Preserving images from DRM'd mobi

Paulinafrica · 05-15-2011, 05:06 AM

Hello Everybody, Yesterday I purchased a book from Amazon, but due to poor formatting on the part of the publisher I have had to remove the DRM - Oh, OK I would have done that anyway

- convert to ePub, make the changes in Sigil and then re-convert back to mobi, all of this was done using Calibre & Sigil.

My problem is that in its original .azw format there are images at the start of every chapter, but the paradox for me at the moment is that the very act of removing the DRM also removes the images for some unfathomable reason, has anyone come across this problem and has a solution?

I'm trying to avoid using too many programs to achieve this, I'm quite comfortable with both Calibre & Sigil, although roll on the day when I can do the editing in mobi format using Sigil

.
Cheers
Paul

CRussel · 05-15-2011, 11:12 AM

Probably a Topaz book, and yes that would remove them. I'm sure there's a workaround, since I think those images get saved somewhere when you do the conversion. You probably should start in the Calibre forum, though the DRM question may cause issues. But it's ultimately the conversion from topaz to mobi that caused it. so ask there. Or at your Apprentice Alf's blog.

Paulinafrica · 05-16-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Probably a Topaz book, and yes that would remove them. I'm sure there's a workaround, since I think those images get saved somewhere when you do the conversion. You probably should start in the Calibre forum, though the DRM question may cause issues. But it's ultimately the conversion from topaz to mobi that caused it. so ask there. Or at your Apprentice Alf's blog.

Thanks for the response, although I'm pretty sure that it's not a Topaz book, it is a brand new release, but I will try the Calibre forum as you've suggested.
Cheers
Paul

DiapDealer · 05-16-2011, 12:02 PM

I've seen some weird formatting issues because of svg images after removing drm, but I've never had images actually disappear. In the instances where I had problems, doing a mobi to mobi conversion (in calibre) usually fixed the formatting issues. Friends of Alf would probably be interested in the details if there's truly some sort of issue here.

mr ploppy · 05-16-2011, 12:08 PM

I had the same problem with epub files made with http://web2fb2.net and converted to mobi with Calibre, not sure if it is related or not. It turned out to be caused by the image files, but I don't know why. I fixed it by converting them to greyscale, after that they showed up okay.

alansplace · 05-16-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulinafrica

My problem is that in its original .azw format there are images at the start of every chapter, but the paradox for me at the moment is that the very act of removing the DRM also removes the images for some unfathomable reason, has anyone come across this problem and has a solution?

i added a new azw book (free at the kindle store) to calibre with the 3.8a plugin installed and active. it converted to a mobi but the mobi had none of the artwork (it's a kid's picture book) contained in the azw. as an experiment i simply changed the azw on the original file to mobi and it opened in mobireader without drm complaint and still had the artwork.

does this thread belong here in 'kindle"?
--
Alan

Paulinafrica · 05-17-2011, 12:50 PM

Well I followed alanspace's advice, rather sceptically it has to be said, I changed the file extension from .azw to .mobi and to no surprise it wouldn't open in Kindle Previewer, I then imported it into Calibre - still with the .mobi extension - and after having been 'liberated' I opened the file again in Kindle Previewer and Hey Presto - nay - lo and behold the images are there! Now that really is bizarre to say the least, for my next trick I will convert it to ePub and try editing once again in Sigil, hopefully retaining the images, I will report back with my progress once I have done this. Although I cannot understand how a file extension will affect the conversion of the file.

Yes, I'm sure you're right, it probably shouldn't be in the 'Kindle' section.

Cheers
Paul

DiapDealer · 05-17-2011, 01:40 PM

I'd be interested in the titles of some of these problematic Kindle books... especially free (or incredibly cheap) ones.

alansplace · 05-17-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'd be interested in the titles of some of these problematic Kindle books... especially free (or incredibly cheap) ones.

The Mouse and the Christmas Cake (ILLUSTRATED) [Kindle Edition]
--
Alan

Paulinafrica · 05-17-2011, 02:08 PM

Well I can report back that I converted to ePub - images still retained - edited the file to my liking in Sigil, re-converted back to mobi in Calibre, transferred to the Kindle via Calibre and now all is well, still can't get over that a simple change of the file extension had such an impact though, how bizarre.

DiapDealer not incredibly cheap, but at £2.10 it's not too bad Sinema 2: Sympathy for the Devil by Rod Glenn Although it is a cracking good read.
Cheers
Paul

DiapDealer · 05-17-2011, 02:19 PM

Thanks guys!

DiapDealer · 05-17-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

The Mouse and the Christmas Cake (ILLUSTRATED) [Kindle Edition]

Alan, that mobi file is just a mess. I have trouble even paging beyond a certain location with Kindle for PC. The metadata is incomplete and the EXTH Header record in general is a mess. It's just fubar (strictly from a formatting standpoint).

alansplace · 05-17-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Alan, that mobi file is just a mess. I have trouble even paging beyond a certain location with Kindle for PC. The metadata is incomplete and the EXTH Header record in general is a mess. It's just fubar (strictly from a formatting standpoint).

well, it is a freebie.
--
Alan

cybmole · 05-18-2011, 12:54 AM

I never understood the business sense of giving away very badly formatted kindle books. Amazon should patch them up or pull them off the shelves.
otherwise potential Kindle readers may view a couple of freebies, think "load of C***p" , & don't buy any more Kindle books (as you conclude thats that's typical Kindle format quality)

CRussel · 05-18-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulinafrica

Well I followed alanspace's advice, rather sceptically it has to be said, I changed the file extension from .azw to .mobi and to no surprise it wouldn't open in Kindle Previewer, I then imported it into Calibre - still with the .mobi extension - and after having been 'liberated' I opened the file again in Kindle Previewer and Hey Presto - nay - lo and behold the images are there! Now that really is bizarre to say the least, for my next trick I will convert it to ePub and try editing once again in Sigil, hopefully retaining the images, I will report back with my progress once I have done this. Although I cannot understand how a file extension will affect the conversion of the file.

Yes, I'm sure you're right, it probably shouldn't be in the 'Kindle' section.

Cheers
Paul

It would be really useful if you reported this in the Calibre section. Since Calibre is clearly behaving differently when it sees a .azw as opposed to a .mobi.

05-15-2011, 05:06 AM	#1
Paulinafrica Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 36978 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Device: Kindle Android, Kindle 3 Wi-Fi	Preserving images from DRM'd mobi Hello Everybody, Yesterday I purchased a book from Amazon, but due to poor formatting on the part of the publisher I have had to remove the DRM - Oh, OK I would have done that anyway - convert to ePub, make the changes in Sigil and then re-convert back to mobi, all of this was done using Calibre & Sigil. My problem is that in its original .azw format there are images at the start of every chapter, but the paradox for me at the moment is that the very act of removing the DRM also removes the images for some unfathomable reason, has anyone come across this problem and has a solution? I'm trying to avoid using too many programs to achieve this, I'm quite comfortable with both Calibre & Sigil, although roll on the day when I can do the editing in mobi format using Sigil . Cheers Paul Last edited by Paulinafrica; 05-15-2011 at 05:41 AM.

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05-15-2011, 11:12 AM	#2
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,161 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Probably a Topaz book, and yes that would remove them. I'm sure there's a workaround, since I think those images get saved somewhere when you do the conversion. You probably should start in the Calibre forum, though the DRM question may cause issues. But it's ultimately the conversion from topaz to mobi that caused it. so ask there. Or at your Apprentice Alf's blog.

05-16-2011, 12:02 PM	#4
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I've seen some weird formatting issues because of svg images after removing drm, but I've never had images actually disappear. In the instances where I had problems, doing a mobi to mobi conversion (in calibre) usually fixed the formatting issues. Friends of Alf would probably be interested in the details if there's truly some sort of issue here.

05-16-2011, 12:08 PM	#5
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	I had the same problem with epub files made with http://web2fb2.net and converted to mobi with Calibre, not sure if it is related or not. It turned out to be caused by the image files, but I don't know why. I fixed it by converting them to greyscale, after that they showed up okay.

05-17-2011, 12:50 PM	#7
Paulinafrica Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 36978 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Device: Kindle Android, Kindle 3 Wi-Fi	Well I followed alanspace's advice, rather sceptically it has to be said, I changed the file extension from .azw to .mobi and to no surprise it wouldn't open in Kindle Previewer, I then imported it into Calibre - still with the .mobi extension - and after having been 'liberated' I opened the file again in Kindle Previewer and Hey Presto - nay - lo and behold the images are there! Now that really is bizarre to say the least, for my next trick I will convert it to ePub and try editing once again in Sigil, hopefully retaining the images, I will report back with my progress once I have done this. Although I cannot understand how a file extension will affect the conversion of the file. Yes, I'm sure you're right, it probably shouldn't be in the 'Kindle' section. Cheers Paul

05-17-2011, 01:40 PM	#8
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I'd be interested in the titles of some of these problematic Kindle books... especially free (or incredibly cheap) ones.

05-17-2011, 02:08 PM	#10
Paulinafrica Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 36978 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Device: Kindle Android, Kindle 3 Wi-Fi	Well I can report back that I converted to ePub - images still retained - edited the file to my liking in Sigil, re-converted back to mobi in Calibre, transferred to the Kindle via Calibre and now all is well, still can't get over that a simple change of the file extension had such an impact though, how bizarre. DiapDealer not incredibly cheap, but at £2.10 it's not too bad Sinema 2: Sympathy for the Devil by Rod Glenn Although it is a cracking good read. Cheers Paul

05-17-2011, 02:19 PM	#11
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Thanks guys!

05-18-2011, 12:54 AM	#14
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	I never understood the business sense of giving away very badly formatted kindle books. Amazon should patch them up or pull them off the shelves. otherwise potential Kindle readers may view a couple of freebies, think "load of C***p" , & don't buy any more Kindle books (as you conclude thats that's typical Kindle format quality)

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