epub to azw3 conversion formatting issues

[topquark]

I just checked my above conversions on my actual Kindle Keyboard and the dropcaps are perfect with the medium line spacing setting. I guess there is no way to get a smaller-sized dropcap in the same ebook. If there is a way to accomplish this, please do let me know.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by topquark

I just checked my above conversions on my actual Kindle Keyboard and the dropcaps are perfect with the medium line spacing setting. I guess there is no way to get a smaller-sized dropcap in the same ebook. If there is a way to accomplish this, please do let me know.

I think you should be able to use calibre's standard Tweak Book feature to do any fine tuning on your smaller dropcap. This will explode the azw3 so you can manually edit the css file, then rebuild it again. As long as you don't convert it again the manual tweaks will stay put.

[topquark]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I think you should be able to use calibre's standard Tweak Book feature to do any fine tuning on your smaller dropcap. This will explode the azw3 so you can manually edit the css file, then rebuild it again. As long as you don't convert it again the manual tweaks will stay put.

All right. I'll try that!

[topquark]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I think you should be able to use calibre's standard Tweak Book feature to do any fine tuning on your smaller dropcap. This will explode the azw3 so you can manually edit the css file, then rebuild it again. As long as you don't convert it again the manual tweaks will stay put.

Just FYI, this worked PERFECTLY! THANK YOU!!!

For the others, just make sure that when you explode the azw3 file in calibre and tweak it, that you use em values for the font-size of the second dropcap.

Here are some dropcap formulas for various sizes of fonts. These should work all right as long as you indicate in the eighth value of the font size key the same value as the font-size, in px.

span.dropcaps {
float: left;
font-size: 80px;
line-height: 0; -->> okay lang lagyan ng value, like 70px
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top:-.375em;
margin-bottom: -.5em;
margin-right:1.35px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.drop {
float: left;
font-size:3em;
margin-top: -.3em;
margin-bottom: -.5em;
margin-right: .05em;
}

span.dropcaps ((((dropcap a bit high but all right)))
{
float: left;
font-size: 100px;
line-height: 80px;
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top: -0.5em;
margin-bottom: -.5em
}

span.dropcaps (((dropcaps just right)))
{
float: left;
font-size: 100px;
line-height: 80px;
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top: -0.475em;
margin-bottom: -.525em
}

span.dropcaps {
float: left;
font-size: 70px;
line-height: 70px;
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top: -.415em;
margin-bottom: -.475em
}

for one-line dropcaps, this one worked for me:
.dropcaps1 {
font-size: 2.5em;
float: left;
margin-bottom: -0.50em;
margin-top: -0.725em
}

to everyone who helped.

[topquark]

I guess I'm a total dunce because of that last one about the one-line dropcap. I should just have gone with a raised initial and used a span class code.

[topquark]

Which brings me to another issue not exactly azw3-related. Why do lines with raised initials have large line spacing? Is there a workaround to that?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by topquark

Which brings me to another issue not exactly azw3-related. Why do lines with raised initials have large line spacing? Is there a workaround to that?

Because the line height required by the bigger font prevails for the rest of the block:
You may need to edit the CSS style for the normal part and add: line-height: 1.2; to force it back down

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

Because the line height required by the bigger font prevails for the rest of the block:
You may need to edit the CSS style for the normal part and add: line-height: 1.2; to force it back down

Not in KF8 (eInk Kindles). It doesn't respect line-height of that small. You have to make it a drop cap or a regular letter.

[randomzombie]

Originally Posted by topquark

@hermil, I think it is inherent to the AZW3 format. I think it's a take-it-or-leave-it kind of deal with AZW3. Me, I'll take it rather than going back to mobi, for purely aesthetic reasons.

I have this same problem. But I like the tightness of the minimal spacing of the MOBI file compared to the AZW3 that I usually just reconvert to MOBI. Alas!

[randomzombie]

Wanted to add. JSWolf, I really like your Compact SIL update! Perfect for night reading. Now, I kinda feel like an ungrateful jerk, but how hard would it be to slightly modify it removing a tiny bit of weight for a daytime version? The PW I settled on has good contrast, so it's almost a little too chunky-bold for daytime reading. Would I be able to do it myself? Are there any freeware font editing programs out there?

But yes, great font! My fave update so far...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by randomzombie

Wanted to add. JSWolf, I really like your Compact SIL update! Perfect for night reading. Now, I kinda feel like an ungrateful jerk, but how hard would it be to slightly modify it removing a tiny bit of weight for a daytime version? The PW I settled on has good contrast, so it's almost a little too chunky-bold for daytime reading. Would I be able to do it myself? Are there any freeware font editing programs out there?

But yes, great font! My fave update so far...

Sure, I can remake the compact with a little less weight for you. That's not a problem. There doesn't seem to be a free solution that I've found to do it all.

PM me please and remind me. Then I'll PM you the link back when I have it done.

[randomzombie]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sure, I can remake the compact with a little less weight for you. That's not a problem. There doesn't seem to be a free solution that I've found to do it all.

PM me please and remind me. Then I'll PM you the link back when I have it done.

Cool! That'd be great!!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by randomzombie

Cool! That'd be great!!

Before I do it fully, I'll take the regular version and make it with just a little more weight so you can try it and if you like it, I can make it into a compact version.

[randomzombie]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Before I do it fully, I'll take the regular version and make it with just a little more weight so you can try it and if you like it, I can make it into a compact version.

Okay, sounds good, thanks!