Including book cover when adding books

Keith0603 · 01-08-2010, 06:09 PM

I'm new to Calibre and trying to import my eBook library. My current library has all the formats of a title in a single directory. If I have a book cover, it's usually saved as "cover.jpg" in the same directory. It seems like Calibre ignores these files when doing an "Add Books".

Is there a way to have Calibre use these jpg files as the book cover on import?

Thanks!

Keith

JWLaRue · 01-08-2010, 07:43 PM

If you edit the metadata for a given book, you can import any image you want to be used as the cover image.

-Jeff

mezme · 01-08-2010, 09:42 PM

This is true... BUT for example... if I'm doing an import I usually am importing anywhere from 10 to 20 books at a time (limited budget... all purchases at one time right *lol*?)...

When I do this... I have Calibre search the directories and assume that all books in a folder is the same book / different formats. Still with me?

So... how hard would it be for the same code that imports the different formats... to also pick up a file labeled "cover.jpg" in that folder as the cover image? I realize that you can go back and edit the metadata... but for simplicity it would be an awesome feature to have. I'm curious to find out how many other folks would find that useful?

Starson17 · 01-08-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mezme

So... how hard would it be for the same code that imports the different formats... to also pick up a file labeled "cover.jpg" in that folder as the cover image?

AFAICT, calibre doesn't store anything in the database that tells it there is a cover image. It just looks to see if there is a file in the calibre library ebook directory called cover.jpg.

Since you already have the right name for the file, you could just drag the jpg into the corresponding library directory. I know it's not as easy as having the software do it, but for 20-30 books it would go fast.

mezme · 01-09-2010, 12:56 AM

Very true --- and I have a handy script file that does all the hard work for me. Right now I have Calibre import the books and then I click on the script to move the covers over. It's a one step process.

I guess my thought was... that if Calibre is already copying files into the directory... moving the cover.jpg file would take like one line of code? and yes... I'm well aware this is a "I would like to be lazy" thought... but still... overall I could see it improving the functionality of the application. Again though... that's just my two cents.

itimpi · 01-09-2010, 01:13 AM

I would suggest adding a ticket in Trac to make a feature request for this. If it really is easy it is then likely to get done.

Keith0603 · 01-09-2010, 01:52 AM

Oh cool! I guess I was almost there in having the filenames set to "cover.jpg". Until this is added as a feature I'll write a script to move to the correct directory after adding the books.

Thanks for all the quick responses!

LinLin · 05-18-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mezme

Very true --- and I have a handy script file that does all the hard work for me. Right now I have Calibre import the books and then I click on the script to move the covers over. It's a one step process.

I guess my thought was... that if Calibre is already copying files into the directory... moving the cover.jpg file would take like one line of code? and yes... I'm well aware this is a "I would like to be lazy" thought... but still... overall I could see it improving the functionality of the application. Again though... that's just my two cents.

Please tell me if book covers can appear on book in my Library instead of plain brown cover? The covers are found in the file and can be retrieved under photos icon; but not on cover of book in my library.

theducks · 05-18-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinLin

Please tell me if book covers can appear on book in my Library instead of plain brown cover? The covers are found in the file and can be retrieved under photos icon; but not on cover of book in my library.

That is because the Cover only exists separately in Calibre and there was no cover originally within the book.

Converting (even Same format to Same format) will update non-DRM'd books that accept images (eg. TXT does not).

alansplace · 05-18-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith0603

I'm new to Calibre and trying to import my eBook library. My current library has all the formats of a title in a single directory. If I have a book cover, it's usually saved as "cover.jpg" in the same directory. It seems like Calibre ignores these files when doing an "Add Books".

Is there a way to have Calibre use these jpg files as the book cover on import?

Thanks!

Keith

if the format your device uses (i use mobi) stores the cover in the the same file as the rest of the book, and if you change the cover in calibre the cover won't be added to that file till you do a convert, even if it's just a same format to same format conversion.
--
Alan

LinLin · 05-22-2011, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinLin

Please tell me if book covers can appear on book in my Library instead of plain brown cover? The covers are found in the file and can be retrieved under photos icon; but not on cover of book in my library.

please tell me how to get my book covers converted and transferred to my library instead of the brown books.

I have edited metadata and converted epub to epub and my covers remain in photo instead of my library.

help me please

theducks · 05-23-2011, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinLin

please tell me how to get my book covers converted and transferred to my library instead of the brown books.

I have edited metadata and converted epub to epub and my covers remain in photo instead of my library.

help me please

Photos Icon? What photos Icon?

If the correct book cover shows in the Book Browser window, and you convert, then SEND to Device, you should have that cover.

If a Brown Cover shows in the Book Browser, you can drag a good cover onto that, Then Convert .

01-08-2010, 06:09 PM	#1
Keith0603 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Windows Mobile 6.5 phone	Including book cover when adding books I'm new to Calibre and trying to import my eBook library. My current library has all the formats of a title in a single directory. If I have a book cover, it's usually saved as "cover.jpg" in the same directory. It seems like Calibre ignores these files when doing an "Add Books". Is there a way to have Calibre use these jpg files as the book cover on import? Thanks! Keith

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01-08-2010, 07:43 PM	#2
JWLaRue Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 300000 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD USA Device: Sony PRS-505 (blue, of course!)	If you edit the metadata for a given book, you can import any image you want to be used as the cover image. -Jeff

01-08-2010, 09:42 PM	#3
mezme Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS700	This is true... BUT for example... if I'm doing an import I usually am importing anywhere from 10 to 20 books at a time (limited budget... all purchases at one time right lol?)... When I do this... I have Calibre search the directories and assume that all books in a folder is the same book / different formats. Still with me? So... how hard would it be for the same code that imports the different formats... to also pick up a file labeled "cover.jpg" in that folder as the cover image? I realize that you can go back and edit the metadata... but for simplicity it would be an awesome feature to have. I'm curious to find out how many other folks would find that useful?

01-09-2010, 12:56 AM	#5
mezme Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS700	Very true --- and I have a handy script file that does all the hard work for me. Right now I have Calibre import the books and then I click on the script to move the covers over. It's a one step process. I guess my thought was... that if Calibre is already copying files into the directory... moving the cover.jpg file would take like one line of code? and yes... I'm well aware this is a "I would like to be lazy" thought... but still... overall I could see it improving the functionality of the application. Again though... that's just my two cents.

01-09-2010, 01:13 AM	#6
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	I would suggest adding a ticket in Trac to make a feature request for this. If it really is easy it is then likely to get done.

01-09-2010, 01:52 AM	#7
Keith0603 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Windows Mobile 6.5 phone	Oh cool! I guess I was almost there in having the filenames set to "cover.jpg". Until this is added as a feature I'll write a script to move to the correct directory after adding the books. Thanks for all the quick responses!