Importing cover files?

thepauler · 08-31-2014, 03:42 PM

Sorry in advance for the second cry for help today...I'm on a weekend project

I'm importing a couple of thousand ebooks into my library and most have a cover file along with them. Since Calibre associates the filename "cover.jpg" with the ebook within the directory I'd like to pull the covers along with the files. Is there a way to do this without having to copy the covers over one-by-one?

Please say yes.

BetterRed · 08-31-2014, 07:40 PM

@thepauler - if the format files you just added have the covers embedded in them then you might be able to make use of Bulk metadata edit->Change cover->Set from ebook files.

BR

thepauler · 08-31-2014, 09:45 PM

Hi BR.

Unfortunately, that didn't work in this case because the initial files were plain text.

My solution: I cheated and renamed the artwork files as .docx (something I knew wouldn't' be used) and after the import I renamed all of them as cover.jpg. Then from the interface I deleted the .docx format, restarted Calibre and it was all good.

I just finished converting everything to .epub so I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the help!

BetterRed · 08-31-2014, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepauler

Hi BR.

Unfortunately, that didn't work in this case because the initial files were plain text.

My solution: I cheated and renamed the artwork files as .docx (something I knew wouldn't' be used) and after the import I renamed all of them as cover.jpg. Then from the interface I deleted the .docx format, restarted Calibre and it was all good.

I just finished converting everything to .epub so I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the help!

@thepauler - cute trick - I like it

BTW thanks for letting us know

BR

thepauler · 08-31-2014, 10:12 PM

You betcha! While trivial, one still needs a decent command of regex and other command line tools to make the rename changes.

Looks like technical literacy isn't a weakness around here though

eschwartz · 08-31-2014, 10:54 PM

Shouldn't you be able to use the second Adding books option to import folders as books where cover.jpeg metadata.opf and ebook formats go together? Assuming each cover and ebook was in a separate folder.

thepauler · 09-01-2014, 08:15 AM

In this particular case there were no metadata.opf files. Just text files and jpg...importing didn't copy over the jpg files for me.

eschwartz · 09-01-2014, 10:44 AM

Hmm, I would've thought it would use what was available even without a metadata.opf

jecilop · 09-01-2014, 07:20 PM

I have this shortcut answer as I use it A LOT when merging and bundling and making custom covers based off the existing covers.

If just wanting copies of covers that show in Calibre:
Save to Disk...

in Preferences go to Save to Disk
check off first box for "save cover separately".

Then pick the books and Save to disk (better to only save one format such as epub for speed). Then all cover jpegs are wherever you saved. You can easily delete the book files. The covers also name the same way the book file was set to name in the Save Template part in the preferences rather than as just "cover.jpg".

If you are asking about books that DO NOT SHOW COVERS when browsing the calibre library book details and only give the default book icon, you can set the covers from the ebook file (assuming it contains one) by using a batch Edit Metadata feature. It doesn't appear to work one at a time which is odd.
Add a blank, "junk" or "test" book if needed if you need to grab an extra book to do this feature or use one that already exists correctly.

Select Multiple Books
Edit Metadata
"Set from ebook file(s)" is near bottom right of window.
IF you are going to export this cover after doing this, you MUST use the Polish Plug-in to update the cover in the book so that this is never a problem again. I use this plug-in all the time for many reasons. It's great and easy.

If the book doesn't have a cover.jpg inside, then you will have to add it either by "download metadata" in the Edit Metadata feature OR get your own from the internet or you own files via Browse.
A note: you can drag and drop a jpeg from the internet to the book cover when in Edit Metadata mode. I've read you can also drag it onto the book details window or onto the details pane, but I've haven't been able to get that to work.

THEN, you can also use Save to Disk on these to get the covers as separate files as describe above.

This should do it. It is FAST and easy!

08-31-2014, 03:42 PM	#1
thepauler Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 9642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: iPad Min	Importing cover files? Sorry in advance for the second cry for help today...I'm on a weekend project I'm importing a couple of thousand ebooks into my library and most have a cover file along with them. Since Calibre associates the filename "cover.jpg" with the ebook within the directory I'd like to pull the covers along with the files. Is there a way to do this without having to copy the covers over one-by-one? Please say yes.

09-01-2014, 07:20 PM	#9
jecilop Addict Posts: 260 Karma: 139980 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Android	Easy way to export covers...or...get covers that don't show. I have this shortcut answer as I use it A LOT when merging and bundling and making custom covers based off the existing covers. If just wanting copies of covers that show in Calibre: Save to Disk... in Preferences go to Save to Disk check off first box for "save cover separately". Then pick the books and Save to disk (better to only save one format such as epub for speed). Then all cover jpegs are wherever you saved. You can easily delete the book files. The covers also name the same way the book file was set to name in the Save Template part in the preferences rather than as just "cover.jpg". If you are asking about books that DO NOT SHOW COVERS when browsing the calibre library book details and only give the default book icon, you can set the covers from the ebook file (assuming it contains one) by using a batch Edit Metadata feature. It doesn't appear to work one at a time which is odd. Add a blank, "junk" or "test" book if needed if you need to grab an extra book to do this feature or use one that already exists correctly. Select Multiple Books Edit Metadata "Set from ebook file(s)" is near bottom right of window. IF you are going to export this cover after doing this, you MUST use the Polish Plug-in to update the cover in the book so that this is never a problem again. I use this plug-in all the time for many reasons. It's great and easy. If the book doesn't have a cover.jpg inside, then you will have to add it either by "download metadata" in the Edit Metadata feature OR get your own from the internet or you own files via Browse. A note: you can drag and drop a jpeg from the internet to the book cover when in Edit Metadata mode. I've read you can also drag it onto the book details window or onto the details pane, but I've haven't been able to get that to work. THEN, you can also use Save to Disk on these to get the covers as separate files as describe above. This should do it. It is FAST and easy! Last edited by jecilop; 09-01-2014 at 07:25 PM. Reason: added comment

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08-31-2014, 07:40 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,671 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@thepauler - if the format files you just added have the covers embedded in them then you might be able to make use of Bulk metadata edit->Change cover->Set from ebook files. BR

08-31-2014, 09:45 PM	#3
thepauler Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 9642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: iPad Min	Hi BR. Unfortunately, that didn't work in this case because the initial files were plain text. My solution: I cheated and renamed the artwork files as .docx (something I knew wouldn't' be used) and after the import I renamed all of them as cover.jpg. Then from the interface I deleted the .docx format, restarted Calibre and it was all good. I just finished converting everything to .epub so I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the help!

08-31-2014, 10:12 PM	#5
thepauler Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 9642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: iPad Min	You betcha! While trivial, one still needs a decent command of regex and other command line tools to make the rename changes. Looks like technical literacy isn't a weakness around here though

08-31-2014, 10:54 PM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Shouldn't you be able to use the second Adding books option to import folders as books where cover.jpeg metadata.opf and ebook formats go together? Assuming each cover and ebook was in a separate folder.

09-01-2014, 08:15 AM	#7
thepauler Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 9642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: iPad Min	In this particular case there were no metadata.opf files. Just text files and jpg...importing didn't copy over the jpg files for me.

09-01-2014, 10:44 AM	#8
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Hmm, I would've thought it would use what was available even without a metadata.opf

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