Spare Cover Files Being Deleted

MartyTX · 08-11-2012, 10:42 PM

When I add a book, sometimes I don't like the cover so I'll Google to see if there is a cover I prefer. Until I make a final decision, I store the alternate cover (with an alternate name) in the same folder that has the original "cover.jpg".

I've just noticed a change in Calibre behavior. Don't know when it occurred, possibly with version 8.63 or 8.64:

If I Edit Metadata and change the book Title or Author for a book with a spare cover, the spare cover vanishes! It is gone from the book folder, not in the recycle bin, it is deleted ... gone ... cyberdust!

I could be having a "senior moment", but I'm 99% sure this is new behavior.
I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that the same thing occurs in their Calibre Library.

Thanks!

PeterT · 08-11-2012, 11:27 PM

Probably the issue is that since calibre does not know (in it's database) about any extra files being stored in the same directory as the book, when the book is moved to a new location (by changing Author or Title), the only material moved is that which calibre knows about...

JohnnyBook · 08-11-2012, 11:28 PM

I believe.... Calibre is not changing the author or title folder when you change the metadata.

Its creating a new folder and moving the files to the new folder.

The files it did not recognize (and therefore did not move) are still in the original folder where they started.

John Smith (folder)
First book (folder)
First book - John Smith.mobi
cover.jpg
Alt Cover.jpg
Alt2 Cover.jpg

Renamed to Johnny Smith

The book and cover will be moved to the new folders (Johnny Smith/First book)
But the Alt covers will still be in (John Smith/First book) EDIT: Nope the folder and Alt covers are deleted

Because Calibre does not see them in the original folder cause they are not in its database.

EDIT: Correction: looks like the original folder and the extra covers are being deleted after the book files in the database are moved to the new folder.

So if you want to keep the Alt covers until you decide on which to choose, you can NOT rename the author or title of the book.

MartyTX · 08-12-2012, 11:37 AM

Hi PeterT and JohnnyBook,

Thanks for the replies. I ran a few tests with Edit Metadata and you're right. The original folders along with all superfluous content like spare covers were deleted.

Apparently, I was just lucky in the past and did not change author/title before cover tweaking was completed. As usual, a case of operator error, not Calibre error.

Even on a clear day ... the memory can be a bit foggy.

Kudos to both of you ...

Marty

theducks · 08-12-2012, 12:06 PM

I add Alternate covers I want to keep to the book with Sigil.
I just place the Images after the main (the one that Calibre would fetch) cover, Then split the cover page between the original, renaming the new part altcvr.xhtml (relocate the position to taste).

Yes, this dose make the file a bit larger

travger · 08-12-2012, 01:33 PM

If I have only 1 alternate cover, I add it to Calibre and merge it to the book. If I've found more pictures and stuff to add, I make rar file and merge that.
Adding+merging informs Calibre about additional format (jpg, rar) and ensures that everything stays together. Sometimes I may add txt with notes (1.opens faster than rar, 2. adding it is simple drag'n'drop operation)
As an added bonus I don't have to bother with filenames - ppp.rar will be 'Isaac Asimov - Foundation' after merging.

When I at last want to edit some epub all I need is to search for jpg format and choose from the results.

pisceschick · 08-14-2012, 06:21 PM

I've been adding these spare covers that I want to hang onto as an additional format of the book. When the file browser window opens up, you can change from "Books" to "All Files" and then can add the image from there.

This has been mostly used when authors independently release their backlist titles with a new cover. Sometimes I want to keep the original cover for nostalgia sake, rather than replacing the cover in the book file.

08-11-2012, 10:42 PM	#1
MartyTX Dedicated Posts: 441 Karma: 11279376 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Amarillo, TX Device: iPad Mini 1 & 4, Nook ST, Dell 11-3000, iPhone 5s	Spare Cover Files Being Deleted - SOLVED When I add a book, sometimes I don't like the cover so I'll Google to see if there is a cover I prefer. Until I make a final decision, I store the alternate cover (with an alternate name) in the same folder that has the original "cover.jpg". I've just noticed a change in Calibre behavior. Don't know when it occurred, possibly with version 8.63 or 8.64: If I Edit Metadata and change the book Title or Author for a book with a spare cover, the spare cover vanishes! It is gone from the book folder, not in the recycle bin, it is deleted ... gone ... cyberdust! I could be having a "senior moment", but I'm 99% sure this is new behavior. I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that the same thing occurs in their Calibre Library. Thanks! Last edited by MartyTX; 08-12-2012 at 11:44 AM. Reason: SOLVED!

08-11-2012, 11:28 PM	#3
JohnnyBook Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 126824 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Out There Device: K3 W/3G (Fixed screen!) & Paperwhite Wifi	I believe.... Calibre is not changing the author or title folder when you change the metadata. Its creating a new folder and moving the files to the new folder. The files it did not recognize (and therefore did not move) are still in the original folder where they started. John Smith (folder) First book (folder) First book - John Smith.mobi cover.jpg Alt Cover.jpg Alt2 Cover.jpg Renamed to Johnny Smith The book and cover will be moved to the new folders (Johnny Smith/First book) But the Alt covers will still be in (John Smith/First book) EDIT: Nope the folder and Alt covers are deleted Because Calibre does not see them in the original folder cause they are not in its database. EDIT: Correction: looks like the original folder and the extra covers are being deleted after the book files in the database are moved to the new folder. So if you want to keep the Alt covers until you decide on which to choose, you can NOT rename the author or title of the book. Last edited by JohnnyBook; 08-12-2012 at 12:27 AM.

08-12-2012, 11:37 AM	#4
MartyTX Dedicated Posts: 441 Karma: 11279376 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Amarillo, TX Device: iPad Mini 1 & 4, Nook ST, Dell 11-3000, iPhone 5s	Thanks! SOLVED! Hi PeterT and JohnnyBook, Thanks for the replies. I ran a few tests with Edit Metadata and you're right. The original folders along with all superfluous content like spare covers were deleted. Apparently, I was just lucky in the past and did not change author/title before cover tweaking was completed. As usual, a case of operator error, not Calibre error. Even on a clear day ... the memory can be a bit foggy. Kudos to both of you ... Marty

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08-11-2012, 11:27 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,155 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	Probably the issue is that since calibre does not know (in it's database) about any extra files being stored in the same directory as the book, when the book is moved to a new location (by changing Author or Title), the only material moved is that which calibre knows about...

08-12-2012, 12:06 PM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,775 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I add Alternate covers I want to keep to the book with Sigil. I just place the Images after the main (the one that Calibre would fetch) cover, Then split the cover page between the original, renaming the new part altcvr.xhtml (relocate the position to taste). Yes, this dose make the file a bit larger

08-12-2012, 01:33 PM	#6
travger Evangelist Posts: 480 Karma: 270594 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: palm tx, Windows7, Galaxy A5	If I have only 1 alternate cover, I add it to Calibre and merge it to the book. If I've found more pictures and stuff to add, I make rar file and merge that. Adding+merging informs Calibre about additional format (jpg, rar) and ensures that everything stays together. Sometimes I may add txt with notes (1.opens faster than rar, 2. adding it is simple drag'n'drop operation) As an added bonus I don't have to bother with filenames - ppp.rar will be 'Isaac Asimov - Foundation' after merging. When I at last want to edit some epub all I need is to search for jpg format and choose from the results.

08-14-2012, 06:21 PM	#7
pisceschick Addict Posts: 259 Karma: 1025706 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Classic Nook, Kindle Keyboard, Nexus 7	I've been adding these spare covers that I want to hang onto as an additional format of the book. When the file browser window opens up, you can change from "Books" to "All Files" and then can add the image from there. This has been mostly used when authors independently release their backlist titles with a new cover. Sometimes I want to keep the original cover for nostalgia sake, rather than replacing the cover in the book file.

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