epub to mobi/azw3 conversion tools?

[Isamilis]

Hi everyone,

I have PW3 and currently use Calibre to convert from epub format to mobi/azw3. I found that calibre's output sometimes the fonts and spacing is not as in original epub. I also tried Epubor and impressed with its output, which is very clean and fonts / space is much better than calibre. However, the resulting file is usually double size compared to calibre.

Is there any of you have experience other alternative converter that can made better output than calibre with similar size instead of double?

Thank you.

isa

[eschwartz]

There are only two converters available.

calibre, and Amazon's KindleGen.

...

Epubor is one of several scam sites, which use modified versions of calibre and try to charge you money for it. They will usually alo try to charge you for Apprentice Alf's DeDRM tools.

[jhowell]

There is a recent discussion of using kindlegen in this thread.

[JSWolf]

The thing is, KF8 (AZW3) has a line height minimum of 1.2em. So if the ePub has a smaller line height, the KF8 will have a larger line height. Also the Kindle has a fixed left/right margin so that can be different. These things happen no matter how you convert. Different fonts also make acdifference.

[Pyjam]

I've struggled a lot to obtain what I want. Finally, the best and easy way to get what you want is to edit the AZW3 file. Don't be affraid. It's very easy.

1. Edit the book, format AZW3
2. In the list of files on the left, you'll see a .css file, double clic to open it.
3. You'll see a list of styles with their attributes. Usually, the main style is:

.calibre {
...
font-size: 1em;
line-height: 1.20;
...
}

4. Adjust the font-size to what you want. If you put 1.10em, for example, all characters will be 10% bigger.

5. change line-height here and also everywhere in the file. This parameter fixes the minimal spacing. So if some part of the text uses multiple style (it's often the case, the biggest value will be use).

6. Then quit and save.

When reading the book with your Kindle, select the tightest spacing.

for example, I have:
font-size: 1.065em;
line-height: 1.45;

That way, I have 22 lines of text with the font Bookerly and the simple spacing between lines. Perfect for me.

[Isamilis]

Thanks. I am now trying Kindlegen. I am still unsure which one is better compared to Epubor.

About Epubor, I just knew they resell open source code (which is unethical), but TBH for me who don't have time to find good parameters to convert from ePub to MOBI/AZW, this tool is simplifying those things and produce good result. The problem is its file size is almost double.

Originally Posted by jhowell

There is a recent discussion of using kindlegen in this thread.

[TheFrenchGuy]

I use that online converter and always got good results.


http://ebook.online-convert.com/convert-to-mobi

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Isamilis

Thanks. I am now trying Kindlegen. I am still unsure which one is better compared to Epubor.

About Epubor, I just knew they resell open source code (which is unethical), but TBH for me who don't have time to find good parameters to convert from ePub to MOBI/AZW, this tool is simplifying those things and produce good result. The problem is its file size is almost double.

You misunderstand. Epubor is Calibre. Whatever it does, you can do yourself with Calibre.

[Isamilis]

I don't know, the engine underlying epubor. But, I do compare Calibre vs. epubor many times, and found the output is consistently different. Unfortunately I haven't had chance to customize parameter setting in Calibre.

Originally Posted by HarryT

You misunderstand. Epubor is Calibre. Whatever it does, you can do yourself with Calibre.

[shamanNS]

@Isamilis: Start with enabling "disable font size resizing" option in Calibre's Convert window (under Look& Feel > Fonts). Convert the same source file with Calibre, kindlegen and Epubor , then compare the results. With font resizing disabled Calibre's output mobi/azw3 should be almost the same as what you get with Kindlegen.

By default KindleGen creates "dual mobi" AND includes source file (epub) also , that is why you get doubled filesize at the end. There is "-dont_append_source" command line parameter/switch for KindleGen that instructs it to not includes the source files.

[rashkae]

I'll have to crate a macro for this, (some day.)

When converting E-book format to E-book format (epub to AZW3, or vice versa), here are some changes to Calibre defaults that will preserve more of the original formatting.
(Note: all of these can be made the default, if you do this often.)

In Look and Feel, check "Disable Font size Rescalling"
In Page Setup tab, change Output Profile to "Tablet"
In Structure Detection Tab: Change Chapter Mark to "None"
Change Insert Page Breaks Before to "/", (without the quotes.)
Heuristic Processing Tab, uncheck "Enable Heuristic Processing"

The one big caveat: some books specify their fontsizes with generic keywoards (small, medium, large.)... With font scaling disabled, Calibre will mistreat those badly, (changing them to fixed point sizes, very bad.)... you will usually know this if previewing the converted books and the font sizes have all become tiny. In that case, you will either have to enable font size re-scalling, or change those font sizes in the source epub manually.
In the case of enabling Font-size scaling, I prefer to use this font-size key,, It reduces the shrinkage of smaller text: Base font size "12 pt" Font Size Key: "10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 13.5, 17.0, 20.0, 22.0, 24.0"

[JSWolf]

If you want a tighter line height than the default you get with a Kindle, embed my new version of Charis SIL called ChareInk. It not only gives you a tighter line height, but it's weighted to look good on an eInk display.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18405

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Isamilis

Thanks. I am now trying Kindlegen. I am still unsure which one is better compared to Epubor.

About Epubor, I just knew they resell open source code (which is unethical), but TBH for me who don't have time to find good parameters to convert from ePub to MOBI/AZW, this tool is simplifying those things and produce good result. The problem is its file size is almost double.

Right... so basically http://xyproblem.info

You wanted to know how to create smaller conversions which use the conversion settings you want. But instead of asking how to do that, or asking what default settings Epubor uses in their illegal distribution of the calibre conversion code, you asked if anyone knows any other conversion tools.

Next time, try asking the right question and you will get the right answer.