Looking for tips for using calibre with annotated PDFs

[moriatenori]

Hello,

I have my collection of ebooks (mostly epubs) in Calibre but also an extensive collection of PDFs that I would like to add to my Calibre library. I do a lot of annotations on the PDFs with my ebook reader and I like to keep the original files untouched. I simply rename the file after reading it and then send it back to my PC via my cloud drive app. It's pretty straightforward, but I would prefer to have my PDFs catalogued in Calibre, among other things, to avoid buying books twice.

I have read a couple of threads (here and here) with tips on how to import annotated pdfs back to Calibre, but they both sound time consuming.

In the absence of an automated solution, perhaps other users have better ways of handling this process and would like to share them?

Thanks!

[BetterRed]

Add the annotated version to the existing book as <whatever>.ANNOT-PDF and tell your OS to open .ANNOT_PDFs with your PDF Viewer.

Or, keep the original and annotated versions in a separate libraries and use the The calibre:// URL scheme to link the books in the Originals library to the same book in the Annotated library (and perhaps vice versa).

I use the latter because I sometimes have multiple versions - annotated, translated, illustrated.

The calibre:// URL Scheme is a recently added enhancement.

BR

[moriatenori]

Thanks for your answer!

The option of having separated libraries for the originals and the annotated PDFs sounds good, however, I'm not sure how to use the calibre:// URL Scheme to link them, Calibre's manual isn't explicit on this point.

[BetterRed]

There is no proscriptive way to how and where one might use the links. But…

Create 2 libraries, Annotated and Originals

In the Annotated library add a column called original/Original Book.



In the Original library add a column called annotated/Annotated Book.



Add a book to Originals and copy its show Book link to clipboard



Copy the book to the Annotated library



Go to Annotated library and put the link in the Original Column




Now you might want to copy the link to the Annotated PDF, flick back to the Original by clicking the Original link in Book details and put the PDF link into that into its Annotations column

I've requested your PM be enabled so I can send you a PM with a link to the two libraries

BR

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

. . .
I've requested your PM be enabled so I can send you a PM with a link to the two libraries

Done

BR

[moriatenori]

Fantastic, thank you so much for this detailed explanation, very helpful!

[moriatenori]

I have another question. Now that I keep the original and the annotated documents in different libraries, how can I tell Calibre companion to replace the file in the annotated library of my PC with the PDF file that I have annotated on my reader?

[BetterRed]

I don't use Calibre Companion, but I don't think it can write a format file back to a calibre library.

[moriatenori]

And how about connecting Calibre to the reader via usb?

[BetterRed]

I would use a file manager (e.g. Windows Explorer) to copy the annotated PDF from my phone/tablet to my desktop, and then replace the existing PDF by DnD it into relevant book details panel, or via the Add books->Add files to selected record from clipboard … option. Calibre will pop message to confirm you want to replace the existing PDF.

That's how I handle audio/video clips that I edit on my 'media editing workbench'.

BR

[moriatenori]

Hi, after a year using the solution suggested by BetterRed, I recently figured out a simpler way of keeping a copy of the original pdf alongside with the annotated version. I simply change the name of the original file on windows explorer (adding a mark to indicate that it is the original) and copy into the same folder the annotated pdf from my reader with the filename that Calibre recognizes as the document. When I open the file from Calibre, I get the annotated version, and if I want to get back to the original, I simply have to open the folder via Calibre. No need to have a duplicate library of originals, which I ended up finding a little bit cumbersome, even if it is a "cleaner" solution.
However, I noticed that when updating the metadata of a book, Calibre also modifies the filename, and also deletes any backup files within the folder. Is there a way to stop Calibre doing this? Otherwise my method becomes too risky...-
Of course, any other ideas on how to keep a copy the original pdf in the simplest possible way will be welcome!

[ownedbycats]

Yeah, no, that's intended. Treat the Calibre library as a blackbox.

Personally, I'd just change the file extensions of the non-annotated version to .origpdf, then use Windows Open With to assign that to your PDF viewer. Assuming it isn't a badly-programmed one that checks the extension instead of the header, it should open. Then you'll be able to add it as a separate file.

[moriatenori]

I just tried, but Calibre will still delete the .origpdf file when updating the metadata. So another solution would be to keep a separate backup folder with all the non-annotated pdfs, and look manually for them if needed.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by moriatenori

I just tried, but Calibre will still delete the .origpdf file when updating the metadata. So another solution would be to keep a separate backup folder with all the non-annotated pdfs, and look manually for them if needed.

You missed my last sentence: Add it to the book record and it won't delete.

[moriatenori]

Sorry, I missed the last point. Yes, it works, thanks!