Epub errors with invisible Mac files

Schlutek · 07-20-2011, 01:22 PM

I am trying to validate my epub files and am receiving the following warnings:

WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._DC_G1240_29_fmt.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file
WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._DM_Icon_fmt1.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file
WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._F3497_Eimg_Portraits_fmt4.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file

[This is the same warning I get for about 80 different files in a single book]

I now know that the files not declared are invisible (ghost) files. But what is creating these files? And how do I avoid?
The files were created on my Mac by exporting from InDesign 5.5, unzipped using ePub UnZip 1.0.app script, edited with Dreamweaver, and then zipped with ePub Zip 1.0.3.app script. I've read mention of the unzip/zip script not removing files when re-unzip/zip'ing the files - might that be the issue?

Also, I've figured out how to view the invisible files on my Mac through the Finder. Do any of the invisible files I find need to be kept? Or do I need to go through, one by one, each of my warning errors and delete that way?

Much appreciation to any advice!

Hellmark · 07-20-2011, 01:39 PM

Check the html. If they're not mentioned in the opf, but are in the HTML, then yes you need them and you need to add them to the opf. If they're not mentioned by either, then you do not need them.

WillAdams · 07-20-2011, 01:43 PM

The invisible files are used by the Finder to store metadata on filesystems for which the Mac OS is unable to store resources for. They can be deleted --- all you'll lose will be a custom icon, labeling, &c. which is Mac-specific.

Schlutek · 07-20-2011, 02:24 PM

Thank you both. I've deleted the invisible files and the epubcheck warnings are gone.

However, I am still curious what is creating these files and how I can avoid them. Does the unzip/zip script create these invisible files? Or is this "just a mac thing" and something that I will need to clean up each time?

amward · 07-20-2011, 06:55 PM

I get two files on my ereader when I put a book on from my mac, one is the book, the other who knows, is this what you mean? I can't find them on the mac, so I just delete them using my husband's PC. Works for me but not an option if you don't have access to a PC.

elcreative · 07-20-2011, 07:45 PM

Could always try Hidden Cleaner 2... I have it in the Dock and instead of ejecting the reader/memory cards as normal just drag and drop onto the app icon... it removes all Mac invisible files and then ejects/dismounts the removable device/drive... just don't drop your Startup Disk on it or try it on a folder - bad idea - did it once and ended up reformatting a hard disk... it's for memory crds/USB memory sticks and device memory drives.

Schlutek · 07-21-2011, 04:50 PM

To view invisible files on a mac, I found these instructions:
http://kb.iu.edu/data/ajyj.html

I then deleted the invisible files from the epub folder. No more undeclared warnings

07-20-2011, 01:22 PM	#1
Schlutek Member Posts: 17 Karma: 112 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: iPad, nook color, Kindle	Epub errors with invisible Mac files I am trying to validate my epub files and am receiving the following warnings: WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._DC_G1240_29_fmt.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._DM_Icon_fmt1.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file WARNING: /Volumes/IGS/BookProduction/eBook/NOLA/DC_F3497_Meet_Ebk/F3497_MeetC.epub: item (OEBPS/images/._F3497_Eimg_Portraits_fmt4.jpeg) exists in the zip file, but is not declared in the OPF file [This is the same warning I get for about 80 different files in a single book] I now know that the files not declared are invisible (ghost) files. But what is creating these files? And how do I avoid? The files were created on my Mac by exporting from InDesign 5.5, unzipped using ePub UnZip 1.0.app script, edited with Dreamweaver, and then zipped with ePub Zip 1.0.3.app script. I've read mention of the unzip/zip script not removing files when re-unzip/zip'ing the files - might that be the issue? Also, I've figured out how to view the invisible files on my Mac through the Finder. Do any of the invisible files I find need to be kept? Or do I need to go through, one by one, each of my warning errors and delete that way? Much appreciation to any advice!

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07-20-2011, 01:39 PM	#2
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	Check the html. If they're not mentioned in the opf, but are in the HTML, then yes you need them and you need to add them to the opf. If they're not mentioned by either, then you do not need them.

07-20-2011, 01:43 PM	#3
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	The invisible files are used by the Finder to store metadata on filesystems for which the Mac OS is unable to store resources for. They can be deleted --- all you'll lose will be a custom icon, labeling, &c. which is Mac-specific.

07-20-2011, 02:24 PM	#4
Schlutek Member Posts: 17 Karma: 112 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: iPad, nook color, Kindle	Thank you both. I've deleted the invisible files and the epubcheck warnings are gone. However, I am still curious what is creating these files and how I can avoid them. Does the unzip/zip script create these invisible files? Or is this "just a mac thing" and something that I will need to clean up each time?

07-20-2011, 06:55 PM	#5
amward Wizard Posts: 1,299 Karma: 2081110 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SW Australia Device: Eco Eclipse, Sony PRS 350 (pink), Ipod Touch, Kindle Touch	I get two files on my ereader when I put a book on from my mac, one is the book, the other who knows, is this what you mean? I can't find them on the mac, so I just delete them using my husband's PC. Works for me but not an option if you don't have access to a PC.

07-20-2011, 07:45 PM	#6
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Could always try Hidden Cleaner 2... I have it in the Dock and instead of ejecting the reader/memory cards as normal just drag and drop onto the app icon... it removes all Mac invisible files and then ejects/dismounts the removable device/drive... just don't drop your Startup Disk on it or try it on a folder - bad idea - did it once and ended up reformatting a hard disk... it's for memory crds/USB memory sticks and device memory drives.

07-21-2011, 04:50 PM	#7
Schlutek Member Posts: 17 Karma: 112 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: iPad, nook color, Kindle	To view invisible files on a mac, I found these instructions: http://kb.iu.edu/data/ajyj.html I then deleted the invisible files from the epub folder. No more undeclared warnings

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