Greetings and a question

Abichuela · 10-18-2011, 10:39 PM

I'm a total beginner at file conversion. So when I found this forum last night, trying to get an answer, I was glad.

I took a few ideas from one thread about PDF pages vs Kindle pages and used it to convert one file from Word to .mobi.

I changed the font to Adobe Caslon Pro size 12. At the end of every two paragraphs (short paragraphs), I inserted a page break. Then I changed the page layout to horizontal. Then I resized the page to 6" x 9". After that, I saved it as "web page, filtered". Since I have Adobe software, I immediately converted it to PDF right from Word, after which I used the CNET PDF to .Mobi converter trial that I downloaded a few weeks ago.

I emailed the file to myself and it, shockingly, opened up looking beautiful in my Kindle for PC.

However...here are my questions:

1. When I attempted to open the same file using my iPad, hoping it would open up in my Kindle for iPad app, it stubbornly refused right there in the email: "Mail cannot open"

What's up with that?

2. When I converted my same file to .epub using the same converter from CNET, and then opened in iBooks, it was one giant paragraph all smooshed together.

So what Word layout and format is better for .epub conversions?

ImogenRose · 10-19-2011, 02:01 AM

Welcome to MR!

Imogen

MickeyC · 10-19-2011, 06:54 PM

Hi Abichuela and welcome to MobileRead

Toxaris · 10-20-2011, 02:00 AM

Most converters available are a load of .... Most will not render things as you want. It is no problem creating a good ePUB from Word, I do it all the time. However, you must consider that Word is not really good in creating HTML. It makes a mess of it. Saving it as filtered HMTL makes it workable, although you still have to clean it up.
When it comes to ePUB, I would advice to make sure that you have at least some basic knowledge about XHTML and CSS, since those are the building blocks.
For creating ePUB from the building blocks, I would strongly advise Sigil. If you really want to use a converter, try Calibre. It does a reasonably job, although I think the coding of the resulting ePUB is not optimal and needs retouching.

I almost forgot. PDF is a crappy format to convert from, since it is usually not reflowable. If it is reflowable, you might get good results. In general try to stay away from PDF as intermediate format for ebooks.

Abichuela · 10-25-2011, 09:25 PM

Alright, this helps a lot. I'll look into Calibre.

st_albert · 10-25-2011, 10:25 PM

and remember, while Calibre does a better-than-average job of converting PDF -> whatever, keep in mind Toxaris' advise, and use just about ANY other format as a starting format for conversion. eg word -> rtf -> [calibre] -> epub or mobi or whatever.

Just sayin'

10-18-2011, 10:39 PM	#1
Abichuela Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	Greetings and a question I'm a total beginner at file conversion. So when I found this forum last night, trying to get an answer, I was glad. I took a few ideas from one thread about PDF pages vs Kindle pages and used it to convert one file from Word to .mobi. I changed the font to Adobe Caslon Pro size 12. At the end of every two paragraphs (short paragraphs), I inserted a page break. Then I changed the page layout to horizontal. Then I resized the page to 6" x 9". After that, I saved it as "web page, filtered". Since I have Adobe software, I immediately converted it to PDF right from Word, after which I used the CNET PDF to .Mobi converter trial that I downloaded a few weeks ago. I emailed the file to myself and it, shockingly, opened up looking beautiful in my Kindle for PC. However...here are my questions: 1. When I attempted to open the same file using my iPad, hoping it would open up in my Kindle for iPad app, it stubbornly refused right there in the email: "Mail cannot open" What's up with that? 2. When I converted my same file to .epub using the same converter from CNET, and then opened in iBooks, it was one giant paragraph all smooshed together. So what Word layout and format is better for .epub conversions?

10-25-2011, 09:25 PM	#5
Abichuela Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	thanks Alright, this helps a lot. I'll look into Calibre.

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10-19-2011, 02:01 AM	#2
ImogenRose PORTAL Posts: 7,204 Karma: 2884640 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle 1, Kindle 3 (3G), iPhone	Welcome to MR! Imogen

10-19-2011, 06:54 PM	#3
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi Abichuela and welcome to MobileRead

10-20-2011, 02:00 AM	#4
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	Most converters available are a load of .... Most will not render things as you want. It is no problem creating a good ePUB from Word, I do it all the time. However, you must consider that Word is not really good in creating HTML. It makes a mess of it. Saving it as filtered HMTL makes it workable, although you still have to clean it up. When it comes to ePUB, I would advice to make sure that you have at least some basic knowledge about XHTML and CSS, since those are the building blocks. For creating ePUB from the building blocks, I would strongly advise Sigil. If you really want to use a converter, try Calibre. It does a reasonably job, although I think the coding of the resulting ePUB is not optimal and needs retouching. I almost forgot. PDF is a crappy format to convert from, since it is usually not reflowable. If it is reflowable, you might get good results. In general try to stay away from PDF as intermediate format for ebooks.

10-25-2011, 10:25 PM	#6
st_albert Guru Posts: 697 Karma: 150000 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	and remember, while Calibre does a better-than-average job of converting PDF -> whatever, keep in mind Toxaris' advise, and use just about ANY other format as a starting format for conversion. eg word -> rtf -> [calibre] -> epub or mobi or whatever. Just sayin'

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