Best source formats to convert to epub?

BrentB · 03-04-2010, 08:28 AM

I think I saw a list of the best formats to convert to epub in order of best to worst somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it with the search. Could someone post a short list? I've got a couple files in a few different formats (PDF, TXT, LIT, LRF, & RTF) and was wondering which would convert to epub the best.

ATimson · 03-04-2010, 08:30 AM

Of those, probably LIT. PDF and TXT will convert terribly. RTF would probably work, but you wouldn't have a cover image, or table of contents... And I don't know enough about the LRF spec to offer a judgment on it.

DoctorOhh · 03-04-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentB

I think I saw a list of the best formats to convert to epub in order of best to worst somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it with the search. Could someone post a short list? I've got a couple files in a few different formats (PDF, TXT, LIT, LRF, & RTF) and was wondering which would convert to epub the best.

From Calibre's FAQ.

Quote:

What are the best source formats to convert?

In order of decreasing preference: LIT, MOBI, EPUB, HTML, PRC, RTF, PDB, TXT, PDF

>>>>>>>>>>>>==========<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATimson

Of those, probably LIT. PDF and TXT will convert terribly. RTF would probably work, but you wouldn't have a cover image, or table of contents... And I don't know enough about the LRF spec to offer a judgment on it.

My format of choice has been to convert from Lit, usually with great success 99% of the time. Only lit files that were converted to lit from txt or pdf are bad. Lit files created as lit files from the bottom up are great. A badly formatted lit file (like any other) can be seen prior to conversion and should just be avoided. Garbage in, garbage out.

If you add a cover image before you convert to epub even a converted rtf file will have a cover when it changes to epub.

DoctorOhh · 03-04-2010, 08:43 AM

delete

banjomike · 03-05-2010, 06:36 AM

Don't forget formats like ODT. If you are starting with an RTF or TXT or such then importing that into openoffice and saving as an ODT will let you do some fancy formatting on chapter headings and so on that might not be in the RTF.

DoctorOhh · 03-05-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATimson

Of those, probably LIT. PDF and TXT will convert terribly. RTF would probably work, but you wouldn't have a cover image, or table of contents... And I don't know enough about the LRF spec to offer a judgment on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjomike

Don't forget formats like ODT. If you are starting with an RTF or TXT or such then importing that into openoffice and saving as an ODT will let you do some fancy formatting on chapter headings and so on that might not be in the RTF.

Good point if you have to start with rtf or text. Here is an old thread that talked about using ODT macros to setup text conversions to PDF.

ShellShock · 03-05-2010, 12:33 PM

I agree about using LIT and avoiding LRF. LRF is not based on HTML.

robkat · 03-05-2010, 12:47 PM

I use Calibre to convert from LRF to Epub with no problems at all.

rmm200 · 03-05-2010, 01:12 PM

Not on your list, but html or xhtml will convert best, since EPub is just a wrapper around xhtml and css. Any process that converts what you have to xhtml - and looks good - will work well.

Another note - I downloaded a really awful looking EPub from Guttenberg. I downloaded the zip version, extracted the xhtml, and used Calibre to convert it back to EPub. The graphics came back (missing in the original EPub), and the result was outstanding. This was the very good book on knot tying, which was useless without the woodcuts.

Robert

ATimson · 03-05-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmm200

Not on your list, but html or xhtml will convert best, since EPub is just a wrapper around xhtml and css. Any process that converts what you have to xhtml - and looks good - will work well.

LIT is also just a wrapper around (X?)HTML and CSS. And as a bonus it already has an OPF file to yoink metadata and TOC from.

Starson17 · 03-05-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmm200

This was the very good book on knot tying, which was useless without the woodcuts.

Can you post it or give me a link? I had a request for a book on knots just the other day!

greenapple · 03-05-2010, 10:04 PM

LIT is the best in my experience, and PDF is the worst.
I have trouble importing some RTF and HTML for conversion. Calibre would just freeze during "adding" stage. Other than that, Calibre is a godsend.

Xanthe · 03-05-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmm200

Not on your list, but html or xhtml will convert best, since EPub is just a wrapper around xhtml and css. Any process that converts what you have to xhtml - and looks good - will work well.

Another note - I downloaded a really awful looking EPub from Guttenberg. I downloaded the zip version, extracted the xhtml, and used Calibre to convert it back to EPub. The graphics came back (missing in the original EPub), and the result was outstanding. This was the very good book on knot tying, which was useless without the woodcuts.

Robert

LOL! I downloaded that book too, though I haven't had time to play around with it to see if it even worked or not.

03-04-2010, 08:28 AM	#1
BrentB Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 30012 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	Best source formats to convert to epub? I think I saw a list of the best formats to convert to epub in order of best to worst somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it with the search. Could someone post a short list? I've got a couple files in a few different formats (PDF, TXT, LIT, LRF, & RTF) and was wondering which would convert to epub the best.

03-05-2010, 01:12 PM	#9
rmm200 Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 414 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bend, OR Device: Sony PRS-600	Not on your list, but html or xhtml will convert best, since EPub is just a wrapper around xhtml and css. Any process that converts what you have to xhtml - and looks good - will work well. Another note - I downloaded a really awful looking EPub from Guttenberg. I downloaded the zip version, extracted the xhtml, and used Calibre to convert it back to EPub. The graphics came back (missing in the original EPub), and the result was outstanding. This was the very good book on knot tying, which was useless without the woodcuts. Robert Last edited by rmm200; 03-05-2010 at 01:18 PM. Reason: Add book note

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03-04-2010, 08:30 AM	#2
ATimson Evangelist Posts: 456 Karma: 1044878 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4	Of those, probably LIT. PDF and TXT will convert terribly. RTF would probably work, but you wouldn't have a cover image, or table of contents... And I don't know enough about the LRF spec to offer a judgment on it.

03-04-2010, 08:43 AM	#4
DoctorOhh US Navy, Retired Posts: 9,864 Karma: 13806776 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Carolina Device: Icarus Illumina XL HD, Nexus 7	delete

03-05-2010, 06:36 AM	#5
banjomike Addict Posts: 319 Karma: 397404 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Device: PRS-505,DSlibris,nook Glow & Simple & HD+,Tab S2,Moon+,Kobo Clara	Don't forget formats like ODT. If you are starting with an RTF or TXT or such then importing that into openoffice and saving as an ODT will let you do some fancy formatting on chapter headings and so on that might not be in the RTF.

03-05-2010, 12:33 PM	#7
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,176 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	I agree about using LIT and avoiding LRF. LRF is not based on HTML.

03-05-2010, 12:47 PM	#8
robkat Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 38 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scotland Device: Sony PRS 300	I use Calibre to convert from LRF to Epub with no problems at all.

03-05-2010, 10:04 PM	#12
greenapple Evangelist Posts: 404 Karma: 664 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle DX, Kobo Aura HD	LIT is the best in my experience, and PDF is the worst. I have trouble importing some RTF and HTML for conversion. Calibre would just freeze during "adding" stage. Other than that, Calibre is a godsend.

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