Deeply bothered by Calibre (lack of) conversion

obieephyhm · 01-03-2018, 07:05 PM

I find Calibre to be extraordinarily frustrating because it is absolutely counter-intuitive to standard pc type utility operations. Case in point, I cannot get anything to convert from Epub to Mobi so I can read it on my kindle. I queue up job after job and everything I read says it ran fine but there isn't a single file produced (that I can find) so I keep trying different ways of finding files, marking them for conversion and attempting to convert them -- all to no avail. Is there any REALLY GOOD utility that does this besides the claim that calibre does it (when it doesn't actually seem to)? I just want to read my damn books without days and days of trying things that don't work.

davidfor · 01-03-2018, 07:20 PM

I've never had calibre not convert a file unless it also reported an error. But, assuming you are using the calibre GUI, when the conversion is finished, the MOBI should be in the same location as the ePub. If you click on the book in the interface, and look in the book details pane, it will show the list of formats for the book. MOBI should be added to that list after the conversion.

As to other tools, no idea. Calibre has always works for my conversion needs, so I've really never look.

FizzyWater · 01-03-2018, 07:33 PM

Any reason you're not trying to convert ePub to AZW3, instead of MOBI? I believe it's a simpler conversion for Calibre, for one thing.

retiredbiker · 01-03-2018, 07:56 PM

This may be a silly question, but do you have the "formats" column visible on the main screen?

obieephyhm · 01-03-2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

I've never had calibre not convert a file unless it also reported an error. But, assuming you are using the calibre GUI, when the conversion is finished, the MOBI should be in the same location as the ePub. If you click on the book in the interface, and look in the book details pane, it will show the list of formats for the book. MOBI should be added to that list after the conversion.

As to other tools, no idea. Calibre has always works for my conversion needs, so I've really never look.

I have had one out of dozens of attempts succeed and, yes, it was in the same directory location. I have not seen anything that resembled an error message but, perhaps, I am not looking in the right place.

obieephyhm · 01-03-2018, 08:07 PM

I have not attempted it -- I had read somewhere that mobi was the preferred Kindle Voyage format.

obieephyhm · 01-03-2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredbiker

This may be a silly question, but do you have the "formats" column visible on the main screen?

I'll look. Not sure what difference that would make to the success of conversions.

Deskisamess · 01-03-2018, 08:26 PM

You don't go drilling down in the directories of your computer's file management to find the converted books from Calibre, (is that what you're doing?) unless you've intentionally used the Save to Disk option.

Have you connected the Kindle via USB and does Calibre see the device? If the answer is yes, after conversion, select the book and use the Send to Device option. Once you eject the Kindle, look in the Docs tab on the Kindle.

theducks · 01-03-2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obieephyhm

I have had one out of dozens of attempts succeed and, yes, it was in the same directory location. I have not seen anything that resembled an error message but, perhaps, I am not looking in the right place.

WHY are you looking in the folder? Calibre should be treated like a Black Box.
Calibre is a Librarian. Use the GUI and let it deliver the books to your device when needed.

BTW the Details (the book Icon in the lower corner) or I(nformation) pane show what formats Calibre has.

a failed conversion, will not be logged as available. You also need to review the conversion logs, when they do fail to know WHAT needs attention.

FizzyWater · 01-03-2018, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obieephyhm

I have not attempted it -- I had read somewhere that mobi was the preferred Kindle Voyage format.

I could be mixing things up, but I think MOBI is the one people use when they send files to Amazon using the email address. I used AZW3 on my Voyager pretty exclusively, and they worked just fine.

Another question - and we have to be careful about details - but are the books you are trying to convert DRM-free? Can you open them in the Calibre viewer to read?

You could be trying to convert ebooks containing digital rights management (DRM) in force. If so, you might have to check out the Apprentice Alf blog to get the plugs for removing that first.

deback · 01-04-2018, 02:37 PM

If I understand your problem correctly (that you can't find the converted mobi file), go into Preferences, Interface (at the top), Toolbars & Menus, choose Main Toolbar, then highlight "Open containing folder" at the left, hit the right arrow button to place it in the right column, and hit the appropriate buttons to close and save your new setting. Then you will have a button in the toolbar at the top of the main Calibre window to click on that will open Windows Explorer (aka File Explorer) that should contain your converted file.

BetterRed · 01-04-2018, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deback

If I understand your problem correctly (that you can't find the converted mobi file), go into Preferences, Interface (at the top), Toolbars & Menus, choose Main Toolbar, then highlight "Open containing folder" at the left, hit the right arrow button to place it in the right column, and hit the appropriate buttons to close and save your new setting. Then you will have a button in the toolbar at the top of the main Calibre window to click on that will open Windows Explorer (aka File Explorer) that should contain your converted file.

You can press 'O' to do the same thing.

BR

DoctorOhh · 01-04-2018, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obieephyhm

Case in point, I cannot get anything to convert from Epub to Mobi so I can read it on my kindle. I queue up job after job and everything I read says it ran fine but there isn't a single file produced (that I can find)

My understanding is you select an epub book then click convert books and choose to convert it to mobi by changing the output format. Then once the job stops and is no longer showing activity in the job queue (lower right corner) you are unable to find the mobi book.

When I convert a book from epub to mobi the new mobi book will show up immediately in the formats line of the Book details window, see attached. You can choose what shows in the Book details window by going to Preferences - Look & feel - Book details tab.

Also as previously described, after selecting a book, you can open the path to the folder for those formats (files) by clicking on the Click to open link (see attached) next to Path: in the Book Details window or by simply pressing the letter O while the book is selected (see attached).

If you click on the Jobs Queue (see attached) did the job finish or did it fail? If it failed click Show job details (see attached) and share the details with us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by obieephyhm

Is there any REALLY GOOD utility that does this besides the claim that calibre does it

Calibre is the "REALLY GOOD" utility for converting books from one format to another. I can see why you are frustrated. You are seemingly following easy procedures yet have been unable to find the output file. Once you figure out what is wrong with your system, set-up or assumptions converting books will be very easy.

deback · 01-05-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

You can press 'O' to do the same thing.

BR

Buttons are nice for those who tend to keep their hand on the mouse.

theducks · 01-05-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deback

Buttons are nice for those who tend to keep their hand on the mouse.

Right click: Open containing location

BTW you reall need a smaller mouse if you need both hands

01-03-2018, 07:05 PM	#1
obieephyhm Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: the great cold northland Device: Kindle Voyager/Paperwhite	Deeply bothered by Calibre (lack of) conversion I find Calibre to be extraordinarily frustrating because it is absolutely counter-intuitive to standard pc type utility operations. Case in point, I cannot get anything to convert from Epub to Mobi so I can read it on my kindle. I queue up job after job and everything I read says it ran fine but there isn't a single file produced (that I can find) so I keep trying different ways of finding files, marking them for conversion and attempting to convert them -- all to no avail. Is there any REALLY GOOD utility that does this besides the claim that calibre does it (when it doesn't actually seem to)? I just want to read my damn books without days and days of trying things that don't work.

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01-03-2018, 07:20 PM	#2
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	I've never had calibre not convert a file unless it also reported an error. But, assuming you are using the calibre GUI, when the conversion is finished, the MOBI should be in the same location as the ePub. If you click on the book in the interface, and look in the book details pane, it will show the list of formats for the book. MOBI should be added to that list after the conversion. As to other tools, no idea. Calibre has always works for my conversion needs, so I've really never look.

01-03-2018, 07:33 PM	#3
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Any reason you're not trying to convert ePub to AZW3, instead of MOBI? I believe it's a simpler conversion for Calibre, for one thing.

01-03-2018, 07:56 PM	#4
retiredbiker Evangelist Posts: 450 Karma: 3886916 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kindle KB, Oasis, Pop_Os!, Kobo Forma	This may be a silly question, but do you have the "formats" column visible on the main screen?

01-03-2018, 08:07 PM	#6
obieephyhm Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: the great cold northland Device: Kindle Voyager/Paperwhite	I have not attempted it -- I had read somewhere that mobi was the preferred Kindle Voyage format.

01-03-2018, 08:26 PM	#8
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,752 Karma: 45301087 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	You don't go drilling down in the directories of your computer's file management to find the converted books from Calibre, (is that what you're doing?) unless you've intentionally used the Save to Disk option. Have you connected the Kindle via USB and does Calibre see the device? If the answer is yes, after conversion, select the book and use the Send to Device option. Once you eject the Kindle, look in the Docs tab on the Kindle.

01-04-2018, 02:37 PM	#11
deback Book E d i t o r Posts: 432 Karma: 288184 Join Date: May 2015 Device: Laptop	If I understand your problem correctly (that you can't find the converted mobi file), go into Preferences, Interface (at the top), Toolbars & Menus, choose Main Toolbar, then highlight "Open containing folder" at the left, hit the right arrow button to place it in the right column, and hit the appropriate buttons to close and save your new setting. Then you will have a button in the toolbar at the top of the main Calibre window to click on that will open Windows Explorer (aka File Explorer) that should contain your converted file.

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