Splitting an ePub into 2 books?

Ghitulescu · 08-24-2016, 10:12 AM

I could not find any info on how to split an ePub containing 2 chapters/xhtml together with their associated files (like images) into two, or maybe alternatively how to copy/duplicate another instance of the book under a different name (then delete the not-needed chapters by hand).

Any ideas?

AnemicOak · 08-24-2016, 10:26 AM

Look for the ePub Split plug-in. Works great for quickly splitting one ePub into multiples. Once split you can open them with the editor if you need to do any tweaking.

Ghitulescu · 08-26-2016, 03:48 AM

Thanks I will see how it works

dwig · 08-26-2016, 11:56 AM

Calibre Editor could have better UI for this instead of the "a the bottom of a locked filing cabinet in a disused men's lavatory with a sign on the door 'beware of the leopard'" type of UI that it uses, but it has the ability to split the xHTML file.

Simply use the "secret handshake" of right-clicking anywhere on the xHTML code and select the "Split at multiple locations..." option from the resulting context menu. There is no other menu entry or default toolbar icon to indicate that this function is present. You then enter a RegEx or use the Wizard to create one. The downside is that you can't manually split at a single spot in any simple way. There will be splits at each and every place that meets the RegEx's definition.

You may find it desirable to use Preferences > Toolbars to add a toolbar icon to one or more of the toolbars to make finding this function a bit easier.

Terisa de morgan · 08-26-2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwig

Simply use the "secret handshake" of right-clicking anywhere on the xHTML code and select the "Split at multiple locations..." option from the resulting context menu. There is no other menu entry or default toolbar icon to indicate that this function is present. You then enter a RegEx or use the Wizard to create one. The downside is that you can't manually split at a single spot in any simple way. There will be splits at each and every place that meets the RegEx's definition.

Not exactly right. I split manually all the time, not with the wizard at all, using the icon in the preview window. Not the most obvious option? Perhaps, but it is there.

theducks · 08-26-2016, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

I could not find any info on how to split an ePub containing 2 chapters/xhtml together with their associated files (like images) into two, or maybe alternatively how to copy/duplicate another instance of the book under a different name (then delete the not-needed chapters by hand).

Any ideas?

Your thread title is confusing

Do you want 2, completely different Books (eg split apart an antology)
or do you want to break into smaller pieces a block of Chapters (sections)?

Note: PM a Calibre Mod to revise the title if you can't do it

dwig · 08-26-2016, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

Not exactly right. I split manually all the time, not with the wizard at all, using the icon in the preview window. Not the most obvious option? Perhaps, but it is there.

Thanks,

It's still obscure and is implemented oddly and even that odd implementation is poorly done. When you click the split icon there is no visible indication that something has happened, at least on MacOSX. The only hint that you may have engaged the "split mode" occurs if, and only if, you then hover over the preview text and the mysterious green bar appears. Since no other editing is done in the Preview windows, you can't even place a cursor there, it isn't intuitive that this one editing action can be done there. At the very least, the icon should change state when clicked so you can see that clicking has had some effect.

Thanks again. Now that I know its there and how it works I'm sure I'll use it with some frequency.

HarryT · 08-26-2016, 04:18 PM

If you simply want to split an ePub book into two (or more) pieces, the "EPubSplit" plugin is easy to use and works really, really well. I use it all the time to extract single books (or entire series') from Delphi "complete works" editions.

CRussel · 08-28-2016, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you simply want to split an ePub book into two (or more) pieces, the "EPubSplit" plugin is easy to use and works really, really well. I use it all the time to extract single books (or entire series') from Delphi "complete works" editions.

Yup, it works. I would perhaps prefer to have the functionality integral (and surfaced) to the Calibre Editor. Where I could highlight the HTML file(s) I wanted to split off, and a right-click or button and create new book(s). But until it gets added directly into the editor, EPubSplit will certainly do.

HarryT · 08-28-2016, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Yup, it works. I would perhaps prefer to have the functionality integral (and surfaced) to the Calibre Editor. Where I could highlight the HTML file(s) I wanted to split off, and a right-click or button and create new book(s). But until it gets added directly into the editor, EPubSplit will certainly do.

There I have to differ from you. I prefer to have it directly available from the main Calibre UI, which it is as a plugin, than to have to go to the editor first. I do of course use the editor a great deal, but this particular facility I prefer to have standalone.

BetterRed · 08-28-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There I have to differ from you. I prefer to have it directly available from the main Calibre UI, which it is as a plugin, than to have to go to the editor first. I do of course use the editor a great deal, but this particular facility I prefer to have standalone.

- I use epubsplit quite often, but I use mainly Sigil to do any editing. So for me having it shoehorned into the calibre editor would at best be an inconvenience. Besides which, the existence of the epubsplit plugin pre-dates the calibre editor by about 18 months.

@CRussel - you could try posting a request for a calibre editor plugin variant of the existing plugin in the epubsplit thread.

One issue that might make it non-trivial is that the existing plugin works within the context of a calibre library, whereas the calibre editor does not. The editor is a stand alone utility, with optional lightweight library integration

BR

theducks · 08-28-2016, 06:15 PM

Splitting a book into multiple books can be complex.
You need to haul all the supporting pieces along.
EPUB split, a specialized tool does that.

This may appear simple for books with a single stylesheet and 1 or 2 images.
But take an anthology with graphic chapter numbers (1 per chapter), and Not even the same used in the next story

(Let us just do a EPUB Merge and slap on a new cover...

kind of book)

Befort that tool, I made (renamed) copies and tediously deleted the bits I did not want (and prayed I got it right

)

08-24-2016, 10:12 AM	#1
Ghitulescu Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 403106 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: PRS-T1	Splitting an ePub into 2 books? I could not find any info on how to split an ePub containing 2 chapters/xhtml together with their associated files (like images) into two, or maybe alternatively how to copy/duplicate another instance of the book under a different name (then delete the not-needed chapters by hand). Any ideas?

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08-24-2016, 10:26 AM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Look for the ePub Split plug-in. Works great for quickly splitting one ePub into multiples. Once split you can open them with the editor if you need to do any tweaking.

08-26-2016, 03:48 AM	#3
Ghitulescu Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 403106 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: PRS-T1	Thanks I will see how it works

08-26-2016, 11:56 AM	#4
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718541 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	Calibre Editor could have better UI for this instead of the "a the bottom of a locked filing cabinet in a disused men's lavatory with a sign on the door 'beware of the leopard'" type of UI that it uses, but it has the ability to split the xHTML file. Simply use the "secret handshake" of right-clicking anywhere on the xHTML code and select the "Split at multiple locations..." option from the resulting context menu. There is no other menu entry or default toolbar icon to indicate that this function is present. You then enter a RegEx or use the Wizard to create one. The downside is that you can't manually split at a single spot in any simple way. There will be splits at each and every place that meets the RegEx's definition. You may find it desirable to use Preferences > Toolbars to add a toolbar icon to one or more of the toolbars to make finding this function a bit easier.

08-26-2016, 04:18 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you simply want to split an ePub book into two (or more) pieces, the "EPubSplit" plugin is easy to use and works really, really well. I use it all the time to extract single books (or entire series') from Delphi "complete works" editions.

08-28-2016, 06:15 PM	#12
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,909 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Splitting a book into multiple books can be complex. You need to haul all the supporting pieces along. EPUB split, a specialized tool does that. This may appear simple for books with a single stylesheet and 1 or 2 images. But take an anthology with graphic chapter numbers (1 per chapter), and Not even the same used in the next story (Let us just do a EPUB Merge and slap on a new cover... kind of book) Befort that tool, I made (renamed) copies and tediously deleted the bits I did not want (and prayed I got it right )

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