format conversion and calibre will add the cover always. for example if your books are in epub format, do an epub to epub conversion and the result will have a cover.

Calenorn · 08-26-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Just do a format to format conversion and calibre will add the cover always. for example if your books are in epub format, do an epub to epub conversion and the result will have a cover.

Splendid! I will try that this evening! Many thanks!

Ripplinger · 08-26-2013, 12:14 PM

Instead of doing a conversion, I usually just use the Modify ePub plugin for a quick cover change. Just check the option to "Insert or replace cover" under Covers.

Calenorn · 08-26-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Just do a format to format conversion and calibre will add the cover always. for example if your books are in epub format, do an epub to epub conversion and the result will have a cover.

Thanks, Kovid. It works perfectly!

Dylan Tomorrow · 08-31-2013, 01:23 PM

You can also use update cover in the polish pook feature (only available for EPUB and KF8=>new format MOBI/AZW3 files). The advantage is that it's faster and modifies only the cover. It works perfectly fine for books that come without a cover.

08-26-2013, 07:49 AM	#1
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,158 Karma: 8710811 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	Novice Questions I just downloaded calibre for the first time, and I have very limited computer skills, so I hope everyone here won't mind some very basic questions. Working with free e-books it's clear that they aren't all built the same. Some have a table of contents, and some do not. Some have a cover image, and some do not. When I saw that calibre would allow me to edit the metadata, including the cover image, I tried to improve some of my e-books with better covers. What I discovered is that if the e-book came with a cover I could, indeed, replace that image with a different one. But I was not able to add a cover to those that had no cover from the start. So I assume that the original e-book was put together without the capacity to include a cover image. Does that sound correct? If so, how can such an e-book be modified to include a cover image that will display as an icon on the shelves of an e-reader? Does calibre have that capability, or would it require other software, like Sigil? Also, how difficult is it to do such a conversion? Is it something a beginner could learn on his own? Thanks in advance for your replies, and thanks also for your patience with a newcomer!

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08-26-2013, 09:11 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Just do a format to format conversion and calibre will add the cover always. for example if your books are in epub format, do an epub to epub conversion and the result will have a cover.

08-26-2013, 12:14 PM	#4
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Instead of doing a conversion, I usually just use the Modify ePub plugin for a quick cover change. Just check the option to "Insert or replace cover" under Covers.

08-31-2013, 01:23 PM	#6
Dylan Tomorrow Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 640495 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Germany Device: Kindle Touch, Android smartphone w/ FBReader	You can also use update cover in the polish pook feature (only available for EPUB and KF8=>new format MOBI/AZW3 files). The advantage is that it's faster and modifies only the cover. It works perfectly fine for books that come without a cover.