Quote:
Originally Posted by foosion
One could post a general approach, such as
Run check, do auto cleanup and anything obvious
Remove unused CSS
Fix HTML
Go through file browser, hitting at least each file type (title page, copyright, chapter, etc.).
If you don't like appearance, figure out what's causing it and change. Have a set of rules, such as non-massive headings (1.4em), less empty space above and below headings and sections (margin: 0.5em 0), left justify, no dropcap or the like, 1.4em indent, 0 left right margins.
Eliminate unwanted files (more praise for). Possibly move intro to end. Edit TOC to conform.
Repeat run check, remove, fix. This time through put more effort into fixing errors.
Focus on nice book appearance rather than clean code. Some of this could probably be scripted.
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My process is something like this...
I run Modify ePub until it says there is nothing left to modify. That's 1-3 runs before the next run says nothing needs to be modified.
I check the cover and if the cover is correct and hi-res, it's good to go otherwise, I'll try to download a good hi-res cover from Amazon, Google, Apple, or Kobo. I'll copy the cover and once I open the book in the editor, I'll replace the cover and size it for my screen. I'll check other graphics and see if they need resizing. Once done, I'll give the graphics a lossless recompress of 70.
I edit the OPF to remove any crud and the description unless that is correct meaning no advert junk and it's complete.
Then I'll go though the HTML files and delete the ones I don't want such as list of other books, review blurbs, previews, adverts, etc.
I'll then link the stylesheet to all the HTML files so it's there and correct. If there are any fonts, I'll delete the ones I don't want. If any of them are sans-serif, I'll change the font families to sans-serif. The others can go.
Then I'll remove unused classes and add in my classes that I use. There's not many of them so it's not a problem. I will delete the ones that are duplicate (the original ones in the CSS) and I'll edit any of mine if need be based on the original class.
Then I use diaps editing toolbag to drop the <p class="some repetitive paragraph style"> to just <p> as that will then use my style. I'll also clean up any unused <span> and <div>. I'll also use the tolbag to remove any divs I don't want as in vellum code.
I'll change the titles to <h2> so that again uses my style.
I'll then search for class=" so I see what classes are where. I make any changes needed. I do change the smaller text so it's all 1em unless it's supposed to be larger.
I'll also change any section breaks to what I prefer. When done, I also change em-dash to have no space before or after. I'll also change en-dash to an em-dash. I'll also change an ellipse to have no space before or after. If it's three periods with or without space, I'll change them to an ellipse character.
When I am done, I will run the calibre error checker. Any unused graphics I will delete. Any errors I will fix except for font names as that's not an error.
I'll then run epubcheck and when that comes up with no errors, I'm done.
This sounds like a lot more work then it really is.