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LGN · 04-25-2013, 06:32 AM

The problem with ePUB3 is indeed that to few reader software support it and that it's not merely an addition to ePUB2 but also mess with basically changing content.opf into package.opf. ePUB3 can have the toc.ocx to allow for backward compatibility to ePUB2 and ePUB3 readers support ePUB2 as well.

And at this point we are at a junction where eInk support ePUB2 and tablets support ePUB2 and ePUB3. I assume 99% of the eBooks will keep using ePUB2, but I am worried about eBook producers using parts of the ePUB3 spec to make their eBooks prettier..

I hope that books keep fully compatible to ePUB2 for 'normal' eBooks. Only when they specifically need the advanced functions of ePUB3.

Currently I have a half-arsed ePUB2 to ePUB3 conversion working. It's made with a batch file plus Swiss File Knife. I have it that it can convert a very basic ePUB2 to ePUB3. At this moment I only have a few errors in the epubcheck 3 validator left. I dont have audio or video yet as I wanted to be able to convert a simple ePUB first.

So Sigil misses an option in "Possibile Solutions"; Support EPUB 3 Features in EPUB 2 and have an option "Export as..." which will save the ePUB2 with ePUB3 functions and then call a converter which will convert the ePUB. It would still be limited I guess and can have many pitfalls due to the different ePUBs. But if Sigil does support ePUB3 features in ePUB2, it might be a solution thinking about.

Even if Sigil only supports specific things of the ePUB3 spec, it's nice to play around with but as long as it won't validate under ePUB2 nor ePUB3 it's use is perhaps fairly limited.

04-25-2013, 06:32 AM	#9
LGN Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 60 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: ProMedia eReader, Sony PRS-600	The problem with ePUB3 is indeed that to few reader software support it and that it's not merely an addition to ePUB2 but also mess with basically changing content.opf into package.opf. ePUB3 can have the toc.ocx to allow for backward compatibility to ePUB2 and ePUB3 readers support ePUB2 as well. And at this point we are at a junction where eInk support ePUB2 and tablets support ePUB2 and ePUB3. I assume 99% of the eBooks will keep using ePUB2, but I am worried about eBook producers using parts of the ePUB3 spec to make their eBooks prettier.. I hope that books keep fully compatible to ePUB2 for 'normal' eBooks. Only when they specifically need the advanced functions of ePUB3. Currently I have a half-arsed ePUB2 to ePUB3 conversion working. It's made with a batch file plus Swiss File Knife. I have it that it can convert a very basic ePUB2 to ePUB3. At this moment I only have a few errors in the epubcheck 3 validator left. I dont have audio or video yet as I wanted to be able to convert a simple ePUB first. So Sigil misses an option in "Possibile Solutions"; Support EPUB 3 Features in EPUB 2 and have an option "Export as..." which will save the ePUB2 with ePUB3 functions and then call a converter which will convert the ePUB. It would still be limited I guess and can have many pitfalls due to the different ePUBs. But if Sigil does support ePUB3 features in ePUB2, it might be a solution thinking about. Even if Sigil only supports specific things of the ePUB3 spec, it's nice to play around with but as long as it won't validate under ePUB2 nor ePUB3 it's use is perhaps fairly limited.