Can I use zip files store store additional files for a book?

qwertyuio · 12-31-2019, 05:41 AM

For some of my books I would like to keep some additional files with the books. These files include things like worksheets, files I downloaded from the authors website such as code listings, and my own notes. As calibre only allows one file per format, and renames the file, my solution is to zip up the extra files and add the the zip file as an extra format for the book. This seems to work well. I can open the zip file from calibre and open/add/remove files. My question is - is this safe to do? Does calibre care if I modify the format files in the library (I know I can't rename or move them)? Will calibre avoid modifying or processing these zip files in any way?

pdurrant · 12-31-2019, 05:52 AM

Or is there a better way to do what this member wants?

Adoby · 12-31-2019, 06:20 AM

I add a extra book to calibre. With the same cover, author and title, but with the addition " - supplemental files" to the title. And the supplemental files are in the form of a zip file. That way I don't risk the original file at all. And I am more likely to notice that there are supplemental files available.

I suspect that you could manually edit a epub and add the supplemental files into the epub, and possibly save them from inside the epub when reading. I suspect epub3 might allow this? I don't think calibre supports this. Or any of my ebook reader software. But it might be a nice feature.

theducks · 12-31-2019, 09:56 AM

Calibre associates certain file types, or creates them from any many file source.
Zip is what Calibre creates from a HTML source (like a Web page) to store all the needed pieces TOGETHER.
So Zip is out for a supplemental storage.
You can put other non-book type files in the folder by hand BUT it is dangerous. Check Library routine will flag them as errors and removal is a big risk. Copy to Library (and any rename) knows nothing about these, so they may become orphaned.

BetterRed · 12-31-2019, 01:16 PM

I would suggest using 7Z or RAR files rather than ZIPs for reasons outlined above.

You can create a book from any file type by dropping it into the book list, to add it to an existing book drop it into the Book Details panel. The Add Books drop down menu has actions to achieve the same results.

BR

qwertyuio · 12-31-2019, 06:04 PM

I just found this thread. Looks like zip files are fine for what I want to do. My only concern is does calibre care if I modify the zip files without re-adding the file to the library?

theducks · 12-31-2019, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwertyuio

I just found this thread. Looks like zip files are fine for what I want to do. My only concern is does calibre care if I modify the zip files without re-adding the file to the library?

You can update the file INSIDE the Library as long as you do NOT touch its name.
You can also replace the file (same format) by simply dropping it into the details pane for the book

12-31-2019, 05:41 AM	#1
qwertyuio Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: none	Can I use zip files store store additional files for a book? For some of my books I would like to keep some additional files with the books. These files include things like worksheets, files I downloaded from the authors website such as code listings, and my own notes. As calibre only allows one file per format, and renames the file, my solution is to zip up the extra files and add the the zip file as an extra format for the book. This seems to work well. I can open the zip file from calibre and open/add/remove files. My question is - is this safe to do? Does calibre care if I modify the format files in the library (I know I can't rename or move them)? Will calibre avoid modifying or processing these zip files in any way?

12-31-2019, 06:20 AM	#3
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	I add a extra book to calibre. With the same cover, author and title, but with the addition " - supplemental files" to the title. And the supplemental files are in the form of a zip file. That way I don't risk the original file at all. And I am more likely to notice that there are supplemental files available. I suspect that you could manually edit a epub and add the supplemental files into the epub, and possibly save them from inside the epub when reading. I suspect epub3 might allow this? I don't think calibre supports this. Or any of my ebook reader software. But it might be a nice feature. Last edited by Adoby; 12-31-2019 at 06:23 AM.

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12-31-2019, 05:52 AM	#2
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,948 Karma: 315160596 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	Or is there a better way to do what this member wants?

12-31-2019, 09:56 AM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,062 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Calibre associates certain file types, or creates them from any many file source. Zip is what Calibre creates from a HTML source (like a Web page) to store all the needed pieces TOGETHER. So Zip is out for a supplemental storage. You can put other non-book type files in the folder by hand BUT it is dangerous. Check Library routine will flag them as errors and removal is a big risk. Copy to Library (and any rename) knows nothing about these, so they may become orphaned.

12-31-2019, 01:16 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,729 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I would suggest using 7Z or RAR files rather than ZIPs for reasons outlined above. You can create a book from any file type by dropping it into the book list, to add it to an existing book drop it into the Book Details panel. The Add Books drop down menu has actions to achieve the same results. BR

12-31-2019, 06:04 PM	#6
qwertyuio Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2019 Device: none	I just found this thread. Looks like zip files are fine for what I want to do. My only concern is does calibre care if I modify the zip files without re-adding the file to the library?

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